A Buyer's Market: North American M&A Activity

James Pozzi March 21, 2018

1-AAR Buys Two Premier Aviation Facilities

Credit: AAR

U.S. MRO AAR acquired two Canada-based facilities from Premier Aviation in September 2017. The deal saw AAR take control of the sites in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, and Windsor, Ontario. New deals with Airbus for A320 repairs and Embraer for E190 maintenance were also signed at the time, with the work taking place at the Quebec facility.

2-StandardAero Completes Vector Buyout

Credit: StandardAero

Among the biggest MRO deals of the past year is StandardAero completing its acquisition of Vector Aerospace in November 2017. Vector, which specializes in engines and components support, was acquired by U.S.-based StandardAero from Airbus.

3-Argentum Backs Talent Sourcing Specialist

Credit: Launch Workforce Solutions

Argentum, a growth equity firm, made a strategic investment in Launch Technical Workforce Solutions, a provider of staffing for the aviation industry. Illinois-based Launch, which helps the staffing needs of airlines, MRO facilities and OEMs, was established in 2013.

4-STS Widens Reach

Credit: STS Aviation

STS Component Solutions looked beyond the U.S. for the first time through its acquisition of Irish aircraft interior modification and refurbishment company UJet Group in January 2018. Following the investment, which will see UJet now operate as STS UJet, the Florida-headquarterd company said almost 30 new jobs are to be created at UJet’s facility in Shannon.

Credit: TransDigm
Owing to factors such as COVID-19, Transdigm saw a big hit to its commercial aftermarket sales in the past year but more recently it is seeing signs of recovery in the segment.

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James Pozzi

As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.