COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 31, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Aerospace & Defense (A&D) industries are currently experiencing significant merger and acquisition activity, with major corporations and private equity firms in both the U.S. and abroad actively pursuing acquisitions to obtain additional capabilities and expand customer bases. Responding to this dynamic M&A environment, RSM EquiCo, a global investment bank, will host an Aerospace and Defense Symposium focusing on timely industry-oriented issues ranging from fluctuating spending cycles and increasing fuel prices to metal-versus-composite manufacturing trends and the resurgence of active industry consolidation.
The half-day event will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif.
"The rapid expansion of global travel is creating tremendous growth in the aerospace sector," noted Hector J. Cuellar, president of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets, the broker-dealer subsidiary of RSM EquiCo. "In the meantime, the vast U.S. defense industry faces potential challenges that need to be monitored by suppliers and others within the industry, including those considering acquisitions."
Geared toward chief executive officers, senior managers, corporate development officers and managing directors of aerospace and defense (A&D) suppliers, the symposium will feature presentations by a variety of expert speakers, including:
-- John Meersman, director of corporate & strategic development for
Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company and the largest
combined manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military
aircraft;
-- Andrew Moss, chief executive officer of UMECO Composites USA, the
U.S. arm of UMECO PLC, a UK-based provider of value-added
distribution services and composite materials to the aerospace
and defense industries;
-- Adrian Lismore, managing director and head of energy marketing
and structuring for SG CIB, the corporate and investment banking
arm of Societe Generale Group, one of Europe's leading financial
services groups; and
-- John Reimers, former chief executive officer of Compass Aerospace,
a supplier of quality precision-machined parts, sheet metal parts,
and integrated kits and assemblies to both the commercial and
defense markets.
According to Paul Weisbrich, senior managing director and co-leader of RSM EquiCo's Aerospace & Defense practice, the symposium was created to address the needs and interests of companies in the A&D middle market, which have largely been overlooked by other major investment banks.
"This symposium will provide unique access for executives at midsized aerospace and defense companies, who will be able to interact with domestic and European industry leaders as well as gain timely and valuable market perspectives," Weisbrich said.
Within the past two years, RSM EquiCo has significantly increased its focus on A&D while greatly expanding its A&D industry capabilities. Today the firm boasts a team of experts who bring decades of experience advising prominent corporations such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Goodrich, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Hampson PLC.
"Our people not only have completed a wide variety of industry-related M&A transactions," said Cuellar. "They also offer an intimate understanding of the issues facing our mid-market clients."
RSM EquiCo elected to host the first Aerospace & Defense Symposium in Southern California because of the region's potent concentration of aerospace and defense companies. The firm is considering hosting additional symposia in other industry-intensive areas such as Seattle/Tacoma; Washington, D.C.; New England; and the Southeast United States.
About RSM EquiCo
RSM EquiCo (www.rsmequico.com) is a global provider of investment banking services to private companies with annual revenues of up to $500 million. The firm brings together companies, capital and creativity on a national and international scale to help clients achieve their personal and strategic objectives.
RSM EquiCo is part of RSM McGladrey Inc., one of the nation's largest providers of business and tax consulting, wealth management, retirement resources and payroll services to midsized companies. RSM McGladrey Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of H&R Block, a diversified financial services company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
RSM EquiCo is licensed by the SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission) and all state securities authorities, and is a member of the NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers) and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation).
RSM EquiCo's international headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California. It also has offices in Chicago, Boston, New York and London.
To register or for more information contact:
RSM EquiCo Inc. Mark Agosto, Vice President of Capital Markets 714.327.8833 magosto@rsmequico.com