Marshall Aerospace, the British military maintenance and special mission conversion specialist with roots going back to 1909, has been bought by the private equity investor AURELIUS, according to the company.
The acquisition completed on 8 October and separates Marshall Aerospace from the wider Marshall Group, leaving it as an independent mid-tier British aerospace and defence company.
Bob Baxter, the chief executive of Marshall Aerospace, said: “This change of ownership is an important new chapter for Marshall Aerospace as an independent mid-tier British aerospace and defence company.
“In AURELIUS, we have found an owner that recognises the strength of our capabilities and the importance of the work we are delivering for our customers. Just as importantly, they have the expertise and resources to back our next phase of growth and capitalise on emerging opportunities as the defence industry continues to transform.”
The company works in military maintenance, repair and overhaul, applied aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing, supporting operators from the Royal Norwegian Air Force to the US Marine Corps and acting as a supplier to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Thales.
Marshall holds a multi-year agreement covering entry into service and sustainment for twelve C-130J aircraft bought by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, and a fourteen-year contract from Thales to produce sonar modules for the Royal Navy.
The C-130 is the aircraft the company is best known for, having supported the Hercules since 1966 and earned a series of world-first accreditations and permissions on the type. Its design organisation approvals let it plan, integrate and certify complete programmes, from avionics upgrades to bespoke special mission conversions.
AURELIUS describes itself as a global private equity investor with an operational approach, and says the combination gives Marshall a platform for its next phase of growth and opportunities to contribute to defence programmes important to Britain and its allies.
Marshall Aerospace moved its operations from Cambridge Airport to a new facility at Cranfield under a relocation announced several years ago, as part of the wider group’s plans for the Cambridge site.
Not sure what the answer is with these small defence companies an PE ownership. Government golden shares seem to have worked well at RR,BAE and OneWeb so perhaps that’s the best model moving forward.
Ah yes, those ex RAF sunset capability Hercules that were past it but happily bought by the Turks.
Liebour allowing this. Next allowing Germany into Tempest delaying the project by years and giving away UK share of work….oh wait they have already done that too.