Platinum Equity has announced the completion of its sale of Unical Aviation to Satair, an Airbus company, following a comprehensive four-year operational transformation program. The transaction includes Unical, a global aircraft parts and components supplier of Used Serviceable Material, and its subsidiary ecube Solutions, a global expert in aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Platinum Equity acquired Unical in 2021 and since then oversaw a wide-ranging transformation that included building a new leadership team of seasoned aerospace aftermarket professionals, modernizing technology platforms including a new ERP, auto-quoting, and e-commerce systems, optimizing the geographic footprint and relocating headquarters and MRO operations to a purpose-built lower-cost facility, diversifying inventory to include narrowbody and next-generation aircraft and engine content, establishing a dedicated asset management team, and completing the strategic add-on acquisition of ecube to enhance end-of-life services and global footprint.
For Satair, the acquisition creates a premier end-to-end global provider of Used Serviceable Material and aircraft lifecycle solutions by combining Unical’s extensive inventory and distribution network, ecube’s disassembly and storage capabilities, and Satair’s existing USM expertise through VAS Aero Services. Sharon Green, CEO of Unical, will assume the additional role of CEO of VAS Aero Services to ensure strategic alignment across Satair’s USM business units. Jefferies and Fifth Third Securities served as financial advisors to Unical, with ReedSmith serving as legal counsel.
KEY QUOTES:
“The completion of this transaction marks the successful culmination of a four-year transformation at Unical. Working alongside management, we modernized operations, strengthened leadership, and positioned the business for long-term growth. Unical is exiting our stewardship as a stronger, more competitive platform, and we believe it is well placed to continue building momentum under Satair and Airbus.”
Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President, Platinum Equity
“Today is a major step forward. Bringing Unical and ecube into our business isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s about leveraging the circular economy to the benefit of our customers. We’re gaining excellent facilities and, crucially, a team of highly skilled professionals in the USM market. For our customers, this means better parts availability and a simpler way to manage an aircraft’s full lifecycle.”
Richard Stoddart, CEO, Satair and Head of Airbus Material Services
