MRO & Manufacturing
ATC Group Acquires Aero Controls to Expand MRO Platform
Air Transport Components acquires Seattle-based Aero Controls, adding Pacific Northwest MRO capacity and specialized repair capabilities.
Air Transport Components has acquired Seattle-based Aero Controls, Inc., expanding its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint into the Pacific Northwest and adding specialized engineering capabilities across highly technical ATA chapters.
Announced in a press release on June 4, 2026, the transaction marks the second add-on acquisition for Air Transport Components (ATC Group) since partnering with private investment firm AE Industrial Partners in June 2025. The integration of Aero Controls, Inc. (ACI) broadens ATC Group’s proprietary repair capabilities in avionics, electromechanical systems, pneumatics, transmissions, hydraulics, and emergency equipment.
Strategic expansion into the Pacific Northwest
Founded in 1984, ACI operates across three locations and holds certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA). The company will continue to operate as a business unit of ATC Group while retaining its existing leadership and team, including founder John Titus.
Jimmy Newman, CEO of ATC Group, stated that ACI’s engineering expertise and industry relationships complement the company’s existing operations.
“Coupled with the expanded geographic reach to the Pacific Northwest, a critical aviation hub, this transaction bolsters our value proposition as a one-stop-shop for blue-chip airline customers,” Newman said.
Titus noted that joining ATC Group provides an opportunity to accelerate growth and deliver repair solutions for aerospace technologies. XLCS Partners served as the exclusive M&A advisor to ACI during the transaction.
Building a scaled component MRO platform
AE Industrial Partners, which reported $9.2 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025, is utilizing ATC Group to build a diversified component MRO platform.
On April 8, 2026, ATC Group acquired PAS MRO, an Oklahoma-based provider of specialized bearing repair services. Combined with ATC Group’s existing 150,000 square feet of facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Gilbert, Arizona, the ACI acquisition significantly scales the platform’s capacity to serve commercial, cargo, and military operators.
Bryan McElwee, a partner at AE Industrial Partners, emphasized that the acquisition aligns with the firm’s vision of building a comprehensive MRO network. He noted the transaction adds new capabilities and positions the business for continued growth by leveraging ACI’s engineering expertise.
AirPro News analysis
The rapid succession of acquisitions by ATC Group highlights a broader consolidation trend within the aerospace MRO sector. By acquiring established, specialized shops like ACI and PAS MRO, private equity-backed platforms can quickly assemble comprehensive service portfolios that appeal to major airlines seeking to streamline their vendor networks. We expect AE Industrial Partners to continue targeting niche component repair stations to further build out ATC Group’s capabilities, particularly in high-demand areas like avionics and electromechanical systems where proprietary repair processes offer higher margins.
Photo Credit: Air Transport Components