24 September 2019
CataCap acquires global aviation aftermarket specialist AerFin
CataCap has, in partnership with management, acquired UK-based AerFin Holdings from CarVal Investors. AerFin is a leading global specialist in aftermarket support solutions to the aviation industry. Led by an experienced team of aviation experts, they offer bespoke services ranging from whole aircraft and engine sale or lease, through to sale of spares parts and tailored flight-hour component support solutions.
CataCap will become the majority shareholder in the group, which generated revenues of DKK 760 million and EBITDA of DKK 140 million in 2018. Together with founder and CEO Bob James and the leadership team, CataCap is looking to strengthen the platform and prepare the business for further international expansion.
The acquisition of AerFin marks CataCap’s second platform investment in the aviation aftermarket sector. In addition, the investment in AerFin is the first CataCap platform investment outside Denmark. Long term CataCap investor Schroder Adveq joins as co-investor in the transaction.
AerFin has realised revenue growth of 38% per year from 2015 to 2018 by extending the useful life of aircraft parts, driving cost-effective solutions for airlines, combined with making a positive contribution to the environment through recycling of parts. The aviation aftermarket is generally attractive with strong underlying growth drivers, including a projected yearly increase in spend on used serviceable materials of 6-7% per year through 2029, driven primarily by an increased focus on costs and environmental impact in the airline sector.
”AerFin is an outstanding compay in a sector that has global reach. AerFin has received several awards for solid growth and has been in our sight for quite some time. We are truly impressed with the strength of the business model and the leadership team we are backing. Following our acquisition of TP Aerospace in 2017, we have developed a clear ambition of increasing our exposure in the sector. This is an industry we know well and we are convinced that Aerfin is an excellent platform and that CataCap is the right partner for AerFin to help drive continued growth”, says Peter Ryttergaard, Partner in CataCap.
AerFin founder and CEO Bob James, who will retain a significant equity interest in the business, supported by the existing leadership team, said: ”I am delighted to announce the partnership and investment from CataCap who I firmly believe will be the catalyst for continued sustainable growth and business development through their strategic alignment of interests bringing a true collaborative approach to our employees and our strategic partners”.
Plans for continued expansion.
Bob James and the current leadership team will continue to lead the business following the transaction with the clear ambition of continuing the organic growth journey. As part of the transaction, the company has secured adequate financing to support continued growth and business development. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place in October 2019. CataCap was assisted by Baker & Mckenzie, Deloitte and Oliver Wyman, as its legal, financial and commercial advisor, respectively. The shareholders of AerFin were advised by EY Corporate Finance, A&L Goodbody and KMPG. Management was assisted by Osborne Clarke and Grant Thornton.
For more information, please contact:
CataCap
Peter Ryttergaard, Partner
Tel.: +45 30 20 36 04
E-mail: pry@catacap.dk
EY
Charles Berkeley
Tel. +44 20 7760 9189
E-mail: cberkeley@uk.ey.com
AerFin
Bob James, CEO
Tel.: +44 29 2010 9891
E-mail: bob.james@aerfin.com
Share this article
About CataCap
CataCap invests in small and medium-sized companies which have a significant development potential and an innovative business model with a long-term raison d’être.
The concept is to act as a catalyst for sustainable business growth through a systematic and consistent approach for strengthening business development, operational processes and management competencies in an active collaboration with a number of strategic partners and the companies’ management and employees.
CataCap is an active and engaged owner. The purpose of the systematic hands-on approach to develop the fund’s companies is to increase the speed and durability of the companies’ business growth and thus create long-term value for all of the stakeholders and stable, higher returns for investors.
www.catacap.dk/about
About AerFin
AerFin Ltd is a leading specialist in aircraft and engine component support services and MRO solutions, with an extensive inventory holding supporting airlines and MRO customers world-wide with quality used serviceable inventory to reduce maintenance costs. With a particular focus on narrow-body and regional EJet aircraft AerFin provides a portfolio of services under Power By the Hour (PBH) support packages for airlines, as well as engine and APU leasing and innovative material supply programs for MROs. AerFin also provides engine disassembly services for CF34, CFM and RR engines from its UK based technical facility.
www.aerfin.com
About CarVal Investors
CarVal Investors is a leading global alternative investment manager focused on distressed and credit-intensive assets and market inefficiencies. Since 1987, CarVal’s team has navigated through ever-changing credit market cycles, opportunistically investing $116 billion in 5,360 transactions across 80 countries. Today, CarVal Investors has $10 billion in assets under management in corporate securities, loan portfolios, structured credit and hard assets.
www.carvalinvestors.com