DES PLAINES, IL-Northrop Grumman has sold its Kester division to American Capital Strategies Ltd. Kester supplies solder paste, flux, conductive adhesives and other electronics assembly materials.

American Capital owns 84 percent of Kester on a fully diluted basis. The remaining ownership in the company represents amounts under the employee options program, as well as equity coinvestors.

"We are excited about working with Kester's management in pursuing their strategic initiatives, which we believe will create value in the years ahead," says Ira Wagner, COO at American Capital.