UK-based aviation services business Complete Aircraft Group (CAG), part of JMC Group (JMC), has finalised its acquisition of business aviation MRO Part 145 provider and interiors and paint specialist Aerocare Aviation Services. This formally ratifies its September 2021 terms of agreement and cements CAG's move into business aircraft support.

The AASL team has been operating for over three decades, providing maintenance, repair, modifications, interior refurbishment and exterior paint, all to OEM standards. The Aerocare Aviation Services Limited name remains unchanged.

“We are delighted to be integrating Aerocare into Complete Aircraft Group. It is a company that has developed a great reputation in business aircraft support with a prestigious customer base. We look forward to maximising group synergy, not just within CAG through our work sourcing and managing high quality aircraft, aircraft tooling, parts and components for customers worldwide, but with our aircraft acquisition, tear down and oversight expertise, and especially, with our mobile repair team specialists,” says head of operations Alan Barnes.

Barnes and the Aerocare leadership team will work closely together to explore new business development opportunities and collaborative partnerships. Bolstering Aerocare's original aircraft manufacturer-endorsed paint facility at its Hawarden airport, Chester headquarters, is high on CAG's agenda.

“This is an area of immediate investment, involving the modification and widening of the hangar doors to accommodate bigger aircraft. We see increasing demand to tap into regional turboprop types for paint work, such as the de Havilland Q400 and ATR72, as well as supporting larger business jets like the Bombardier Challenger and Global family,” adds Barnes.

Exploring new aircraft markets for maintenance too is another firm interest. “Collaboration is a very important ethos in the group,” he stresses. “We believe there is need, and the market is big enough, for widened aftermarket support, maximising the capabilities of our combined 100 strong workforce. This is good for the UK too as we position ourselves as a reliable, efficient closing centre for pre-owned business aircraft inspections, post Brexit.”

Welcoming Aerocare into the Complete Aircraft Group and JMC Group, CEO Warren Crook adds: “Aerocare is a highly valued addition to our wide-ranging and expanding diverse aviation group. We very much look forward to integrating Aerocare's talented team over the next few months and continuing our desire to build partnerships and offer ever creative solutions. Corporate aviation is a dynamic sector that is constantly evolving and attracting new investment. This sector perfectly aligns to our business model, sits well in our business plan and we are pleased to be entering into this market through Aerocare.”

CAG has appointed Peter Mankelow as the new managing director of Aerocare. Mankelow joins the company with a wealth of experience in leading MRO services in both the civil and military aviation sectors. He says: “I feel privileged to be able to help build on Aerocare's existing strong legacy of providing maintenance, upgrade and refurbishment services to their business aviation customers. I'm looking forward to working with my new colleagues and leading the Aerocare business into the next stage of growth and development.”

Following a period of handover, Jason Davies will join the CAG business development team where he will play an important role further developing CAG's portfolio of services whilst remaining connected to Aerocare's highly valued customer base. Aviation Park Group managing director Caroline Gardner says: “We are delighted to see our valued tenant, Aerocare Aviation Services, move into an exciting new chapter within the Complete Aircraft Group. At a time when aftermarket and technical support is vital as our industry rebuilds after the challenges of the global pandemic, being able to draw on synergies, complementary skills, as well as pledged new investment, Aerocare is well placed to grow and flourish.

“Aerocare and Aviation Park have enjoyed a strong partnership these past five years at Hawarden Chester airport. The business benefits from being based at a vibrant, flexible and forward-thinking aviation park, offering great logistics and skilled workforce links to the north west of England and north Wales. We too benefit from the kudos and stability of having Aerocare at our facility. This new development enables us to maximise our own partnership with it.”