Rockwell broadens its reach with $6.4 billion purchase of B/E Aerospace

The acquisition, valued at $6.4 billion (5 billion pounds) plus the assumption of $1.9 billion in debt, expands the range of products Rockwell Collins supplies to major commercial and business aircraft and broadens its customer base internationally. Rockwell on Sunday also reported a 14 percent increase in profit to $1.58 a share in its fiscal fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, on a 4 percent rise in sales. “B/E is very strong in relationships with airlines,” Rockwell Chief Executive Off