Industry Week in Review – October 21, 2011
Deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s death Thursday will bring significant change to the people of Libya, however it may also bring transformation to how the U.S. engages in future conflict. Defense experts are pointing to the quick planning, small footprint, and limited duration utilized by NATO during the eight month involvement in Libya as the new template for military intervention. “The days of strategic warning, watching forces mobilize, stage, and move are gone,” said a senior defense official. “We will need the capability to respond on very short notice in geographic areas where we have little or no infrastructure.
In contrast to past engagements, the U.S. initially led the alliance during the opening days of the conflict, but then moved to more of a support role, quickly handing responsibility and most airstrikes over to European forces.
Future interventions may not look the same as Libya, potentially involving less airpower and more special operations troops on the ground, however the common elements will stay the same: a small footprint combined with little time to plan the mission. And, as the eight month conflict in Libya cost the U.S. just over $1 billion dollars, compared to the nearly $1 trillion dollar price tag of the eight years spent in Iraq, collective action could gain further support from voters.
Big Movers
Safran SA (Down 12.6%) – Shares fell this week, despite a 5.2% gain in 3Q2011sales to roughly $3.8 billion, after demand for spare parts came in at the bottom end of Safran’s forecast for the full year of 10 percent to 15 percent.
EADS (Down 11.2%) – Shares fell this week after British Airways’ CEO stated that China’s new single-aisle plane design represents a serious competitor to Airbus SAS
Relevant Transactions
The Parsons Corporation to acquire Cobham Analytic Solutions, a manufacturer of weapon, tactical, and space systems, missiles, and network-centric warfare, for $350 million. The acquisition enhances Parsons’ ability to offer mission-oriented technical and professional services to new and existing customers in the U.S. national security marketplace
AAR Corp to acquire two businesses of Teleflex Incorporated, Telair International GmbH, a manufacturer of cargo-loading systems for passenger and cargo jets, and Nordisk Aviation Products, a producer of pallets and cargo containers for airlines, for $280 million. AAR Corp expects the acquisitions of Telair and Nordisk to add over $225 million to revenue and Teleflex chief executive Benson Smith said in a separate statement that the deal was part of the company’s strategy to transform from a cyclical, diversified-industrial conglomerate into a pure-play medical technology company.
