60 jobs saved as MB Aerospace buys stricken Thomson Aero

MB Aerospace, the engineering company carved out of Motherwell Bridge in 2007, has acquired Thomson Aero of Somerset from the administrator for an undisclosed sum.

The deal saves 60 jobs at Thomson’s plant in Frome, adding extra capacity as MB Aerospace pushes further into markets abroad.

Like Lanarkshire-based MB, Thomson makes components for gas turbines. The Scottish firm now employs nearly 450.

The deal follows the December purchase of Gentz Industries of the US, which doubled the size of MB Aerospace.

Chief executive Craig Gallagher – in the US on business – said Thomson brought a complementary product mix that would support operations in the US and the UK, where MB Aerospace has additional facilities in Burnley and Derby. “The acquisition adds significant engineering capacity which will support the group to service global aerospace demand as the sector returns to growth,” he said.

The group’s customers include Boeing, GKN Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce. Annual sales are around $80 million (£50.5m).

MB Aerospace sold its nuclear arm in 2009 for £5.25m and its oil and gas operation for £8m last year. It was created through the buy-out of two businesses from Motherwell Bridge.