Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Cai Von Rumohr: Yes. Thanks, so much. So Scott, a strategic question, obviously, your A&D business is growing with FLRAA, some opportunity at OMB, a number of other programs. And yet when you look at your business, you’re not really a niche player, and you’re also not up with the GD or Lockheed, those guys. Strategically, I think you said you’d like to increase A&D, how big would you like to get? And what sorts of things would you consider buying to bolster your A&D business?

Scott Donnelly: Well, it’s a good question, Cai. Look we — obviously, we’d like to be bigger. And I think that the approach we’re taking here is investments that we’ve made in our existing businesses is driving a lot of that growth. So I think if you look at aviation, all the investments that we’ve made and continue to make in those new platforms, you referenced a couple of other names. Look, I think obviously, we’ve made a huge investment in FLRAA over the years. That’s going to drive a ton of growth and shows that we can go head-to-head on a program-by-program basis and win, and drive a lot of organic growth. I think when you look at systems, some of the things that we talked around OMF or what’s now referred to as XM30 and ARV with the Marine Corps, there’s things out there that are potentially significant growth drivers.

We’re going head to head with some of the guys that are the biggest names in the business and I think we can win against them. So our focus continues to be making sure that we’re making the right investments so we can drive the organic growth. And will we do acquisitions, if there’s a right opportunity that comes along, absolutely. But we’ve got a cause I’ve always felt that you want to — you don’t want to have to do a deal, right? So I think that our strategy is continue to make the right investments on the organic side so that we can drive really good growth and if something comes along that makes sense from an extension [ph] standpoint, we’re happy to look at that.

Cai Von Rumohr: So when you look at things, do you look at it sort of from a holding company perspective, this would be a good business or are there specific skill sets that you think would be complementary to what you currently do that would make you a stronger player in helicopters and whatever?

Scott Donnelly: Well, look, I think, Cai, right now, it’s primarily looking in the A&D space, things that would help diversify us in terms of our strength in A&D. I don’t think it’s likely that you see something that’s specifically in the helicopter space. I just don’t know that there is targets out there where you do that. And from a government standpoint and other standpoint, I don’t think you would probably see much activity in that space. I’d be kind of surprised. But I think you look at complementary A&D capabilities, certainly where we bring technological capability where the target would bring technology capability that’s some synergistic, but I think in large part, providing a more well-rounded, more diversified A&D company.

Cai Von Rumohr: Great, thank you very much.

Operator: Thank you. And our last question will come from the line of Kristine Liwag with Morgan Stanley.

Kristine Liwag: Great, thanks. Scott, with the macroeconomic uncertainty and increasing interest rates, I mean, ultimately the demand and pricing for business jets and general aviation continue to be robust, a surprise for the bears pretty much. So what do you think is driving this sustained demand and how undersupplied do you think the market continues to be?