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Rolls-Royce's 1994 Allison Acquisition

Rolls-Royce has undergone significant acquisitions and divestments, including the purchase of Northern Engineering Industries in 1988 and Allison Engine Company in 1994, which expanded its engine portfolio. The company also acquired Vickers plc in 1999 and established joint ventures with BMW and Daimler, while divesting its energy gas turbine and commercial marine businesses in recent years. Additionally, Rolls-Royce has focused on its nuclear services and plans to build small modular reactors in the UK.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views4 pages

Rolls-Royce's 1994 Allison Acquisition

Rolls-Royce has undergone significant acquisitions and divestments, including the purchase of Northern Engineering Industries in 1988 and Allison Engine Company in 1994, which expanded its engine portfolio. The company also acquired Vickers plc in 1999 and established joint ventures with BMW and Daimler, while divesting its energy gas turbine and commercial marine businesses in recent years. Additionally, Rolls-Royce has focused on its nuclear services and plans to build small modular reactors in the UK.

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Abhishek Trivedi
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Acquisitions

[edit]
Northern Engineering Industries / broken up and sold
In 1988, Rolls-Royce acquired Northern Engineering
Industries (NEI), based in the North East of England, a group of
heavy engineering companies mainly associated with electrical
generation and power management. The group included Clarke
Chapman (cranes), Reyrolle (now part of Siemens)
and Parsons (now part of Siemens steam turbines). The company
was renamed Rolls-Royce Industrial Power Group. It was sold off
piecemeal over the next decade as the company re-focused on its
core aero-engine operations following the recession of the early
1990s.[40]

Allison Engine Company/Rolls-Royce Corporation


On 21 November 1994, Rolls-Royce announced its intention to
acquire the Allison Engine Company, an American manufacturer of
gas turbines and components for aviation, industrial and marine
engines.[41] The two companies had a technical association dating
back to the Second World War. Rolls-Royce had previously tried to
buy the company when General Motors sold it in 1993, but GM
opted for a management buyout instead for $370 million. Owing
to Allison's involvement in classified and export restricted
technology, the 1994 acquisition was subject to investigation to
determine the national security implications.[42] On 27 March
1995, the US Department of Defense announced that the "deal
between Allison Engine Co. and Rolls-Royce does not endanger
national security."[43] Rolls-Royce was, however, obliged to set up
a proxy board to manage Allison and had also to set up a separate
company, Allison Advanced Development Company, Inc., to
manage classified programmes "that involve leading-edge
technologies" such as the Joint Strike Fighter programme.[43] In
2000, this restriction was replaced by a more flexible Special
Security Arrangement.[44] In 2001, Rolls-Royce and
its LiftSystem was among the group that won the JSF contract for
the F-35.[45]

The Allison acquisition, at $525 million (equivalent to


£328 million),[41] brought four new engine types into the Rolls-
Royce civil engine portfolio on seven platforms and several light
aircraft applications. Allison is now known as Rolls-Royce
Corporation, part of Rolls-Royce North America.[46]

Vickers/Vinters
In 1999 Rolls-Royce acquired Vickers plc for its marine
businesses.[47] The portion retained is now Vinters Engineering
Limited. Rolls-Royce sold Vickers Defence Systems (the other major
Vickers area of business) to Alvis plc in 2002.[48]

BMW joint venture / Rolls-Royce Deutschland


Rolls-Royce has established a leading position in the corporate
and regional airline sector through the development of the Tay
engine, the Allison acquisition and the consolidation of the BMW
Rolls-Royce joint venture. In 1999, BMW Rolls-Royce was renamed
Rolls-Royce Deutschland and became a 100% owned subsidiary of
Rolls-Royce plc.[49]

SAIC joint venture / Optimized Systems and Solutions


Optimized Systems and Solutions Limited (formerly known as Data
Systems & Solutions) was founded in 1999 as a joint venture
between Rolls-Royce plc and Science Applications International
Corporation (SAIC). In early 2006, SAIC exited the joint venture
agreement, making Rolls-Royce plc the sole owner.[50]

Tognum joint venture with Daimler / Rolls-Royce Power Systems


Holding GmbH
In March 2011, Rolls-Royce and Daimler AG launched a
$4.2 billion public tender offer for 100 per cent of the share
capital of Tognum AG, the owner of MTU Friedrichshafen – a
leading high-speed industrial and marine diesel engine
manufacturer, which was completed using a 50:50 joint venture
company.[51] Rolls-Royce and Daimler AG intend that the joint
venture company, which also now incorporates Rolls-Royce's
existing Bergen engine business, is listed on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange.[51]

Aero Engine Controls / Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services

Following the acquisition of Goodrich by United Technologies


Corporation in July 2012, Rolls-Royce announced it would
purchase Goodrich's 50% share of Aero Engine Controls to become
wholly owned by Rolls-Royce.[52]

At the June 2019 Paris Air Show, Rolls-Royce announced its


acquisition of Siemens' electric propulsion branch (while they are
partners on the E-Fan X demonstrator), to be completed in late
2019, employing 180 in Germany and Hungary.[53]

Divestment
[edit]
Energy gas turbine and compressor business
[edit]

In May 2014, Rolls-Royce sold its energy gas turbine and


compressor business to Siemens for £785 million.[54]

Commercial marine business


[edit]

In July 2018, Rolls-Royce sold its commercial marine business


to Kongsberg for £500 million.[55]

Nuclear services businesses


[edit]
In September 2019, Rolls-Royce agreed to sell its civil nuclear
services businesses in the U.S., Canada, Mondragon France, and
Gateshead UK to the Westinghouse Electric Company for an
undisclosed sum. These businesses had a revenue of $70 million and
about 500 employees in 2018. Rolls-Royce is keeping its nuclear
new build and small modular reactor (SMR) business in the
UK.[56] In November 2020, the company announced plans to build
up to 16 Rolls-Royce SMR nuclear plants across the UK, continuing
its nuclear division operations.[57] In December 2020 Rolls-Royce
announced it would sell other foreign parts of its civil nuclear
instrumentation and control business to Framatome as part of its
post-COVID recovery plan, completing the deal involving over 550
employees in November 2021.[58][59]

Major sales
[edit]
Airbus A380
In 1996, Rolls-Royce and Airbus signed a memorandum of
understanding, specifying the Trent 900 as the engine of choice for
the then A3XX, now the Airbus A380.[60] However, the Engine
Alliance GP7000 would ultimately also be offered as an option on
the A380.[61]

In October 2006, Rolls-Royce suspended production of its Trent


900 engine because of delays by Airbus on the delivery of
the A380 superjumbo. Rolls-Royce announced in October 2007
that production of the Trent 900 had been restarted after a
twelve-month suspension caused by delays to the A380.[62]

Common questions

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The partnership between Rolls-Royce and Daimler AG to acquire Tognum AG in 2011 created a powerful synergy by combining Daimler's automotive expertise with Rolls-Royce's capabilities in engine technology. This acquisition expanded the joint venture's market access, incorporating Rolls-Royce's Bergen engine business and targeting high-speed industrial and marine diesel engines. It also laid groundwork for future public listing aspirations on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, showcasing the strategic intent to blend capabilities for mutual growth .

Rolls-Royce's decision to sell its energy gas turbine and compressor business to Siemens in 2014 for £785 million was part of a broader strategic realignment focusing on core areas, such as aerospace and power systems. Financial pressures and a need to enhance operational efficiency and reinvest in more profitable units prompted this divestment. It aligned with Rolls-Royce's strategy to focus resources on sectors with higher growth potential and profitability .

The acquisition of Siemens' electric propulsion branch in 2019 aligned with Rolls-Royce's strategic vision of transitioning towards sustainable aviation technology. By acquiring Siemens' expertise in electric propulsion, Rolls-Royce aimed to innovate and lead in the developing market for electrified air travel, aligning with broader industry trends towards reducing environmental impact. This move represented an investment in future aviation technologies and demonstrated Rolls-Royce's commitment to advancing its knowledge and capabilities in green technology solutions .

The acquisition of Northern Engineering Industries in 1988 and its subsequent divestment in the early 1990s exemplified Rolls-Royce's strategic pivot from industrial power activities towards its core aero-engine operations. This shift was driven by the economic pressures following the early 1990s recession and the need to consolidate and focus on more profitable business areas. Selling off parts of NEI allowed Rolls-Royce to streamline its operations and concentrate resources on strengthening its aero-engine business .

Rolls-Royce's decision to take full ownership of Optimized Systems and Solutions by exiting the joint venture with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in 2006 reflected a strategy to consolidate control over proprietary data solutions crucial for its operations. By becoming the sole owner, Rolls-Royce enhanced its capacity to directly influence technological developments pertinent to aerospace and energy systems, streamlining decision-making processes and aligning technology advancements more closely with its long-term strategic goals .

Rolls-Royce's involvement in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme had profound impacts, necessitating the establishment of Allison Advanced Development Company for managing classified projects. It resulted in legal and operational adaptations, such as the creation of a proxy board to supervise Allison, highlighting its commitment to adhere to US national security requirements. This involvement strengthened Rolls-Royce's aerospace capabilities and positioned it strategically in defense contracts, leading to further developments like the Special Security Arrangement facilitating classified work .

Converting the BMW-Rolls-Royce joint venture into Rolls-Royce Deutschland in 1999 allowed Rolls-Royce to gain full control over the entity, facilitating better alignment with its corporate strategy. This transformation bolstered Rolls-Royce's market position in the corporate and regional airline sector, leveraging the development of the Tay engine and integrating German engineering excellence directly into its operations, thus enhancing product offerings and expanding its influence in the aviation market .

The acquisition of the Allison Engine Company provided Rolls-Royce with significant strategic advantages, including the expansion of its civil engine portfolio with four new engine types, involvement in classified programmes such as the Joint Strike Fighter programme, and enhanced capabilities in aviation, industrial, and marine engine components. Furthermore, this acquisition facilitated Rolls-Royce's re-entry into the American market and reinforced its position as a leading aero-engine manufacturer .

Rolls-Royce's decision to retain its nuclear new build and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) business in the UK, while divesting its civil nuclear services abroad, was driven by strategic national interests and market potential for innovative nuclear solutions within the UK. Retaining control over SMR technologies allowed Rolls-Royce to leverage domestic engineering capabilities and government support for advancing nuclear infrastructure, focusing on developing competitive advantages in safer and scalable nuclear energy, which aligns with the UK's future energy strategy .

Rolls-Royce faced significant production challenges due to delayed Airbus A380 superjumbo deliveries, resulting in a year-long suspension of its Trent 900 engine production in 2006. This disruption posed financial and reputational risks, compelling the company to carefully manage supply chain and production schedules. Rolls-Royce resumed production in October 2007 once Airbus addressed the delays, ensuring availability to meet airline demands while mitigating potential financial losses through strategic planning and resource allocation .

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