STI acquires Airbus Defence and Space's Poynton facility
The Poynton site – 12 miles from Manchester city centre – was a part of the Terminals and Products activity of Airbus Defence and Space, producing microwave components and naval terminals for fixed and mobile communications. Going forward, its primary responsibilities will be the management of the spares and repairs activity for the terminals of the Skynet 5 satellite communications system.
Airbus Defence and Space remains as prime contractor under the contract for the UK MoD. The financial details of the acquisition are not being disclosed.
Evert Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence & Security at Airbus Defence and Space said: “After a worldwide strategic review of our operations, we have decided to outsource a number of activities. We have concluded that the repairs activity for satcom terminals can be better handled in cooperation with a specialist manufacturer like STI.”
The workforce of 51 people will become part of STI, a successful UK company that has built its reputation over 25 years serving prime contractors in the defence and aerospace sectors in advanced electronics.
Simon Best, STI Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be partnering Airbus Defence and Space in the Skynet 5 programme and associated activities and are looking forward to integrating the hugely experienced workforce at Poynton into our company. We have wanted to build a spares and repairs business for a number of years and see plenty of opportunities to attract other customers to this platform where we have the security of a world-class anchor customer and plenty of room to expand.
"The skills and expertise in Poynton bring new capabilities to STI’s traditional areas of know-how in advanced PCB assembly and box-build manufacturing, including RF testing, complex wiring, heavy metalwork and working with advanced materials such as carbon fibre. We also plan to use the large secure warehousing space to create a second delivery hub with our facility in Hook, Hampshire, and to expand our customer footprint significantly into the vibrant Midlands and North West areas of the UK.”
