Ducommun Bundle
Who owns Ducommun now?
Ducommun, a 175-year-old aerospace and defense supplier, saw renewed investor interest after its 2023 BLR Aerospace deal and rising backlog; institutional and index investors now dominate its cap table as insiders hold a small single-digit stake.
Major holders are U.S. institutions, index funds, and long-only asset managers; insider ownership remains under 10%, shaping governance and strategic focus. See Ducommun Porter's Five Forces Analysis.
Who Founded Ducommun?
Founders and Early Ownership of Ducommun trace to Charles Louis Ducommun, a Swiss-born watchmaker and metals trader who established Ducommun, Slauson & Co. in Los Angeles in 1849; the firm remained a closely held, family-controlled merchant enterprise through the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Charles Louis Ducommun founded the business in 1849 as a metals trader and watchmaker in Los Angeles.
Ownership and governance were retained within the Ducommun family with succession across generations.
Financing relied on retained earnings and bank lines rather than venture or angel investment.
Detailed percentage splits from inception are not publicly documented due to 19th-century private status.
By the 1930s–1950s Ducommun shifted from metals distribution to aircraft materials and precision components.
Early governance followed family-business norms with de facto buy-sell understandings among heirs and managers.
For readers tracking Ducommun ownership, historical family control set the stage for later public-shareholder dynamics; see related operational context in Revenue Streams & Business Model of Ducommun.
Facts relevant to Ducommun ownership and early structure.
- Charles Louis Ducommun founded Ducommun, Slauson & Co. in 1849 and was principal proprietor.
- Ownership remained closely held by the Ducommun family through late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- No documented venture/angel investors; financing used retained earnings and bank credit.
- Public records do not provide precise initial equity splits; control functioned as a family merchant enterprise.
Ducommun SWOT Analysis
- Complete SWOT Breakdown
- Fully Customizable
- Editable in Excel & Word
- Professional Formatting
- Investor-Ready Format
How Has Ducommun’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
Key events reshaping Ducommun ownership include mid-20th century professionalization and NYSE listing (DCO), strategic exits from legacy distribution, and acquisition-led transformation into engineered products and electronics suppliers, culminating in a public-float dominated shareholder base by the 2010s–2020s.
| Period | Ownership Character | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mid 20th century–1980s | Family-led to professional management | Operational professionalization; initial diversification away from distributor roots |
| 1990s–2010s | Transition to dispersed public shareholders | Public listings and acquisitions in electronics/structures; family stakes diluted |
| 2010s–2025 | Institutional and index fund concentration | Float concentrated among Vanguard, BlackRock, State Street and specialist small-cap/aerospace funds; market cap ~$0.8–$1.4B (2023–2025) |
Ownership evolution shifted control from founders toward broadly dispersed public shareholders; filings through 2024–2025 show no controlling owner, with institutions and passive funds holding most shares while insiders retain a small single-digit stake.
Institutional investors and indexed funds dominate Ducommun ownership, with active aerospace/defense managers and small-cap value funds also present; insiders hold low single-digit percentages.
- Top holders typically include The Vanguard Group, BlackRock Fund Advisors, and State Street (Form 13F disclosures).
- No single entity reported over 20%; ownership is broadly dispersed across mutual funds, ETFs, and specialist managers.
- Market-cap range of approximately $0.8–$1.4 billion during 2023–2025 influenced investor accumulation amid rising defense/space backlog.
- Strategic focus driven by institutional long-only holders: free cash flow, program execution, and disciplined bolt-on M&A (e.g., 2021–2023 engineered-products add-ons).
Major stakeholders change quarter-to-quarter; Form 13F, proxy statements and insider reports remain the primary sources to track who owns Ducommun, including Ducommun company shareholders and Ducommun Inc major shareholders, and to monitor Ducommun insider ownership and transactions — see also Marketing Strategy of Ducommun.
Ducommun PESTLE Analysis
- Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
- No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
- Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
- Instant Download, Ready to Use
- 100% Editable, Fully Customizable
Who Sits on Ducommun’s Board?
Ducommun's board comprises independent directors with aerospace, defense, operations, finance, and government experience alongside the CEO as the management representative; governance disclosures through 2024–2025 indicate a standard one-share–one-vote structure with no disclosed government or controlling shareholder.
| Director | Background | Role/Committee Links |
|---|---|---|
| CEO (management director) | Aerospace operations, executive leadership | Executive oversight, strategy |
| Independent director — Defense & Govt | Government contracting, policy | Audit/Governance committees |
| Independent director — Finance/Capital markets | Investment banking, capital markets | Audit/Compensation oversight |
| Independent director — Operations/Supply chain | Manufacturing, supply-chain optimization | Operations/Risk committees |
Shareholder voting follows conventional one-share–one-vote rules; public filings through 2024–2025 show no dual-class stock, golden shares, or outsized voting blocks, and institutional holders form the largest ownership cohort.
Proxy activity is routine rather than combative; institutional investors and proxy advisors materially shape outcomes for director elections and governance proposals.
- Director elections typically pass with comfortable majorities; contested campaigns are rare
- Common shareholder proposals target compensation alignment, board refreshment, and ESG governance
- ISS and Glass Lewis influence votes due to heavy institutional ownership; institutional investors typically hold 40–70% collectively in similar mid‑cap aerospace names
- No public disclosure of a controlling shareholder or special voting rights through 2024–2025
For governance context and corporate purpose, see Mission, Vision & Core Values of Ducommun.
Ducommun Business Model Canvas
- Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
- Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
- Investor-Ready BMC Format
- 100% Editable and Customizable
- Clear and Structured Layout
What Recent Changes Have Shaped Ducommun’s Ownership Landscape?
Through 2021–mid‑2025 Ducommun ownership shifted toward greater institutional concentration as index inclusion and defense‑cycle optimism drove passive inflows and selective active repositioning; insider ownership stayed in the low single digits while ownership by Vanguard and BlackRock complexes rose noticeably.
| Trend | Details | Impact on Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional concentration | Rising passive exposure from index inclusion (small‑cap/industrial/aero indices); Vanguard and BlackRock aggregates increased | Higher percentage held by ETFs and index funds; institutional ownership >40% by 2024 estimates among top holders |
| M&A — BLR Aerospace (2023) | Acquisition expanded engineered products and aftermarket solutions; management cited program wins in missiles, space, commercial aero | Sentiment improvement; modest rotation into growth‑tilted funds and increased institutional share accumulation |
| Capital actions | Deleveraging focus and selective capex; modest repurchases through 2023–2024; no secondary offerings | Ownership base largely stable; buybacks immaterial relative to float |
| Activism & governance | Industry‑wide activist attention on aerospace suppliers; Ducommun periodically cited as strategic target | No confirmed takeover approaches by mid‑2025; continued board refreshment and succession planning |
Analyst notes and filings in 2024–2025 show Ducommun Inc major shareholders remain dominated by institutional investors, with active small‑cap value and aerospace specialists rotating positions amid backlog gains; Ducommun insider ownership remains low single digits, and no dual‑class or privatization moves were announced by mid‑2025.
Largest institutional holders include major index complexes; percentage ownership by mutual funds and ETFs climbed during 2021–2024 as index inclusion increased flows.
The 2023 BLR Aerospace deal was widely seen as accretive, prompting modest reallocations toward funds favoring growth and aftermarket exposure.
Company prioritized reducing leverage and selective capex over large buybacks; repurchases through 2024 remained small relative to float.
Board refreshment and succession planning noted in 2024–2025 filings; no emergence of concentrated control or dual‑class structures.
For context on market fit and customer segments that influenced shareholder interest see Target Market of Ducommun.
Ducommun Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
- Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
- 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
- Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
- Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked
- What is Brief History of Ducommun Company?
- What is Competitive Landscape of Ducommun Company?
- What is Growth Strategy and Future Prospects of Ducommun Company?
- How Does Ducommun Company Work?
- What is Sales and Marketing Strategy of Ducommun Company?
- What are Mission Vision & Core Values of Ducommun Company?
- What is Customer Demographics and Target Market of Ducommun Company?
Disclaimer
All information, articles, and product details provided on this website are for general informational and educational purposes only. We do not claim any ownership over, nor do we intend to infringe upon, any trademarks, copyrights, logos, brand names, or other intellectual property mentioned or depicted on this site. Such intellectual property remains the property of its respective owners, and any references here are made solely for identification or informational purposes, without implying any affiliation, endorsement, or partnership.
We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any content or products presented. Nothing on this website should be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, medical, or other professional advice. In addition, no part of this site—including articles or product references—constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any securities, franchises, or other financial instruments, particularly in jurisdictions where such activity would be unlawful.
All content is of a general nature and may not address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. It is not a substitute for professional advice or services. Any actions you take based on the information provided here are strictly at your own risk. You accept full responsibility for any decisions or outcomes arising from your use of this website and agree to release us from any liability in connection with your use of, or reliance upon, the content or products found herein.