Carlton Forge Works

Carlton Forge Works is an aerospace manufacturing company based in Paramount, California, whose principal specialty is the production of seamless rolled rings and related forged components. Founded in 1929, the company developed as a specialist forge shop serving demanding industrial markets in which component strength, dimensional consistency, metallurgical control, and traceability are important. Its products are used in rotating and structural applications, aircraft systems, land-based turbine engines, and other equipment for commercial and military aviation, gas-turbine, commercial-industrial, and nuclear customers. The company manufactures primarily through open-die forging and also produces selected parts through closed-die forging. Its work includes both ring forgings and other forged shapes made from ferrous and nonferrous alloys. Materials associated with its manufacturing capabilities include titanium, aluminum, iron, nickel- and cobalt-based alloys, stainless steels, carbon steels, copper, and lead, although nonferrous alloys have been an important part of the company's production profile. These materials can provide characteristics such as corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and relative ease of fabrication, depending on the alloy and application. Carlton's customer base has included major aerospace and industrial companies such as General Electric, United Technologies and its Pratt & Whitney business, Honeywell International, Rolls-Royce, GKN, MTU, Mitsubishi, and Samsung, as well as smaller customers. The company has supported large aerospace programs, including work associated with the Boeing 787 and Airbus aircraft, helping establish its role as a supplier of high-value forgings rather than a broad consumer-facing brand. Operationally, Carlton has maintained functions typical of a specialized industrial manufacturer, including sales, purchasing, accounting, production, engineering, manufacturing, metallurgy, and quality assurance. Its business has historically expanded and contracted with aerospace-industry cycles, and periods of weaker demand have reportedly included layoffs. Public company descriptions have placed its workforce at approximately 250 to 300 employees, although workforce figures can change and are not treated here as a current count. In 2009, Precision Castparts Corporation acquired Carlton Forge Works together with Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation, an Oxnard, California, hammer-forging operation. The transaction was intended to broaden PCC's forging capabilities and give it a more complete offering for existing aerospace customers. Carlton therefore became part of a larger industrial aerospace and metals platform while retaining its identity as a specialized forging operation. The available reference material does not establish a separate current corporate website, independent listing, current executive roster, or current employee total beyond the historical information described above.

Carlton Forge Works was founded in 1929 and became a long-standing specialist manufacturer in the aerospace forging sector. Its core business centered on producing seamless rolled rings and other forged components for applications where mechanical performance and metallurgical quality are critical. The company used open-die forging for much of its ring production and closed-die forging for selected parts. Its material capabilities covered a broad range of ferrous and nonferrous alloys, with nonferrous materials forming an important part of its production mix. Over time, Carlton served multiple industrial markets rather than relying on a single aircraft or engine program. Its products were used in rotating and structural applications, land-based turbine engines, commercial aircraft, military aviation, and other equipment associated with gas-turbine and nuclear industries. The company supplied major aerospace and industrial manufacturers, including General Electric, United Technologies and Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell International, Rolls-Royce, GKN, MTU, Mitsubishi, and Samsung. It also worked with smaller companies, indicating a supplier model built around specialized manufacturing capability rather than a mass-market product portfolio. The company's performance followed the broader aerospace cycle. Periods of industry expansion supported growth, while downturns produced contraction and, according to the available account, reported layoffs. Carlton was described as privately held before its acquisition and was associated with Allan Carlton as a previous owner. Public business listings cited in the reference material placed employment at roughly 250 to 300 people, though this is a historical estimate rather than a verified current figure. Carlton's organization included sales, purchasing, accounting, production, engineering, manufacturing, metallurgy, and quality functions. This structure reflects the specialized requirements of aerospace forging, where process engineering, alloy knowledge, inspection, and quality systems are closely connected to production. The company also participated in significant aerospace projects, including programs associated with the Boeing 787 and Airbus aircraft. In 2009, Precision Castparts Corporation acquired Carlton Forge Works in a reported transaction valued at approximately $850 million. The deal also included Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation, a hammer-forging business in Oxnard, California. PCC's stated rationale was to strengthen its forging platform, provide a fuller range of products to existing customers, and expand its ability to support aerospace projects. The acquisition placed Carlton within PCC's larger industrial portfolio. The reference material identifies PCC as Carlton's parent following the transaction but does not provide enough information to establish a separate current owner, executive roster, current financial results, or an independently verified present-day operating profile.

• 2009

  Acquisition by Precision Castparts Corporation

  [1]Carlton Forge Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Precision Castparts Corporation acquires Carlton Forge Works together with Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation in a reported approximately $850 million transaction designed to expand PCC's forging capabilities.

• 1929

  Carlton Forge Works is founded

  [1]Carlton Forge Worksen.wikipedia.org

  Carlton Forge Works begins operations as a forging manufacturer and later develops a specialization in aerospace and industrial components.

A specialist aerospace and industrial forge shop focused on high-quality seamless rolled rings and other metallurgically controlled forgings for demanding aviation, turbine, commercial-industrial, and nuclear applications.

• Aerospace and industrial forgings

  Seamless rolled rings

  Carlton's principal product category is seamless rolled rings made chiefly through open-die forging and related ring-manufacturing processes. These forgings are used in rotating and structural applications where controlled material properties and dimensional integrity are important. The rings support aerospace, turbine, commercial-industrial, and other demanding equipment programs.

• Forged metal components

  Open-die forgings

  Open-die forging is a major part of Carlton's manufacturing capability. The process is used to shape metal under controlled force without enclosing the workpiece in a fixed die cavity, making it suitable for large or specialized components and ring-related production. Carlton's open-die work has served aviation, turbine, and other industrial applications across ferrous and nonferrous alloy families.

• Aerospace forged parts

  Closed-die forged parts

  In addition to rolled rings and open-die products, Carlton produces selected forged parts through closed-die forging. This approach is suited to repeatable component geometries and can support aircraft, engine, and industrial applications requiring consistent shape and controlled metallurgy. The available references do not identify individual part numbers or consumer-facing product names.

• Aerospace components

  Rotating and structural components

  Carlton supplies forgings used in rotating and structural roles within aerospace and related equipment. The components can be manufactured from materials including titanium, aluminum, nickel- and cobalt-based alloys, stainless steels, carbon steels, and other metals selected for application-specific performance. Public descriptions do not provide a complete catalog of component designs.

• 2009

  PCC expands its forging platform through the Carlton acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Precision Castparts had sought Carlton Forge Works because of its participation in major aerospace projects and its established forging capabilities. The transaction also covered Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation, adding another forging operation.

  Action taken

  PCC acquired Carlton Forge Works and Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation in a reported approximately $850 million deal.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition broadened PCC's forging operations and was intended to let the company offer a wider range of products to existing aerospace customers.

  Reported transaction value. $850 million (2009)

  Source

1. 1Carlton Forge Worksen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Carlton Forge Works official websitecarltonforgeworks.com