Spirit AeroSystems Chief Engineer to Lead Post-Boeing Acquisition
Deal News | Apr 23, 2025 | EIN
Boeing has revealed plans to appoint Sean Black as head of its Wichita, Kansas site and other Spirit AeroSystems facilities in the UK, following a planned acquisition completion in mid-2025. Black's extensive experience at Spirit AeroSystems and previous roles at BAE Systems and Airbus positions him as a suitable leader during this transition. Spirit AeroSystems currently supplies significant components for multiple Boeing aircraft, and this acquisition aims to enhance Boeing's production capabilities and align commercial systems. Concurrently, Spirit AeroSystems is divesting non-Boeing-related operations, with transaction agreements expected between Spirit AeroSystems and Airbus. The acquisition value aligns at $4.7 billion. Through this acquisition, Boeing seeks to stabilize its supply chain by integrating Spirit AeroSystems into its commercial production operations.
Sectors
- Aerospace and Defence
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Geography
- United States – Home of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems headquarters and significant operations in Wichita, Kansas.
- United Kingdom – Location of Spirit AeroSystems facilities involved in the acquisition.
- Continental Europe – Home to Airbus, a key player in the activities affecting Spirit AeroSystems divestment of select operations.
Industry
- Aerospace and Defence – The industry involving the manufacturing and production of aircraft, defense mechanisms, and related technology, relevant here as Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are major players in aerospace manufacturing.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – The process of consolidating companies or assets, relevant due to Boeing's ongoing acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, as well as financial agreements with Airbus.
Financials
- $4.7 billion – The value of Boeing's all-stock transaction to re-acquire Spirit AeroSystems.
- 4.2 billion – Net profit of Airbus for 2024, partially influenced by commercial aircraft deliveries.
- 2 ($2.28) per share – Dividend announced by Airbus during their annual shareholders meeting.
- 1 ($1.14) special dividend – Special dividend announced by Airbus.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing | Bidding Company | Company | A leading aerospace company in the process of acquiring Spirit AeroSystems. |
| Spirit AeroSystems | Target Company | Company | An aerospace company supplying major components for Boeing aircraft and target of acquisition by Boeing. |
| Airbus | Other Company | Company | Another major aerospace player involved in agreements with Spirit AeroSystems for divestment of non-Boeing operations. |
| Sean Black | Person | Person | Senior Vice President of Engineering and Research and Technology and CTO of Spirit AeroSystems, named to lead Wichita operations after Boeing acquisition. |
| Thomas Toepfer | Person | Person | CFO of Airbus, involved in negotiation communication regarding Spirit AeroSystems' divestment. |
| Brian West | Person | Person | Executive Vice President and CFO of Boeing, commenting on the integration with Spirit AeroSystems. |