Airbus warns over GKN takeover bid

Airbus has warned it would be "practically impossible" to give new business to engineering giant GKN if it was bought by turnaround specialist Melrose.

GKN makes wing components and other key aircraft parts for Airbus, which is its biggest customer.

However, it is fighting off a hostile bid from Melrose, saying it fundamentally undervalues the firm.

GKN employs more than 59,000 people, with 6,000 in the UK.

Tom Williams, Airbus's chief operating officer at its commercial aircraft division, said: "The nature of our industry is one that requires a commitment to long-term investment and strategic vision.

"The industry does not lend itself to shorter term financial investment which naturally reduces R&D budgets and limits vital innovation.

"It would be practically impossible for us to give any new work to GKN under such ownership model when we don't know who will be the long-term investor."

His comments were first reported by the Financial Times.

Earlier this week, GKN rejected what Melrose called its "final" offer. Melrose said the bid valued the company at £8.1bn.

GKN chairman Mike Turner said: "The comments from Airbus that stress the need for long-term investment and strategic vision in our industry emphasise our firmly held belief that Melrose is not an appropriate owner of GKN.

"Its management lacks the relevant experience and its short-term business model is inappropriate for GKN's customers and investors."

Christopher Miller, chairman of Melrose, said his company "invests in its businesses for the long term".

He added: "Under Melrose, shareholders and customers will be able to enjoy a considered and longer-term process of value creation, investment and business enhancement, which is clearly not an option under continued GKN ownership."

Analysis: By Rob Young, business reporter

The intervention by Airbus, GKN's biggest customer, is as dramatic as it is unusual.

The takeover bid by the turnaround specialists Melrose is described as hostile, because it was not sought by GKN's management. But it is Melrose that is experiencing hostility on several fronts.

The board of GKN, MPs, pension fund trustees and now a key customer have all very publicly questioned Melrose's attempt to buy one of Britain's oldest engineering giants.

Airbus's decision to wade in raises new concerns for GKN shareholders. They have two weeks to decide whether to back the bid or send Melrose packing. The share price of GKN suggests this is far from a done deal.

MPs' concerns

GKN also makes parts for Boeing 737 jets and Black Hawk helicopters, as well as parts for Volkswagen and Ford cars.

Under the terms of the Melrose bid, GKN investors would receive 81p in cash and 1.69 new Melrose shares for GKN share they held. GKN shareholders would end up owning 60% of Melrose.

However, GKN says a fall in the Melrose share price has reduced the value of the cash and shares offer.

GKN has fought hard against the bid, offering to give back £2.5bn to shareholders and agreeing to merge its car unit with US company Dana.

The takeover approach has raised fears among unions and MPs that GKN, one of the UK's largest industrial firms, will be broken up and sold to overseas owners.

The Pensions Regulator has warned that the Melrose takeover could affect the company's ability to fund its pension scheme.

Last week, a cross-party group of MPs wrote to the Business Secretary, Greg Clark, saying the Melrose takeover should be blocked.

A brief history of GKN

• Founded in 1759 as an ironworks in South Wales

• Involved in aerospace, automotive, materials and manufacturing engineering

• Operates in 30 countries with more than 59,000 employees

• Employs 6,000 staff in the UK, mostly in aerospace and automotive technology

• Ten UK sites, including Bristol, Cowes, Luton, Portsmouth, Birmingham and Telford

• Chief executive Anne Stephens took over in January