Swift Aerospace completes sale to Clarendon Specialty Fasteners

Swift Aerospace has concluded its sale to Clarendon Specialty Fasteners, part of Diploma. RSM advised on the sale in the industrials sector.

With operations across the UK, Europe and Asia, Swift Aerospace is a global aerospace distributor of approved fasteners and hardware. The firm has over 30 years of experience supplying products and services to some of the industry’s largest original equipment manufacturers, and has built a reputation as the distributor of choice for hard-to-source, specialist components.

Headquartered in Royal Wooton Bassett, Clarendon Specialty Fasteners is a leading supplier and distributor of fastening systems to manufacturers in the aerospace, defence and motorsport industries. It is owned by Diploma, a FTSE 100 company with 3,400 employees across 17 businesses across the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia.

The investment of Clarendon in Swift Aerospace will enable the combined business to broaden its product range, deepen supply-chain resilience and enhance global service capabilities. Swift Aerospace’s international footprint and specialist product focus complement Clarendon’s existing offering and support Diploma’s growth strategy.

Rupert Gerber, former owner of Swift Aerospace, added: “I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last 33 years and look forward to seeing all that the business achieves moving forward.”

RSM’s UK team advised Gerber in the transaction, led by deal services partner Ian Wherry and director David Rowlinson. The pair worked alongside Grace Cox, Tom Faulks and Lewis Dyer to deliver the deal.

Wherry noted that Swift Aerospace’s integration into Clarendon and the wider Diploma group “creates a strong platform for continued growth”. He also said the firm was “pleased to have supported the shareholder in achieving a successful outcome”. On that outcome, Wherry added, “I would like to thank RSM’s Deals team for their expert guidance and tenacity during the transaction. Their support was valuable, and played an important role in helping achieve a successful outcome. The team brought professionalism and experience, making a complex process achievable.”