Carlyle Group makes a move for Arinc

The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Arinc Inc.

The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Arinc Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Arinc, a provider of transportation communications and systems engineering, develops and operates communications and information processing systems for airports, aviation, defense, government and surface transportation.

"We believe that Arinc is well positioned to capitalize on several favorable macro trends in both its commercial and government market segments," said Peter Clare, managing director and head of Carlyle's global aerospace and defense sector. Carlyle Group expects to close the deal in the third quarter of 2007.

Arinc, of Annapolis, Md., has about 3,300 employees in 100 offices worldwide, generating annual revenue in excess of $900 million, Carlyle said. The company was founded in 1929 as Aeronautical Radio Inc. to provide radio communications services for airlines.

Carlyle Group, with $58.5 billion under management, invests in buyouts, venture and growth capital, real estate and leveraged finance in Asia, Europe and North America. The Washington company focuses on aerospace and defense, infrastructure, technology and business services, and telecommunications and media.