GDC Technics, the San Antonio, Texas-based aircraft engineering, modification and completion services company that was acquired by Saudi Arabia's MAZ Aviation in 2013, has revealed a new company ownership structure and shared strategic vision with new partners Oriole Capital Group and Trive Capital, both based in the US.

“Over the last five years GDC has made tremendous strides to become the industry leader in aircraft completion and modification services, with engineering and certification capabilities that are unmatched in the industry,” says MAZ Aviation chairman Mohammad Alzeer. “With recent signature contract wins and new ownership that broadens GDC's market reach and industry expertise, we believe 2019 will be a transformative year for the company. We are pleased to welcome both Oriole and Trive Capital's support of GDC.”

Trive managing partner Conner Searcy comments: “As a Dallas-based firm, Trive has tracked GDC's momentum closely and has seen firsthand the confidence aircraft manufacturers and key customers place in the company. We look forward to working with both Oriole and MAZ to continue GDC's trajectory and help identify and collaborate on new ways to unlock value from the platform that GDC has created.”

Oriole Capital Group COO Brad Foreman adds: “Our involvement in the aviation industry spans more than 35 years and we are excited to be part of GDC. In addition to its completion capabilities it has excellent aircraft engineering, modification and certification capabilities, as well as unmatched facilities in North America. These, in combination with GDC's strong track record and significant high profile 2018 contract wins, ideally position the company for continued completions and modifications leadership and expanded services growth. Investing in GDC complements our other aviation investments and we look forward to actively participating, alongside our partners MAZ and Trive, in the continued global growth and development of GDC.”

GDC plans to maintain its industry leadership in VVIP modification services, while leveraging the firm's capabilities in design, composite/structural engineering and certification into new markets such as commercial and military modifications, communication and avionics upgrades, structural modifications and support services. To this end it has appointed former naval aviator and industry leader Brad Foreman as CEO. “With business experience in 47 countries and a history of leading aerospace and defence groups towards profitable market growth, Mr Foreman's knowledge and capability will serve as a guiding light at the forefront of GDC's future expansion,” says Alzeer. “His established knowledge of both US and international aerospace and defence markets ensures GDC will be well positioned to compete for a variety of programmes that leverage the company's unique capabilities.”

Previously Foreman held leadership roles at Thales Aerospace and was chairman of its board of defence and security in the US and president and CEO of Thales Avionics. During his tenure there he oversaw development of in-flight entertainment, flight deck avionics and advanced mission systems for both commercial and military programmes.

Prior to that he held various roles at the Boeing Company including director of the B717 programme office and the creation and management of the largest aircraft conversion programme in commercial aviation history, the MD-10 programme for Federal Express, for which he was awarded the Aviation Week & Space Technology Laurels Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aeronautics and Propulsion.

“It is an exciting time at GDC and a real privilege to lead the company's next phase of expansion,” he comments. “GDC is clearly unique in the industry in terms of scale and in-house capabilities and I look forward to building on the company's customer-focused reputation for quality and innovation.”