Marshall Aerospace is delighted to announce the acquisition of Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd as of January 1st 2010. Terms were not disclosed.

Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd is a specialist in the design and manufacture of high technology composite structures for aerospace, marine and rail industries. With over 130 employees, Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd has operations at Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire and at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire.

This acquisition enhances Marshall Aerospace's position as one of the UK's leading design, manufacturing and engineering companies in the aerospace industry. The existing strength of Marshall Aerospace in metal aerospace structures is now complemented with composite technology which is increasingly used in both civil and military aerospace applications.

With over 1700 employees, Marshall Aerospace provides the complete design, manufacture, and test of aerospace components, whilst providing specialised project management for complex aerospace structures, assemblies and systems. Based at its airport in Cambridge, the Company works closely with all the major aircraft OEM's and has a strong reputation in the development of light weight fuel tank solutions.

Commenting on the acquisition, Martin Broadhurst, Chief Executive of Marshall Aerospace, said: "The future is undoubtedly very exciting and I believe that Slingsby's capabilities in composites will strongly complement those of Marshall Aerospace. The combined forces of both companies will establish a benchmark in the aerostructures engineering industry. This is one of the most important acquisitions that the Company has ever undertaken and it is appropriate that it should come at the start of the Company's 101st year of operation with our focus firmly on the future."