Carpenter Technology Corporation has commenced a process to sell Latrobe Specialty Steel Distribution (LSSD) and its Mexican distribution business, Aceros Fortuna.

The sale of the distribution businesses reflects Carpenter’s continued focus on growing its high-value specialty alloy manufacturing, titanium processing, and precision engineered businesses.

"LSSD and Aceros Fortuna are well managed, strong, profitable businesses with good employees and solid growth prospects; however, distribution of tool and alloy steel products is not part of our core focus of manufacturing and selling specialty materials for the aerospace, energy, and other high-growth markets," said William A. Wulfsohn, President & CEO of Carpenter Technology.

Carpenter expects that proceeds from a sale will be reinvested in Carpenter’s premium product businesses. Carpenter will continue to service sales of its special alloy products in Mexico and South America through the retention of selected warehouses and employees.

Carpenter acquired LSSD as part of its 2012 acquisition of Latrobe Specialty Steel. LSSD’s 170 employees provide a broad range of quality steels and value-added services to customers in North America from six distribution centers across the United States and Canada. LSSD recorded sales of $113 million in the 2012 fiscal year.

Aceros Fortuna distributes alloyed, stainless and tool steels, specialty alloys and industrial products in Mexico and Brazil and generated sales of $42 million in the 2012 fiscal year. The company has eight distribution and sales offices across Mexico. Carpenter acquired the 40-year-old company in 1994. About 25 of Aceros Fortuna’s 275 employees support the specialty alloy market and will remain with Carpenter.

Carpenter has engaged KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. to assist it in the sale of its distribution businesses.