Spotlight: Esterline-Kirkhill Deal Could Be Windfall for Workers

In a deal that could put six-figure checks in the hands of hundreds of workers, Bellevue, Wash.-based Esterline Technologies Corp. said it plans to buy Kirkhill Rubber Co. of Brea for about $80 million. Kirkhill, whose products range from space shuttle parts to ultra-bouncy toy balls, is part-owned by its 700 workers, who teamed up in 1988 to buy two-thirds of the closely held company’s stock. Esterline said the stockholders will get cash for their shares. Details of the deal are still being worked out.