Alvis-Vickers
Alvis-Vickers was the defence company formed by the combination of Alvis plc's defence business with Vickers Defence Systems in 2002. In 2004 it was taken over by BAe Systems and combined with RO Defence (formerly Royal Ordnance) to form BAE Systems Land Systems
History
Alvis Limited was bought in 1981 by United Scientific Holdings plc from British Leyland as it was. The company then changed its name to Alvis plc. In 1998 the armoured vehicle business of GKN plc added.
Vickers was acquired by Rolls-Royce plc in 1999 for the marine business. In 2002, Vickers Defence Systems (the non-marine parts) were purchased by Alvis plc to form the subsidiary Alvis-Vickers.
In 2004, the board of the parent group Alvis approved a £309m takeover bid by the American defence company General Dynamics. Within 3 months BAE Systems, which already had a 29% stake in the company, had offered £355m. The action was seen as a defence of the home market from a foreign rival. The bid was accepted by the majority of shareholders.
In September 2004, BAE announced the creation of BAE Systems Land Systems, a new company bringing together the BAE subsidiarys, RO Defence and Alvis-Vickers.