Fairbanks Morse Defense Acquires Research Tool & Die

Defense contractor elevates its offerings of turnkey solutions with addition of electric hardware components manufacturer

BELOIT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (“Arcline”), has acquired Research Tool & Die (RT&D), a privately owned manufacturer of marine electrical-systems hardware based in Carson, California. RT&D products secure and support cables and wires throughout naval ships. This acquisition adds to FMD’s expanding portfolio of turnkey solutions.

“Over the last few years, FMD has broadened the scope of our product offerings to our valued customers through the acquisition of best-in-class marine manufacturers like Research Tool & Die,” said FMD CEO George Whittier. “The global mission to defend our nation’s freedom is non-stop and requires a service partner who is up to the task, and RT&D puts FMD in an even better position to meet the needs of our customers while we support the mission of our military and marine partners.”

Founded in 1944, RT&D is a supplier of critical electrical hardware to the United States Navy and Canadian Navy. The company operates from two manufacturing facilities on its campus in Carson, California. It designs and manufactures its hardware products, including wireways, cable trays, racking systems, and light supports, and sells its products directly to naval shipyards.

“FMD has a prestigious reputation as a top-of-the-line defense contractor for clients that RT&D also serves,” said RT&D President Kevin Perrault. “This merger makes perfect sense. Our companies are forward-thinking and well-positioned to provide top-tier parts and services to our customers.”

This acquisition represents a pivotal addition to FMD’s ongoing mission to build, maintain, and service the most trusted naval power and propulsion systems on the planet. In line with the acquisition of RT&D, FMD has also recently made acquisitions to its brand family to boost its capabilities with manufacturing and service providers, including Maxim Watermakers, Federal Equipment Company (FEC), Hunt Valve Company, Ward Leonard, and Welin Lambie.

PMCF served as financial advisor to FMD.

About Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD)

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) builds, maintains, and services the most trusted naval power and propulsion systems on the planet. For more than 100 years, FMD has been a principal supplier of a growing array of leading marine technologies, OEM parts, and turnkey services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. FMD stands ready to rapidly support the systems that power military fleets without compromising safety or quality. In times of peace and war, the experienced engineers, sailors, and technicians of FMD demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mission and vision of critical global naval operations wherever and whenever needed. FMD is a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management.

About Research Tool & Die (RT&D)

Research Tool & Die Works (RT&D) is a manufacturing company with over 70 years of experience in electrical-systems hardware design and metal stamping fabrication. Skilled tool and die makers, design engineers, and production personnel have combined to build a distinguished reputation for quality products and have established RT&D as a leader in developing innovative designs and manufacturing processes. RT&D has obtained over thirty domestic and foreign patents on products and tooling techniques.

To learn more, visit www.FairbanksMorseDefense.com.