Welsh aviation firm AerFin bought in £475m deal
The company, which was majority owned by a private equity firm, said it was beginning a "new chapter".
Welsh aviation firm AerFin bought in £475m deal
The company said it was beginning a "new chapter"
A Newport aviation business that has expanded into a worldwide supplier of aircraft engines, parts and maintenance services has been acquired in a deal valued at about £475m.
Japanese company ORIX Aviation has agreed to buy AerFin, which employs more than 230 people and operates from locations in the UK and across the globe.
Established by Bob James, AerFin has grown from a south Wales company into a global specialist in the aviation aftermarket.
When announcing the takeover, AerFin said it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the company.
The business - which was majority owned by a private equity firm before the sale - buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and components.
In 2025, the company moved into a new purpose-built, 116,000 sq ft facility, external at Indurent Park in Newport.
ORIX Aviation is the aircraft leasing division of Japanese financial services giant the ORIX Group.
Simon Goodson, AerFin's chief executive, said the deal would help grow the business
Chief executive Simon Goodson described the acquisition as a "defining moment" in the company's history.
"I am delighted that AerFin is joining the ORIX Group, a business that shares our values and belief in trusted partnerships, flexible solutions and finding the way ahead for our customers," he said.
He said backing from the wider ORIX Group would provide "the confidence and platform" to expand the aviation business.
"This is a defining moment in AerFin's story and the beginning of an exciting new chapter," said Goodson.
AerFin has built its current business around extending the life of aircraft and engines through trading, leasing, repair and reuse.
It helps airlines and aviation companies source parts and manage assets. The company says it serves more than 600 organisations.
AerFin moved into a new purpose-built facility in Newport last year
For ORIX Aviation, the acquisition broadens its activities beyond aircraft ownership and leasing into aftermarket services and end-of-life aircraft management.
The company said the combination would enhance its capabilities across the full lifecycle of an aircraft.
James Meyler, chief executive of ORIX Aviation, said AerFin had built "a leading aviation aftermarket platform" backed by deep technical expertise and an international customer base.
The sale also represents the exit of Danish private equity investor CataCap, which had been the majority shareholder in AerFin.
Founder Bob James said he was pleased to see the business move to what he called "a long-term home", able to support AerFin's next stage of growth.
"I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one," James said.