FDH Aero, Trexon make acquisitions

US aircraft parts distributor FDH Aero has increased its presence in the defence supply chain by acquiring Calco Aerospace, which provides fasteners and other hardware to the military rotorcraft market, FDH announced on 4 January.

FDH purchased Calco from founders Charlie and Lisa Gralapp, who, along with vice-president Daniel Gralapp, will continue to lead operations at their Fort Worth, Texas-based business. Joining a larger company like FDH will improve Calco's ability to support its customers and continue growing, Daniel Gralapp said.

The acquisition is FDH's ninth since it was purchased by US-based Audax Private Equity in 2017.

Separately, US wire and cable manufacturer Trexon, which is also owned by Audax, announced on 4 January that it has expanded its military portfolio by acquiring Power Connector Inc (PCI), which makes power and audio connectors for handheld and mounted radio systems.

Nildeep Patel, president of Trexon's Engineered Products Division, said that Suffolk County, New York-based PCI will “benefit from our broad technical expertise, international sales force, and global footprint”. The combination “paves the way for a quicker time to market in support of the dynamic needs of the defence communication industry”, added PCI general manager Todd West.

Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed.