Esterline
A former aerospace and defense supplier specializing in avionics, controls, sensors, connectors, advanced materials, and electronic-warfare equipment.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Esterline was a United States aerospace and defense manufacturing company whose businesses supplied specialized equipment to commercial-aircraft manufacturers, military forces, defense contractors, and other industrial customers. The company became particularly associated with cockpit controls, avionics displays, aircraft connectors, sensors, thermal-management products, engineered elastomers, combat communications equipment, and electronic-warfare countermeasures. Its customers and end users included major commercial aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, as well as the United States and allied armed forces. The business originated in 1906 when electrical engineer John Esterline established a company making magnets and recording devices. After Esterline began working with Donald J. Angus, the company became known as the Esterline-Angus Company. Its corporate direction changed repeatedly during the twentieth century. A 1967 merger with Boyar-Schultz, a manufacturer of surface-grinding materials, produced Esterline Corporation, which went public in 1968. Later in 1968, the acquisition of Babcock Electronics provided an entry into aerospace and defense. Esterline subsequently diversified into healthcare products, including ophthalmic equipment and hearing aids, but disposed of most of those operations by the late 1970s. A major restructuring followed disappointing financial results in 1987. The board replaced the executive team, appointed managers associated with aerospace manufacturer Criton Technologies, and moved the company from Darien, Connecticut, to Bellevue, Washington. In 1989, Esterline bought back Dyson-Kissner-Moran's remaining stake and acquired Criton's aerospace and defense operations in a transaction reported at $147.5 million. The company adopted the Esterline Technologies name and gradually concentrated on specialized aerospace and defense products. During the 1990s and early 2000s it expanded through numerous acquisitions while selling activities that no longer supported the strategic focus. The acquisition program added capabilities across aircraft controls, seals, engineered rubber, input devices, avionics, electronic warfare, connectors, thermal systems, and military communications. Important transactions included the former BAE Systems North American electronic-warfare countermeasures business in 2002, Leach International in 2004, Darchem Holdings in 2005, Wallop Defence in 2006, CMC Electronics in 2007, Racal Acoustics in 2009, Eclipse Electronic Systems in 2010, Souriau in 2011, Joslyn Sunbank in 2013, and Barco's defense and aerospace division in 2015. By 2005, aerospace and defense reportedly represented about 80 percent of company revenue, compared with 17 percent in 1995. Esterline organized its operations into Avionics & Controls, Sensors & Systems, and Advanced Materials. Its widely recognized Korry product line supplied illuminated switches, control devices, and related cockpit equipment used in airliners and flight simulators. The company also served military communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications through products such as secure communications equipment, acoustic headsets, signal-intelligence hardware, countermeasure flares, and aircraft-dispensable chaff. Curtis Reusser was chairman, president, and chief executive during the company's final period as an independent public company. TransDigm completed its acquisition of Esterline Technologies Corporation on March 14, 2019. Following the transaction, Esterline ceased to operate as an independent publicly traded company, and its businesses became part of TransDigm's aerospace components and systems portfolio.
History
Esterline's roots date to 1906, when John Esterline, an electrical engineer and former head of electrical engineering at Purdue University, founded a company producing magnets and recording devices. Collaboration with Donald J. Angus led to the Esterline-Angus name. In 1967, Esterline-Angus merged with Boyar-Schultz, a producer of surface-grinding materials, and the combined company became Esterline Corporation. It went public in 1968 and entered aerospace and defense that same year through the acquisition of Babcock Electronics. During the late 1960s and 1970s, Esterline diversified into medical supplies and equipment, including ophthalmic products and hearing aids. Most of the healthcare activities were sold by 1978. The company continued acquiring businesses in different fields and had added roughly 20 companies by 1986, but poor financial results led to a sweeping management change in 1987. The board dismissed the executive team, including chief executive Thomas Howes, and installed senior managers connected with Criton Technologies, an aerospace manufacturer owned by Dyson-Kissner-Moran. Carroll Martenson became chairman and chief executive. Esterline also relocated from Darien, Connecticut, to Bellevue, Washington, sharing a headquarters location with Criton. In 1989, Esterline acquired Dyson-Kissner-Moran's remaining 23 percent interest and Criton's aerospace and defense businesses for a reported combined consideration of $147.5 million. The company was renamed Esterline Technologies and began systematically selling underperforming or strategically unrelated operations. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, it pursued a focused acquisition strategy in aerospace and defense. Between 1997 and 2003 it acquired 22 companies, adding capabilities in hydraulic controls, aerospace seals, engineered elastomers, custom keyboards, multifunction input systems, and European aircraft components. The company accelerated its specialization through a series of acquisitions. In 2002 it purchased BAE Systems' North American electronic-warfare countermeasures business, including facilities producing aircraft-dispensable chaff and flares. Leach International was acquired in 2004 for a reported $145 million, followed by Darchem Holdings in 2005 and Wallop Defence in 2006. CMC Electronics, a Canadian avionics company, joined Esterline in 2007 in a transaction reported at $335 million. Racal Acoustics expanded the portfolio into combat communications in 2009, while Eclipse Electronic Systems added signal- and communications-intelligence hardware in 2010. Esterline bought Souriau, a French aerospace and defense connector manufacturer, in 2011 for a reported $715 million. Leadership changed several times as the company expanded. Wendell Hurlbut succeeded Martenson in 1992, Robert Cremin succeeded Hurlbut in 1999, and R. Bradley Lawrence became chief executive in 2009. Curtis Reusser, formerly president of United Technologies' aircraft systems business, became chief executive in 2013. Under Reusser, Esterline acquired Joslyn Sunbank in 2013 and Barco's defense and aerospace division in 2015. It later announced the Spidle advanced-displays site in Kortrijk, Belgium, in 2017. At the end of its independent history, Esterline operated through three principal segments: Avionics & Controls; Sensors & Systems; and Advanced Materials. Its products included cockpit switches and controls, displays, communication equipment, connectors, sensors, power-management systems, elastomers, thermal components, and electronic-warfare countermeasures. The Korry line was especially prominent in commercial-aircraft cockpits and flight simulators. TransDigm completed its acquisition of Esterline Technologies on March 14, 2019. Esterline therefore became a former independent company and its operations entered the TransDigm group.
- 2019
Acquired by TransDigm
[1]TransDigm completes the acquisition, ending Esterline's independent public-company status.
- 2015
Barco defense and aerospace acquisition
[1]Esterline acquires Barco's defense and aerospace division, adding display technologies.
- 2013
Curtis Reusser becomes chief executive
[1]Reusser succeeds Brad Lawrence and leads the company through its final expansion period.
- 2011
Souriau acquisition
[1]The purchase strengthens Esterline's aerospace and defense connector business in Europe and internationally.
- 2007
CMC Electronics acquisition
[1]Esterline expands its avionics business through the acquisition of Canadian manufacturer CMC Electronics.
- 2004
Leach International acquisition
[1]The purchase adds aerospace controls and analytical-instrument capabilities.
- 2002
Electronic-warfare countermeasures acquisition
[1]Esterline acquires BAE Systems' North American electronic-warfare countermeasures business.
- 1989
Esterline Technologies is formed
[1]The company acquires Criton's aerospace and defense businesses and buys back Dyson-Kissner-Moran's remaining stake, then adopts the Esterline Technologies name.
- 1987
Management restructuring
[1]After weak financial results, the board replaces the executive team and shifts the company toward aerospace-related management and operations.
- 1968
Public listing and aerospace entry
[1]Esterline goes public and acquires Babcock Electronics, entering aerospace and defense.
Products and positioning
A specialized, acquisition-driven supplier of mission-critical aerospace and defense components, emphasizing highly engineered products, qualification-intensive applications, and long-term relationships with aircraft manufacturers and military customers.
Avionics and cockpit controls
Korry switches and controls
Illuminated switches, indicators, and related control devices used in aircraft cockpits and flight simulators. The Korry line became one of Esterline's most recognizable offerings and was used across commercial and military aviation platforms.
Avionics · 2007
CMC Electronics avionics
Avionics equipment and aircraft systems supplied for commercial and military applications. The acquisition of CMC Electronics broadened Esterline's capabilities in displays, navigation, mission systems, and cockpit electronics.
Aerospace connectors · 2011
Souriau connectors
High-reliability electrical connectors and connection systems for aerospace, defense, and related demanding applications. Souriau gave Esterline a significant European connector platform and supported aircraft power, signal, and data interfaces.
Combat communications · 2009
Racal Acoustics communications equipment
Noise-reducing military communication headsets and related secure communications equipment designed for use in battlefield and other high-noise environments.
Thermal-management components · 2005
Darchem thermal systems
Thermally engineered aerospace and defense products, including ducting systems, heat shields, and related components intended to manage heat and protect aircraft structures and systems.
Defense systems · 2002
Electronic-warfare countermeasures
Aircraft-dispensable chaff and infrared flares designed to help protect aircraft from radar-guided and infrared-homing missiles. Esterline developed this capability through acquisitions including BAE Systems' countermeasures operations and Wallop Defence.
Brand decisions
2019
TransDigm acquisitionM&ABackground
Esterline was an established supplier of specialized aerospace and defense components but remained a publicly traded independent company.
Action taken
TransDigm completed its acquisition of Esterline Technologies Corporation on March 14, 2019.
Aftermath
Esterline ceased to be an independent public company and its operations became part of TransDigm.
2011
Acquisition of SouriauM&ABackground
Esterline wanted to strengthen its aerospace and defense connector portfolio and expand its international presence.
Action taken
The company acquired French connector manufacturer Souriau.
Aftermath
Souriau became a major part of Esterline's Sensors & Systems activities.
Reported acquisition price. $715 million (2011)
1989
Refocus on aerospace and defenseStrategyBackground
Following a management overhaul and the disposal of underperforming or unrelated businesses, Esterline sought to concentrate on specialized aerospace and defense activities.
Action taken
The company acquired Criton's aerospace and defense businesses, repurchased Dyson-Kissner-Moran's remaining stake, and adopted the Esterline Technologies name.
Aftermath
The transaction established the strategic and organizational foundation for Esterline's later acquisition-driven expansion in aerospace and defense.
Reported combined consideration. $147.5 million (1989)
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