The Avascent Group

Aviation & Aerospace Class C Parts Market

February 1 2012

OVERVIEW
The past twelve months have seen increased M&A activity and consolidation along the entire aviation supply chain. The Class C parts space is one sub-sector of the market where Avascent sees strong evidence of this broader trend. For example, on January 9, 2012 B/E Aerospace announced its intention to buy UFC Aerospace Corp, a Class C aerospace parts distributor, for $400 million in cash. The acquisition will make B/E a roughly $1 billion player in the Class C market, adding capabilities in kitting, supply chain management and manufacturing as well as a portfolio of traditional distribution relationships. This is not the first transaction in the space: B/E previously acquired M&M (2001), Honeywell Consumables Solutions (2008) and the fastener distribution arm of Satair (2010), while Wesco acquired Airtechnics (2008). However, the size and timing of this most recent deal signals a renewed drive towards consolidation in the sector. It also points to an underlying confidence in the third party distribution business model and provision of outsourced inventory management services to OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers and MRO providers.

 

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