Key Takeaways
- • Platinum Equity completed the sale of Unical Aviation Inc. and subsidiary ecube Solutions to Satair (an Airbus company) on May 11, 2026, following a five-year hold period that began with the 2021 acquisition.
- • Unical underwent a comprehensive four-year operational transformation program that included leadership restructuring, technology modernization (ERP, auto-quoting, e-commerce systems), facility optimization, and inventory diversification across narrowbody and next-generation aircraft platforms.
- • The strategic add-on acquisition of ecube Solutions enhanced Unical's end-of-life aircraft services and global geographic footprint, positioning the combined entity as a more competitive aerospace aftermarket platform.
- • Platinum Equity's operational improvements focused on building resilient infrastructure—modernized technology platforms, optimized cost structure through facility relocation, and establishment of dedicated asset management capabilities—positioning Unical for sustained growth under new ownership.
- • Jefferies and Fifth Third Securities provided financial advisory services, with ReedSmith handling legal counsel on the transaction.
Summary
Platinum Equity announced the completion of its sale of Unical Aviation Inc. to Satair, an Airbus company, on May 11, 2026. The transaction includes Unical, a global supplier of aerospace aftermarket solutions specializing in Used Serviceable Material (USM) and aircraft parts components, along with its subsidiary ecube Solutions, which provides aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services. The sale represents a successful exit following Platinum Equity's 2021 acquisition of the business.
The five-year holding period was marked by an extensive operational transformation. Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President of Platinum Equity, characterized the completion as "the successful culmination of a four-year transformation at Unical," noting that the firm "modernized operations, strengthened leadership, and positioned the business for long-term growth." Under Platinum Equity's stewardship, Unical built a new leadership team composed of seasoned aerospace aftermarket professionals and modernized its technology infrastructure with new enterprise resource planning (ERP), auto-quoting, and e-commerce systems designed to enhance scalability.
Operational improvements extended to facility optimization, with Unical relocating its headquarters and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations to a purpose-built, lower-cost facility that reduced structural costs while expanding capability. The firm diversified its inventory to include narrowbody and next-generation aircraft and engine content, broadening its addressable market. A dedicated asset management team was established to maximize returns on inventory holdings. The 2024 acquisition of ecube Solutions strategically enhanced Unical's end-of-life services capabilities and global footprint, creating a more integrated platform.
Dan Krasner, Managing Director at Platinum Equity, stated: "The investments we made in people, systems, and inventory have created a more resilient operating platform that is well positioned to support customers in a rapidly evolving aerospace market." The transaction was supported by Jefferies and Fifth Third Securities as financial advisors and ReedSmith as legal counsel. Platinum Equity, founded in 1995 and managing approximately $48 billion in assets under management across roughly 60 operating companies, has completed more than 550 acquisitions over three decades.
The five-year holding period was marked by an extensive operational transformation. Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President of Platinum Equity, characterized the completion as "the successful culmination of a four-year transformation at Unical," noting that the firm "modernized operations, strengthened leadership, and positioned the business for long-term growth." Under Platinum Equity's stewardship, Unical built a new leadership team composed of seasoned aerospace aftermarket professionals and modernized its technology infrastructure with new enterprise resource planning (ERP), auto-quoting, and e-commerce systems designed to enhance scalability.
Operational improvements extended to facility optimization, with Unical relocating its headquarters and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations to a purpose-built, lower-cost facility that reduced structural costs while expanding capability. The firm diversified its inventory to include narrowbody and next-generation aircraft and engine content, broadening its addressable market. A dedicated asset management team was established to maximize returns on inventory holdings. The 2024 acquisition of ecube Solutions strategically enhanced Unical's end-of-life services capabilities and global footprint, creating a more integrated platform.
Dan Krasner, Managing Director at Platinum Equity, stated: "The investments we made in people, systems, and inventory have created a more resilient operating platform that is well positioned to support customers in a rapidly evolving aerospace market." The transaction was supported by Jefferies and Fifth Third Securities as financial advisors and ReedSmith as legal counsel. Platinum Equity, founded in 1995 and managing approximately $48 billion in assets under management across roughly 60 operating companies, has completed more than 550 acquisitions over three decades.
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