The Textron Specialized Vehicles group of Textron, through Textron Ground Support Equipment UK, has acquired the Douglas Equipment business from Curtiss-Wright Flow Control (UK), a subsidiary of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Douglas Equipment is a manufacturer of ground support equipment (GSE) in the aviation industry, based in Cheltenham, UK.
Douglas Equipment will operate as part of Textron Specialized Vehicles’ companies’ GSE business, which also includes TUG Technologies, a leading manufacturer of ground support equipment based in Kennesaw, Georgia, USA. Douglas Equipment is a strong fit for the Textron Specialized Vehicles group, as Douglas’ specialization in towbarless and conventional aircraft tractors and runway friction measurement systems complements TUG Technologies’ leadership in baggage and tow tractors, pushbacks, belt loaders, ground power units, air-starts, and mobile HVAC units.
Douglas will continue to operate from its UK facilities in Cheltenham and Poole, UK, with its workforce of more than 90 employees intact. The Douglas brand will join the Textron Specialized Vehicles companies’ stable of brands alongside TUG, E-Z-GO, Cushman, and Bad Boy Buggies.
“We are excited to welcome Douglas to the Textron Specialized Vehicles family and to our ground support equipment business,” said Kevin Holleran, president of the Textron Specialized Vehicles group of Textron Inc. “The acquisition of Douglas and its unique brand and products, only a few months after our acquisition of TUG last spring, demonstrates our commitment to the GSE industry and our many customers.”
“Douglas brings to the Textron Specialized Vehicles group a strong European base, pioneering product lines, and a proven track record in the GSE industry,” said Stefaan Ver Eecke, vice president and general manager, GSE for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “Those advantages, combined with Textron’s resources and operational expertise, make for an exciting future to help accelerate our growth and expansion in the GSE sector.”
To read our 2013 in-depth interview with the then-MD of Douglas Equipment, Ron Cowley, please click the image above.
