Avon Protection PLC on Monday said it entered a deal to sell the assets of its Lexington, Kentucky-based manufacturing facility in the US to CoorsTek Inc for a ‘modest’ cash consideration.

The Wiltshire, England-based personal protection company makes defence equipment for military, police, industrial and fire service personnel. CoorsTek is a Colorado, US-based manufacturer of technical ceramics to the aerospace and defense industry.

The Lexington facility is focused on manufacturing ceramic plates used for body armour and aircraft armour, and is part of Avon Protection’s armour business that was acquired through its acquisition of 3M Co’s ballistic protection business in 2020.

Avon previously announced the armour business would be wound down in the current financial year.

The transaction is expected to complete in the second half of financial 2023, while Avon Protection fulfils its final contractual obligations with customers.

‘We are delighted to announce the sale of the Lexington facility today, which provides a future for the facility and the team based there, whilst allowing us to focus on our core capabilities to deliver mission-critical respiratory and head protection solutions,’ Avon Protection Executive Chair Bruce Thompson said.

Avon Protection shares were down 1.0% to 1,059.00 pence on Monday morning in London.

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