Financially healthy aftermarket companies are looking to the future again with acquisitions and expanded capabilities, especially in regional markets that, though depressed by virus restrictions recently, still have robust prospects.
For example, the Precision Aviation Group, which repairs over 25,000 products, including accessories, avionics, dynamic components, fuel accessories, hydraulics, instruments, starter, generators, landing gear and wheels and brakes, has acquired Brazil’s EFIX Aviation Support, which works on landing gear, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical accessories, starter generators, batteries and avionics, all under both ANAC and EASA certifications.
PAG CEO David Mast says he is looking forward to working with the EFIX Team as his company continues to expand its MRO and supply chain services in Latin America. The addition of EFIX gives PAG its 11th repair station globally and further diversifies PAG’s MRO capabilities by expanding its capabilities into landing gear, hydraulic and pneumatic component services.
“Additionally, EFIX expands PAG’s footprint in Brazil, where we’ve had a presence since 2015, enabling our customers to benefit from in-country MRO support and expanded local inventory levels, quicker turnaround times, and expanded AOG support.”
Ricardo Malato, president of EFIX, says the acquisition by PAG will enable EFIX to provide enhanced capabilities for customers in avionics, LCD repairs, accessories, instruments, fuel components, and wheels and brakes. “These capabilities are supported by our immediate access to PAG’s inventory valued at more than $45 million, including products from over 80 OEMs,” Malato says.
PAG has also been expanding its footprint in Asia-Pacific. In 2012, it opened its Brisbane, Australia, Precision Accessories and Instruments (PAI) office with just two employees and 5,000 square feet of space at Brisbane Airport.
That space has now been expanded to 34,000 square feet of warehouse and office space. And, from the initial staff of two, PAI Australia now has 15 employees with another four in a satellite office in Singapore.
Beginning with the repair of starter generators and hydraulics, PAI Australia’s shop now also services searchlights, wheels and brakes, blowers, power supplies and more. In addition to supporting Australian aviation, PAI is now doing repairs for aircraft in Indonesia, Japan and India.