PARIS, AMSTELVEEN - Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Sabena technics have reached an agreement for the Franco-Dutch group to take full control of Barfield, the North American subsidiary of Sabena technics.

Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction to be finalized in the first half of 2014.

Barfield Inc. was founded in 1945 and is an MRO provider component support covering repairs to flight-hour solutions including spares support, the design of test equipment, and the distribution of spare parts for OEMs. It employs 230 at three US facilities (Miami, Phoenix, Louisville).

Franck Terner, executive vice president Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, said: "This acquisition supplements and strengthens our presence on the world's biggest aviation market - a strategic region due to its dynamism and potential for growth.

"Because of the complementary nature of AMG and Barfield, two Florida-based subsidiaries, the clients of AFI KLM E&M and Barfield in the Americas will benefit from a comprehensive array of high-quality, competitive services on their doorstep."

Rodolphe Marchais, chairman and chief executive officer of Sabena technics, added: "We are very proud of what we have accomplished and the distance we have traveled with Barfield since 2007, and are delighted that this transaction is going ahead with a European group that ranks second worldwide in aircraft maintenance.

"This sale will help Barfied to confidently embark on a new stage in its development."