Published: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 2:37 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 2:37 p.m.

MANATEE COUNTY - Eaton Corp. is selling its aerospace power distribution management business, including a south Manatee County plant, to a French company for $270 million.

Safran S.A. and Eaton expect to complete the transaction sometime during the first half of this year, said Eaton spokesman Kelly M. Jasko.

It is unclear what the transaction means long-term for jobs at the Whitfield Avenue plant, which in the 1990s employed 600 but now includes 180 workers.

We are committed to communicating with employees and customers in a timely manner over the next few months as decisions are made that affect them, Jasko said. In the meantime, however, no immediate changes are taking place.

The sale also includes Eatons aerospace electronics plant in Costa Mesa, Calif., and switch manufacturing product lines in Reynosa and Tijuana, Mexico.

The business being sold the full name of which is Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions employs roughly 350 at the two U.S. plants.

The business produces illuminated switches, cockpit panel assemblies, pilot controls and passenger safety unit latches, as well as circuit protection, power distribution and switch components for aerospace and industrial applications.

Sales were approximately $102 million in 2013.

In a statement, Paris-based Safran said that the acquisition represents a continuation of the companys strategy to help build more electric aircraft.

View post:

Aerospace business, including plant in Manatee, sold to French firm