Pursuit Aerospace Announces Completion of Strategic Acquisition to Expand Its Capabilities
Pursuit Aerospace (“Pursuit”), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-precision, complex components for aircraft engines and other aerospace applications, announced today the successful completion of its strategic acquisition of Larson Forgings, Inc. (“Larson”), a respected, family-owned forging company with more than a century of industry heritage. This acquisition is a significant milestone in Pursuit’s long-term strategy to broaden its manufacturing capabilities, expand its customer offerings, and reinforce its position as a leading supplier to the global aerospace and defense sectors.
Founded in 1895 by Charles E. Larson as a small blacksmith shop in Chicago, Larson Forgings has grown into one of the most respected forging companies in North America. Over its 130-year history, the company has transformed from its humble beginnings into a specialized provider of seamless rolled rings and open die forgings. Larson’s products are used in mission-critical aerospace and defense applications and have earned the trust of major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers. The company boasts a long-standing relationship with aerospace giant Pratt & Whitney, among others, and has become a vital part of the supply chain for many high-performance aircraft engine programs.
Doug Folsom, Chief Executive Officer of Pursuit Aerospace, welcomed the acquisition with enthusiasm and optimism. “We are excited to welcome the Larson team to the Pursuit Aerospace family,” Folsom said. “Larson brings with it a 130-year legacy of forging excellence, quality, and innovation. Their longstanding reputation in the aerospace industry is second to none, and we are honored that the Larson family has chosen to entrust the next chapter of their business to Pursuit. This acquisition represents more than just an expansion of capabilities—it’s the unification of two companies that share a passion for quality, operational excellence, and customer success.”
With the addition of Larson Forgings, Pursuit significantly enhances its portfolio of forging capabilities. The acquisition adds seamless rolled ring manufacturing to Pursuit’s already diverse set of forging competencies, which include closed die forging and other precision forming technologies. Larson’s advanced production facilities are equipped with modern forge presses, ring mills, and a full suite of support processes including in-house heat treating, non-destructive testing (NDT), and metallurgical services. These vertically integrated capabilities allow Larson to produce a broad range of forged components tailored to the exacting requirements of the aerospace sector.
Ben Adams, Chief Commercial Officer of Pursuit Aerospace, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the acquisition. “Larson adds critical seamless rolled ring capabilities to our existing forging operations,” said Adams. “This means we can now offer a more comprehensive suite of forged aerospace components to our global customer base, enhancing our ability to support their programs from concept to delivery. We believe this acquisition will allow us to better serve OEM and Tier 1 customers by providing a wider variety of components manufactured to the highest industry standards.”
Pursuit Aerospace has earned a reputation for quality and precision manufacturing through its global network of facilities, which serve commercial, military, and spaceflight customers. The company’s commitment to engineering excellence and continuous improvement has made it a trusted supplier for engine programs across Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation, and other major platforms. Adding Larson Forgings’ expertise to Pursuit’s operations not only increases production capacity but also enhances the company’s ability to meet customer demand with shorter lead times and greater flexibility.
For Larson Forgings, the decision to join Pursuit Aerospace was guided by a shared set of values and a commitment to long-term success. Scott Larson, President of Larson Forgings and a fourth-generation leader of the family business, noted the importance of cultural alignment in the sale process. “We chose to partner with Pursuit due to their unwavering focus on continuous improvement, employee development, and operational excellence,” said Larson. “We were also encouraged by feedback from other business owners who had previously partnered with Pursuit and spoke highly of their experience. Pursuit’s scale, customer relationships, and broad capabilities are exactly what Larson needed to continue growing and delivering value to our customers.”
Larson added that the acquisition positions the company for the next phase of growth and innovation. “Joining Pursuit will give us access to expanded resources and technical expertise, while allowing us to maintain the craftsmanship, integrity, and customer focus that has been the hallmark of Larson Forgings for over a century,” he continued. “Together, we will be able to deliver even greater value to our aerospace and defense customers, with expanded production capabilities, faster turnaround times, and deeper engineering collaboration.”
The integration of Larson Forgings into Pursuit Aerospace will be carried out over the coming months, with a focus on maintaining business continuity for customers and preserving the workforce’s deep technical knowledge. Pursuit leadership has committed to investing in Larson’s facilities and workforce to support future growth, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the combined entity continues to meet the evolving demands of the aerospace industry.
The acquisition also aligns with broader trends in the aerospace sector, as companies seek to build more resilient and vertically integrated supply chains following recent disruptions. With the commercial aviation sector recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and global defense budgets continuing to rise, demand for forged aerospace components is expected to grow. Pursuit Aerospace’s acquisition of Larson positions the company to capitalize on this growth, offering customers a reliable, high-quality source for critical forged products backed by technical expertise and proven manufacturing excellence.
As Pursuit Aerospace moves forward with its strategic growth plans, the company remains focused on its core mission: to deliver precision components that enable safer, more efficient, and more reliable flight. By combining Pursuit’s global reach and advanced manufacturing infrastructure with Larson Forgings’ century-old legacy and forging expertise, the newly expanded enterprise is poised to deliver unmatched value to the aerospace market for decades to come.