So 2013 turned out to be a good one for Textron.
By buying Beechcraft for $1.4 billion, Textron will end up with a
unique portfolio of aircraft ranging from single-engine Caravans
and Skycatchers, through King Airs, right up to Citation jets. Just
as significantly it adds an installed fleet of 36,000 aircraft that
need support. Textron will actually be responsible for supporting
the majority of business aircraft flying today.
The acquisition is not expected to close until mid-2014, so it is
unclear how Beechcraft will fit into Textron (although it does look
set to combine the Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft service divisions).
Whilst the acquisition makes Beechcraft's future safer,
unfortunately it is also means more uncertainty for Beech employees
who have already been through several tough years.
