United Technologies Corp. agreed to buy Goodrich Corp. for $16.5 billion, adding a maker of aircraft landing gear and jet-turbine casings to take advantage of a record surge in commercial plane orders.
The acquisition caps a years-long pursuit by United Technologies, whose aviation brands include Pratt & Whitney jet engines and Sikorsky helicopters. Chief Executive Officer Louis Chenevert plans to fold his Hamilton Sundstrand aviation equipment and Goodrich into UTC Aerospace Systems, based in Goodrich’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
