In September 2024, Baird Capital, a US and UK based mid-market private equity firm, completed the sale of ecube, a world’s leading end-of-life aircraft services provider to Unical Aviation Inc (“Unical”), a US-Headquartered supplier of aftermarket aircraft parts and portfolio company of Platinum Equity.
Kroll served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Baird Capital in connection with the sale, providing M&A Advisory Services.
“We are proud to have played a part in growing ecube into the global market leader in end-of-life aircraft services. Working with Lee and the whole team at ecube has been a fantastic partnership founded on shared ambition, respect and values, and we are excited to see what they go on to achieve next.”
James Benfield, Partner of Baird Capital
“It’s been a real pleasure working with Kroll's Investment Banking Practice on this transaction. Kroll has continued to demonstrate a deep understanding of our business, ultimately maximizing shareholder value through a well-driven M&A process. We could not have chosen a better partner.”
Lee McConnellogue, CEO of ecube
“We are delighted to have advised the vendors on the sale of ecube to Unical. This follows the successful acquisition by ecube in 2020. Led by Lee McConnellogue, CEO, ecube has successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and the ever-changing commercial aircraft production outlook to become the market-leader in end-of-life aircraft services. We wish Unical the very best as they support the business on its next phase of development.”
Dafydd Evans, Managing Director in Kroll's Investment Banking Practice
About ecube
ecube provides expertise in a range of core services, to deliver customer-focused solutions for global aircraft owners and operators, enabling them to protect their asset values, respond to market opportunities and ultimately maximise the return from their assets. Core services include aircraft part out and disposal, engine disassembly, parking, customs management, crating fabrication, line maintenance and parts storage across the UK, U.S. and Spain.
About Baird Capital
Baird Capital manages two investment platforms, Venture Capital and Global Private Equity, and invests in B2B technology and services-focused companies worldwide. Founded in 1989, the group focuses on investing in subsectors where it has deep institutional knowledge and leveraging global operating capabilities to support the operational and growth needs of partner companies. Baird Capital is the direct private investment arm of Robert W. Baird & Co.
Baird Capital Partners Europe Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
About Unical
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Glendale, AZ, Unical Aviation supplies aircraft parts and components to thousands of aviation customers around the globe. With roughly 90 million parts and over 1 million unique airframe and engine part numbers in stock, Unical is one of the largest suppliers of new and used serviceable material for the commercial aerospace industry. Unical's recently expanded engines business and vertically integrated MRO and 145 repair affiliate companies provide a full and comprehensive aftermarket parts and service solution to the world's most trusted airlines, OEMs, and MROs.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 28 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions.
