MRO & Manufacturing
Pursuit Aerospace Acquires Aeromet to Expand Casting Capabilities
Pursuit Aerospace acquires Aeromet International, enhancing aerospace casting with advanced A20X alloy technology and expanding market reach.
Pursuit Aerospace’s Strategic Acquisition of Aeromet International: Consolidating Aerospace Casting Capabilities in a Growing Market
The August 19, 2025, announcement of Pursuit Aerospace’s acquisition of Aeromet International marks a significant milestone in the global aerospace castings sector. The deal, which sees Pursuit, formed through the 2023 merger of Whitcraft Group and Paradigm Precision, expand its Manufacturing reach, reflects the broader trend of consolidation in aerospace manufacturing. By acquiring UK-based Aeromet from Privet Capital, Pursuit strengthens its position as the world’s largest privately held aerospace manufacturing company and gains access to Aeromet’s advanced light alloy casting capabilities, notably its proprietary A20X alloy technology.
This transaction is set against the backdrop of a rapidly growing aerospace market. The global aircraft engine sector is projected to nearly double in value from $56.28 billion in 2023 to $112.10 billion by 2030. As aerospace Manufacturers seek lighter, stronger, and more efficient components, the integration of Aeromet’s expertise and technology into Pursuit’s portfolio is a strategic move to capture emerging opportunities and address evolving industry demands.
The acquisition also highlights the importance of advanced materials and specialized manufacturing processes in meeting the rigorous requirements of aerospace and defense customers. Aeromet’s A20X alloy, recognized as the world’s strongest commercially available cast aluminum alloy, positions the combined entity to serve applications where performance and weight savings are critical. This deal not only expands Pursuit’s technical capabilities but also enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive solutions to a global customer base.
The Strategic Acquisition: Deal Structure and Immediate Implications
Pursuit Aerospace’s acquisition of Aeromet International is a calculated expansion designed to strengthen its role in the global aerospace supply chain. The transaction, announced in August 2025, brings Aeromet’s light alloy investment and sand-casting expertise into Pursuit’s portfolio, which had previously focused on super alloy investment casting. This broadens Pursuit’s manufacturing capabilities, allowing it to offer a more complete range of solutions to aerospace and defense customers.
Doug Folsom, CEO of Pursuit, underlined the strategic value of the acquisition, emphasizing the company’s commitment to investing in technologies and capabilities that enhance customer value. Howard Kimberley, CEO of Aeromet, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the alignment in scale, resources, and commitment to manufacturing excellence as key to the deal’s success. The cultural and operational fit between the two organizations is expected to facilitate a smoother integration process, minimizing the disruptions often associated with major Acquisitions.
The deal structure enables Pursuit to leverage Aeromet’s established customer relationships and technical expertise, while providing Aeromet with access to Pursuit’s global resources and broader reach. The acquisition also expands Pursuit’s product offering to include castings, closed die and rolled ring forgings, machined components, and fabricated assemblies for aeroengine and other aerospace applications, positioning it as a full-spectrum supplier in the industry.
“Aeromet’s deep technical expertise is a valuable addition to Pursuit’s robust existing capability set, enabling us to deliver greater value to our aerospace and defense customers.”, Doug Folsom, CEO, Pursuit Aerospace
Company Profiles: Strategic Assets and Competitive Positioning
Pursuit Aerospace, established through the merger of Whitcraft Group and Paradigm Precision in 2023, has quickly positioned itself as a dominant player in aerospace manufacturing. With over 3,000 employees across North-America, Europe, and Africa, Pursuit’s global footprint and diversified capabilities allow it to serve major commercial and military aircraft programs. The company’s focus on operational excellence, lean manufacturing, and customer service underpins its competitive advantage.
Aeromet International, with over 40 years in the aerospace and defense sector, brings a rich heritage of innovation in light alloy casting. Its proprietary A20X aluminum alloy, which offers industry-leading strength and fatigue resistance, is a key differentiator. Aeromet’s three UK facilities, including Europe’s only Boeing-approved investment foundry, give it a strategic position in the supply chains of major aerospace OEMs. The company’s fully integrated service model, spanning design, engineering, testing, machining, and finishing, aligns with Pursuit’s vision of providing comprehensive manufacturing solutions.
The leadership teams of both companies bring extensive industry experience. Doug Folsom’s background at GE Aviation and Whitcraft, and Howard Kimberley’s executive roles at GKN, Hampson Industries, and Shimtech, ensure a strong foundation for integration and growth. The involvement of private equity backers like Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Greenbriar Equity Group further supports Pursuit’s expansion strategy.
Industry Context and Market Dynamics
The aerospace casting industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising demand for fuel-efficient engines and lightweight components. The global aircraft engine market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 10% through 2030, fueled by fleet renewals, increased air travel, and defense modernization. Component manufacturers with advanced casting technologies and materials expertise are well positioned to benefit from these trends.
Investment casting, a critical process for producing complex, high-performance aerospace components, is also on an upward trajectory. The market for investment castings is projected to reach $22.72 billion by 2030, with aerospace and defense applications accounting for a substantial share of revenue. Regional dynamics show Asia Pacific leading in growth, but North America and Europe remain strongholds due to their established aerospace industries and technical leadership.
Technological advancements, such as the adoption of 3D-printed patterns and proprietary alloys like Aeromet’s A20X, are shaping the competitive landscape. Certifications such as NADCAP and AS 9100 are essential for suppliers seeking to participate in critical aerospace programs, creating barriers to entry and favoring established players. The focus on supply chain resilience and sustainability further underscores the need for innovation and operational excellence.
“The global aircraft engine market’s projected growth from $56.28 billion in 2023 to $112.10 billion by 2030 creates substantial opportunities for well-positioned component suppliers.”, Market Research Analysis
Financial and Economic Implications
The financial context of the Pursuit-Aeromet deal reflects larger trends in aerospace and defense mergers and acquisitions. In the first half of 2025, deal values in the sector more than doubled compared to the prior year, even as the number of transactions declined. This shift indicates a focus on larger, more strategic acquisitions aimed at consolidating capabilities and market share.
While the financial terms of the Pursuit-Aeromet transaction remain undisclosed, the rationale is clear: the combined entity can leverage operational synergies, cross-sell capabilities, and enhance its technological portfolio. Aeromet’s A20X alloy, in particular, enables premium pricing for high-performance components, supporting revenue growth and margin expansion. The integration of manufacturing processes and quality systems is expected to yield efficiency gains over time.
Private equity involvement continues to drive consolidation in the sector, with firms seeking to build leaner, more competitive portfolio companies. The Pursuit-Aeromet deal exemplifies this approach, combining complementary assets and expertise to create a stronger platform for future growth and potential additional acquisitions.
Conclusion
Pursuit Aerospace’s acquisition of Aeromet International represents a strategic consolidation that enhances the combined company’s capabilities, market reach, and technological edge. By integrating Aeromet’s advanced light alloy casting and proprietary A20X alloy technology, Pursuit is better positioned to meet the evolving needs of aerospace and defense customers globally. The deal reflects broader industry trends toward innovation, operational excellence, and supply chain optimization.
Looking ahead, the combined entity is poised to capitalize on robust market growth, driven by fleet renewals, defense modernization, and demand for lightweight, high-strength components. The successful integration of Aeromet’s expertise and Pursuit’s operational strengths will be critical in sustaining competitive advantage and delivering value to customers in a dynamic and rapidly evolving aerospace industry.
FAQ
What is the significance of Pursuit Aerospace’s acquisition of Aeromet International?
The acquisition expands Pursuit’s manufacturing capabilities, adds advanced light alloy casting expertise, and strengthens its position as a leading global supplier of aerospace components.
What is Aeromet’s A20X alloy and why is it important?
A20X is a proprietary cast aluminum alloy developed by Aeromet, recognized as the world’s strongest commercially available cast aluminum alloy. It offers superior strength, fatigue resistance, and temperature performance, making it ideal for demanding aerospace applications.
How does this acquisition reflect broader trends in the aerospace industry?
The deal exemplifies industry consolidation, the increasing importance of advanced materials and technologies, and the focus on operational excellence and supply chain resilience in aerospace manufacturing.
Who are the key leaders involved in the transaction?
Doug Folsom, CEO of Pursuit Aerospace, and Howard Kimberley, CEO of Aeromet International, are leading the integration, supported by private equity investors and an experienced board.
What are the future prospects for the combined company?
The combined entity is well positioned to benefit from growth in the global aircraft engine market, ongoing fleet renewals, and increased demand for lightweight, high-performance aerospace components.
Sources:
Photo Credit: Pursuit Aerospace
MRO & Manufacturing
Baxter Aerospace Invests $19.55M in Utah Manufacturing Facility
Baxter Aerospace expands into Washington County, Utah with a $19.55M facility to scale UAS and satellite comms production.
Baxter Aerospace will invest $19.55 million to lease and equip a new manufacturing facility in Washington County, Utah, transitioning its unmanned aircraft and communications systems from prototype development into full-scale production.
The expansion, announced in an October 8, 2026, press release by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), is projected to create 90 high-paying jobs over the next five years while strengthening the state’s aerospace and defense industrial base.
Transitioning to full-scale production
The new facility in Washington City will feature high-capacity infrastructure, specialized testing spaces, and security systems. This site is designed to support mission-critical work across aerospace, defense, satellite communications, autonomous aircraft, and public safety.
Baxter Aerospace CEO Jeff Baxter stated that expanding in southern Utah allows the company to increase manufacturing capacity and support growing customer needs. He noted the company is prepared to help shape the region’s aerospace future.
The project is backed by a Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) post-performance tax credit approved by the GOED. Under the agreement, Baxter Aerospace can earn a rebate of up to 30% on new state revenues generated over the five-year term, capped at $456,939.
State officials project the expansion will generate $20,758,160 in new state wages and $1,523,131 in new state tax revenue during that period. GOED Commissioner Jefferson Moss noted that the investment signals Utah’s economic future is fueled by frontier innovation. Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow added that the expansion connects local talent with emerging aerospace opportunities.
Scaling the BA-1 Dragonfly and defense portfolio
The manufacturing expansion follows a period of steady growth for the St. George-based defense and aerospace innovator. Brothers Jeff and Michael Baxter founded the company in 2015 following a severe Oregon wildfire, focusing their initial efforts on real-time sensing, resilient communications, and autonomous systems for emergency response and defense applications.
The company’s flagship aerospace product is the BA-1 Dragonfly. The Dragonfly is a Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, featuring over 12 hours of endurance.
Alongside the BA-1 Dragonfly, Baxter Aerospace produces deployable broadband satellite communications kits that utilize low Earth orbit (LEO) networks. The company also manufactures precision components for the fusion and nuclear energy sectors.
To support the scaling of these product lines, Baxter Aerospace secured a $6 million Series A funding round in July 2025. The capital was raised from the Department of Defense (DoD) Accelerator fund, managed by Accuidity Capital Management, specifically to accelerate production of the Dragonfly system and the deployable communications kits. The new Washington County facility represents the physical infrastructure required to execute that production scale-up between late 2026 and 2031.
Photo Credit: Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development
MRO & Manufacturing
IAI 777-300ERSF P2F Conversions Launch in North America
The first Boeing 777-300ER for P2F conversion in North America arrives at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona.
The first Boeing 777-300ER slated for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion in North America arrived at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona, on October 22, 2026. The induction marks the regional launch of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) modification program for the widebody twinjet.
The arrival of the World Star Aviation aircraft initiates operations at a newly expanded site designed to increase global capacity for the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, according to a joint press release issued by the companies.
Expanding global conversion capacity
Ascent Aviation Services, an independent aircraft aftermarket service provider and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class IV Part 145 certified repair station, will operate two parallel conversion lines at its Pinal Air Park campus. To accommodate the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, the company invested $70 million to construct two 90,000-square-foot widebody hangars. Ascent broke ground on the facilities on March 29, 2024, effectively tripling the site’s hangar capacity.
“The launch of Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions in North America marks an important milestone for IAI’s global conversion program,” Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI Aviation Group, stated in the release. “Together with Ascent Aviation Services, we are expanding production capacity and bringing our conversion capabilities closer to customers in the region.”
Ascent Aviation Services chief executive officer David Querio noted that the induction represents the beginning of a long-term partnership with IAI, with multiple Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions planned for the Marana site.
“Our vision is to shape the future of aviation by turning engineering innovation into lasting value for our customers,” IAI president and chief executive officer Guy Bar Lev added. “Passenger-to-freighter conversions are a key part of that vision, extending the productive life of aircraft and helping airlines adapt to changing market needs.”
World Star Aviation’s fleet strategy
The inaugural aircraft belongs to World Star Aviation, a full-service aircraft and engine lessor headquartered in London. The company specializes in mid-to-late life assets and manages a portfolio of approximately 150 aircraft and engines. This includes 60 narrowbody and widebody freighters currently on lease to cargo operators globally.
World Star Aviation partner Yoyo Allalouf cited the strength of the IAI program during a critical period for widebody passenger-to-freighter production as the primary driver for their selection.
“IAI’s dominance in the widebody P2F space, demonstrated by its Boeing 747 and 767 programs, together with our long-standing relationship, underpinned our decision to choose IAI for the 777-300ERSF,” added Garreth Slevin, partner at World Star Aviation.
The rise of the “Big Twin” freighter
The Boeing 777-300ERSF program, marketed as “The Big Twin,” launched on October 22, 2019, as a joint venture between IAI and GECAS, which was subsequently acquired by AerCap. It remains the only certified P2F conversion program for the Boeing 777-300ER.
The converted freighter offers 25 percent more cargo volume than a production Boeing 777-200LRF and 15 percent more volume than a Boeing 747-400BCF. This capacity positions the aircraft as a direct replacement for aging Boeing 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleets.
IAI brings over 50 years of experience to the program, having delivered more than 350 converted cargo aircraft across Boeing 747, 767, 737, and Airbus A330 platforms. The company currently holds a dominant market share in medium-size freighter conversions, particularly with the Boeing 767.
The 777-300ERSF recently transitioned from certification into commercial service. In August 2026, Challenge Group took delivery of its second 777-300ERSF, which marked the fifth redelivery of the type across the industry for the year.
AirPro News analysis
We view the activation of the Marana conversion lines as a critical step in maturing the Boeing 777-300ERSF program. By establishing a North American footprint, IAI mitigates geographic bottlenecks and provides operators with a domestic option for heavy modifications. The $70 million infrastructure investment by Ascent Aviation Services indicates strong long-term confidence in the widebody conversion market, even as the air cargo sector normalizes following pandemic-era peaks. As legacy quad-engine and tri-engine freighters approach mandatory retirement or become economically unviable, the availability of parallel conversion lines in the United States ensures IAI can capture a significant share of the impending widebody replacement cycle.
Photo Credit: IAI
MRO & Manufacturing
Cirrus Aircraft Breaks Ground on $8M Engine Run-Up Center
Cirrus Aircraft begins construction on a 15,000-sq-ft Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, MN, set to open summer 2027.
Cirrus Aircraft has commenced construction on an $8 million, 15,000-square-foot Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, Minnesota, moving critical engine testing and fuel calibration processes into a year-round, climate-controlled environment.
The new facility, detailed in a company press release on October 23, 2026, is designed to support the certification process for the SR Series, Vision Jet, and TRAC10 aircraft while reducing noise at the surrounding airport.
Centralizing certification operations
The Engine Run-Up Center will consolidate several final-phase manufacturing steps into a single enclosed building. The facility will house two calibration stalls dedicated to engine setup and testing, utilizing an 8-foot exhaust collector to ventilate the spaces. A separate climate-controlled control room will allow technicians to conduct data analysis during the testing phase.
In addition to the testing stalls, the building will include two stalls specifically engineered for fueling and defueling aircraft. These areas incorporate specialized fire protection systems and are designed to meet requirements for handling flammable fluids.
Cirrus Chief Executive Officer Zean Nielsen stated that engine run-ups and fuel system calibration are essential processes across aircraft manufacturing. He noted that the modern facility will allow the company to streamline these critical operations, improve efficiency, and provide team members with a dedicated environment to perform the work.
Expanding the Duluth manufacturing footprint
The new testing center adds to an existing corporate footprint that exceeds 1.3 million square feet. The majority of this infrastructure is located in Duluth, which serves as the primary production hub for the manufacturer.
Founded in 1984 and now publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Cirrus has manufactured more than 12,000 SR Series piston aircraft and Vision Jets to date. The groundbreaking follows closely on a major program milestone for the company. On October 21, 2026, Cirrus celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Vision Jet, the first single-engine personal jet to reach the market.
Patrick Waddick, President of Innovation & Operations at Cirrus, highlighted the scale of the company’s historical output in Duluth. He noted that the new facility expands a footprint where the company has produced its entire fleet of over 12,000 aircraft, adding that the manufacturer has spent decades challenging conventions through innovations that transform personal aviation.
Project timeline and operational impact
Construction on the Engine Run-Up Center is underway, with the facility expected to open and become fully operational by the summer of 2027. By moving engine testing indoors, the company anticipates a reduction in noise levels for the surrounding airport environment, a common challenge for manufacturers conducting high-power engine runs on open ramps.
The $8 million investment reflects broader efforts by the airframer to scale production capabilities in response to market requirements. Nielsen indicated that as the company continues to grow, investments in manufacturing infrastructure position Cirrus to meet customer demand while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Photo Credit: Cirrus Aircraft
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