Welsh aviation firm AerFin bought in £475m deal

A Newport aviation company, that has grown into a global supplier of aircraft engines, parts and maintenance services, has been bought in a deal worth about £475m.

Japanese firm ORIX Aviation has agreed to acquire AerFin, which employs more than 230 people and operates from sites in the UK and around the world.

Founded by Bob James, AerFin has developed from a south Wales business into a global aviation aftermarket specialist.

Announcing the takeover, AerFin described it as the start of a new chapter for the company.

The firm - which was majority owned by a private equity company prior to 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 arm of Japanese financial services giant the ORIX Group.

Chief executive Simon Goodson called the acquisition 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 support from the wider ORIX Group would provide "the confidence and platform" to grow 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 existing 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 claims to serve more than 600 organisations.

For ORIX Aviation, the acquisition expands its activities beyond aircraft ownership and leasing, into aftermarket services and end-of-life aircraft management.

The company said the combination would strengthen its capabilities across the entire lifecycle of an aircraft.

James Meyler, chief executive of ORIX Aviation, said AerFin had built "a leading aviation aftermarket platform" supported by extensive technical expertise and an international customer base.

The sale also marks 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 described as "a long-term home", capable of supporting AerFin's next phase of expansion.

"I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one," James said.