Aerospace & Defense Acquisitions in Illinois

Astronics Corporation has acquired Envoy Aerospace for approximately $8 million, adding Envoy's FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) capabilities and a team of nine employees. The acquisition strengthens Astronics' certification and modification capabilities—streamlining FAA STC and PMA approvals to support its aircraft connectivity, in-seat power, and cabin modification offerings.

Funds managed by Greenbriar Equity Group have acquired West Star Aviation, a leading business aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, from The Sterling Group. Financial terms were not disclosed; Greenbriar said it will leverage its aviation aftermarket experience to accelerate West Star's growth and enhance its service capabilities across the company's national facilities and AOG technician network.

Capitol Meridian Partners (CMP) completed a majority investment in LAUNCH, a provider of technical workforce solutions and aviation services. The deal will keep LAUNCH management in place with a significant ownership stake while CMP supports accelerated growth through geographic expansion, technology investment, and enhanced service offerings; terms were not disclosed.

Blackstone Credit & Insurance provided over $1 billion in new financings to support the recapitalization of Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), joining equity alongside existing sponsors GTCR and Genstar Capital. The financing (part of >$1.8 billion in debt and equity provided by Blackstone-managed funds) is intended to strengthen JSSI's capital structure, enhance operational capabilities, and support continued growth in the business aviation aftermarket.

Jet Parts Engineering (JPE), a portfolio company of Vance Street Capital, has acquired Mitchell PMA, the PMA division carved out from Mitchell Aircraft. The add-on expands JPE's FAA-PMA product portfolio and engineering capabilities, bringing over 170 PMA parts and experienced staff into the JPE platform while Mitchell Aircraft continues operating its OEM distribution business independently.

First Aviation Services Inc., a Westport, Connecticut-based aircraft parts manufacturer and MRO services provider, has acquired Saint Technologies Inc., the Shannon, Illinois maker of REALLOCK self-locking washers. The purchase brings REALLOCK's lightweight, safety-wire-replacing locking hardware into First Aviation's engineering-driven portfolio to support aerospace and defense applications.

INOA Capital, a Rosemont, Illinois-based private equity firm focused on aviation and airport services, has acquired InFlight Entertainment Products (IFE) and Video Refurbishing Services. The acquisition — advised on the sell-side by Kreshmore Group — closed on August 30, 2024; terms were not disclosed.

Veritas Capital’s Vantage Fund has made a strategic growth investment in Epiq Solutions, a provider of software-defined radio and turnkey RF solutions for government and enterprise customers. Epiq’s co-founders will remain in leadership and retain significant ownership; financial terms were not disclosed. Veritas says it will support product advancement, national expansion, and targeted acquisitions to scale the business.

The Sterling Group, a middle-market private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of West Star Aviation from Norwest Equity Partners. West Star is a leading independent provider of MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) services to the business aviation industry with primary locations in East Alton, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Perryville, Missouri.

Charlotte-based private equity firm Summit Park completed a majority recapitalization of Elliott Aviation, a Moline, Illinois-based provider of MRO, FBO and aircraft sales/brokerage services. Stellus Capital Management provided unitranche debt financing to support the transaction, and Elliott's founder Wynn Elliott retains a minority ownership stake while Summit Park will partner with management to pursue growth.

Cornerstone Capital Holdings acquired AeroGen-TEK (formerly MECO) from Doncasters Group Ltd, completing Doncasters' planned divestiture of its North American fabrications businesses. AeroGen-TEK, based in Paris, Illinois, makes precision metal fabrications and machined components for aerospace, industrial gas turbine and marine OEMs and will continue to be led by President Tim Hough under Cornerstone's ownership.