GKN Aerospace Services (GB-Surrey GU9 8QL; www.aero.gknplc.com) is now the world´s leading supplier of canopies and windows to the military aircraft market following its USD 67.5m acquisition of Pilkington Aerospace (www.pilkingron.com). The purchase, which is subject to regulatory approval, also gives it the number two position in the civil aircraft market.

Aircraft canopies and windows, technically known as transparencies, are manufactured in glass, acrylic and polycarbonate. The GKN transparencies facility forms part of its Special Products business and is based in Luton, England, where there are 280 staff. It supplies transparencies for the Eurofighter Typhoon and has contracts to develop and supply transparencies for the FA-22 Raptor and the F-16 Falcon. The Pilkington operation employs 540 people on its two principal sites in Los Angeles, USA, and Kings Norton, England, but it also has two smaller activities in Brazil and Thailand. Its products are used in the FA-18 and C-17 military aircraft and all Boeing civil aircraft.

Neal Keating, managing director, GKN Aerospace Services, says the Pilkington acquisition fits perfectly with his company´s ambition to be a world leader in primary aerospace markets. GKN already is the world´s leading independent supplier of advanced composite structures to the military and civil aircraft market.