Rockwell Collins buying avionics company ARINC for $1.39 billion

Rockwell Collins announced Sunday that it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase ARINC Inc., a leader in communications and information processing solutions for the commercial aviation industry, for $1.39 billion.

ARINC, owned by the Carlyle Group, is expected to post 2103 revenues in excess of $600 million. When completed, the deal will shift the balance of Rockwell Collins business to roughly 54 percent commercial and 46 percent government.

"Strategically this acquisition is a natural fit for Rockwell Collins," said Kelly Ortberg, Rockwell Collins president and chief executive officer in a prepared statement.

"It accelerates our strategy to develop comprehensive information management solutions by building on our existing information-enabled products and systems and ARINC's ground–based networks and services to further expand our opportunities beyond the aircraft."

Ortberg, in a July 30 interview with The Gazette, said Rockwell Collins would continue to look for "bolt-on" acquisitions that would be a good fit for the Cedar Rapids-based avionics and communications equipment supplier.

ARINC is involved with the entire aviation system, including pilots, operators, maintenance, passengers, controllers, regulators, security and airport operations. The Annapolis, Md., company, with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, also provides communications and information processing for the rail, industrial security and public safety segments.

The deal is subject to the usual regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. It is expected to be accretive to earnings per share once certain transaction and integration costs have been incurred.