Atlanta-based Unifi Aviation, a ground-handling and aviation services company, has acquired UK-based Up & Away, a provider of business jet and commercial aircraft cleaning and detailing services.
The Up & Away brand will continue, while founder Stefan Murphy becomes Unifi’s managing director in the UK, the company says.
“Up & Away is an ideal fit for Unifi as it looks to grow its UK business to more than £100 million ($131.5 million) in the region over the next three years,” Unifi says in a statement.
The deal comes as Up & Away works to open a base of operations at London’s Gatwick Airport on Aug. 1, its 13th in the UK. Up & Away’s employment has grown to more than 500, including 400 dedicated to airline activity.
With the acquisition, Unifi, which is present at more than 200 U.S. airports, gains a foothold in the executive aviation market, the company says.
Under Murphy’s leadership, Up & Away has expanded from the original focus on executive jet clientele to working with airline customers after a carrier CEO and business jet owner asked the company to bid on its aircraft cleaning business.
“Up & Away brings exactly what Unifi was looking for—personalized intimate service offering to customers,” says Ernie Patterson, chairman of international business for the Unifi parent Argenbright Group. “It is excited to take that, harness it, help grow and expand the business using the same culture and same, dedicated team.”
Talks between the companies began six months ago. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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