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Curtiss-Wright finds solenoid-maker Mechetronic attractive

01 October, 2008

The Curtiss-Wright Corporation has acquired the UK"s largest solenoid manufacturer, Bishop-Auckland-based Mechetronic, for $2.8m. The business will become part of Curtiss-Wright`s Motion Control business.

"The addition of Mechetronics expands Curtiss-Wright`s leadership in the supply of OEM solenoid design and manufacturing," says Curtiss-Wright’s chairman and chief executive, Martin Benante. "Mechetronics brings extensive experience in the design of industrial solenoids, including manufacturing in China, and complements our aerospace and defence solenoid businesses in North America and Europe."

Mechetronics, founded in 1918, employs 65 people and is expected to achieve sales this year worth $11m. Its products are used in applications such as business machines, switchgear and vehicle braking systems, and its customers include Mars, Hewlett Packard, Jaguar and GE. Mechetronics says that 88% of its top 50 customers have been trading with it for more than five years.

Mechetronics Laura Lee

Founded in 1918, Mechetronics has had several owners, including Warner Electric. It adopted its current name in 1994 and now occupies a 2,500m2 headquarters site in Bishop Auckland. It has logistics operations in the US and India and earlier this year started production in a new 550m2 facility in Zhuhai, China. The photo (above) shows the plant’s general manager, Laura Lee.

US-based Curtiss-Wright designs, manufactures and overhauls products for motion control and flow control applications, and provides a specialised metal treatment services. It employs around 7,600 people worldwide. Its motion controls division supplies niche motion products, subsystems and services globally, mainly to the aerospace and defence markets.




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