Smiths to sell airport screening business to private equity buyer for $2.2B

CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Smiths Detection, one of the world’s largest suppliers of airport security screening equipment, in a $2.2 billion deal that accelerates Smiths Group’s pivot toward a more focused industrial engineering business.   Headquartered in the UK, Smiths Detection employs about 3,400 people and holds a leading position in aviation security, supplying airports across the globe with screening systems for carry-on bags, checked baggage, and cargo. The company serves 47 of the world’s 50 busiest airports and is best known for its 3D computed tomography checkpoint scanners that allow liquids and laptops to remain inside bags while software algorithms scan for explosives and other threats. 

Smiths Detection also sells inspection systems for ports and borders, cargo and vehicle screening, and urban security applications in government buildings, public venues and other critical infrastructure. The business also includes a chemical-threat identification capability for defense customers, giving it a diversified footprint across civil security and military markets. 

Smiths Group expects to receive about $2 billion in net proceeds from the sale. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval and required consultation with employees in France. 

For Smiths, the sale marks the second major portfolio move in 2025, following the agreed sale of Smiths Interconnect announced in October. Together, the two sales represent a combined enterprise value of $3.5 billion and execute a strategy laid out in January 2025 to separate non-core units and reposition Smiths as a “high-performance industrial engineering company” focused on flow management and thermal solutions through its John Crane and Flex-Tek businesses. 

Smiths said it plans to return much of the sale proceeds to shareholders, on top of an existing $1.25 billion buyback. The rest will go toward growth investments and small strategic acquisitions. 

From CVC’s perspective, the deal adds a global security-technology leader with a strong installed base and recurring aftermarket revenue.   “Smiths Detection’s industry-leading threat detection and security screening technologies play a crucial role in helping protect people and critical infrastructure worldwide,” said CVC Managing Partner Dominic Murphy, who highlighted the firm’s plan to invest further in technology, high-quality engineering and aftermarket services. 

Smiths Detection reported revenue of $1 billion and headline operating profit of $150 million this year through July 31, 2025, with management pointing to strong demand for next-generation CT scanners and a multi-year orderbook anchored in aviation.   The post Smiths to sell airport screening business to private equity buyer for $2.2B appeared first on AeroTime.

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