Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (DAT) (www.dunlopaircrafttyres.co.uk) — one of Birmingham’s most high-profile manufacturing companies, with 570 workers — has been acquired for £106 million by Liberty Hall Capital Partners a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defence industry).

DAT is one of the West Midlands’ leading exporters, with overseas sales accounting for more than 80% of its revenues; tyres made in Birmingham are shipped to operators of commercial and military aircraft around the world.

The company has a distribution and retreading facility in China (to support the Asia Pacific region) and one in the USA (for the Americas). It is also a winner of the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

The deal makes DAT Liberty Hall’s first portfolio company focused on providing after-market products and services to the global aerospace and defence industry.

Rowan Taylor, a founding partner, said: “Our intention is to steward the legacy, reputation and brand name that Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has built over its 100-plus-year lifetime to grow the company into an independent, global and diversified supplier of aircraft tyre products of the highest value.

“The company has also executed a successful business strategy based upon geographic expansion, product and technology range enhancement and modernisation.”

DAT’s existing management team, led by Gordon Roper, will remain in their roles following the acquisition.