VTC

What VTC does

VTC (Vic Thompson Company) is a privately held professional services firm founded in 1994 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, specializing in the planning, design, and construction management of baggage handling systems (BHS), checked baggage inspection systems (CBIS), and security screening checkpoint (SSCP) systems. The firm serves US airports and port authorities, commercial airlines, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and describes itself as the US market leader in BHS design innovation with more than 300 projects completed at over 90 sites nationwide.

The company's core technology platform comprises proprietary AutoMod-based simulation modeling, validated to within 4% of actual system throughput, and the Airport Integration Test Lab (AITL), a 33,500-square-foot independent testing facility launched in 2010. VTC is reportedly the only BHS design firm in the United States to own and operate its own operational BHS, and its Third Party Testing (TPT) results are formally accepted by TSA for qualifying explosives detection equipment. VTC's leadership was instrumental in establishing EtherNet/IP as a standard for baggage system communications.

VTC operates as a design-build prime contractor with a full lifecycle service offering spanning master planning, demand forecasting, simulation, program and project management, construction administration and management, quality assurance, testing and commissioning, training, post-commissioning support, third-party evaluation, and peer review. Revenue is generated through professional services engagements, primarily project-based contracts with airport authorities, airlines, and federal agencies. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise sales led by a Chief Business Development Officer, with deep relationships across major US airports and federal stakeholders. In March 2024, VTC expanded its technology portfolio through a partnership with Leonardo to introduce cross-belt sorter technology (MBHS) into the US BHS market via Southwest Airlines' transfer baggage facility at Denver International Airport.

Name

VTC

Legal name

Vic Thompson Company

Website

https://vtc.us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VTC (Vic Thompson Company) is a US-based professional services firm founded in 1994 that specializes in the planning, design, and construction management of baggage handling, checked baggage inspection, and security screening systems for airports, airlines, and the TSA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. BHS/CBIS Design and Engineering Services: VTC provides comprehensive planning, design, construction management, testing, and implementation support services for Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) and Checked Baggage Inspection Systems (CBIS). Revenue is generated through professional services engagements, likely project-based or contract-based fees, serving airports, airlines, and TSA under various contractual arrangements.
2. Airport Security Systems Design and Integration: VTC designs and implements integrated airport security solutions including Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) systems. Services span master planning, system design, construction administration, quality assurance, testing and commissioning, and post-commissioning support.
3. Installation & Integration Services: VTC provides on-site installation, integration, controls engineering, system site acceptance testing, and oversight of vendor training and maintenance support for security screening equipment. Clients for these services include TSA, Leidos, Raytheon, L3, and Smiths Detection.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

VTC (Vic Thompson Company) provides planning, design, construction management, and integration services for airport Baggage Handling Systems (BHS), Checked Baggage Inspection Systems (CBIS), and Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) systems. The firm serves as prime contractor to airports, airlines, and the TSA for turnkey design-build projects and operates the proprietary Airport Integration Test Lab (AITL) for independent third-party testing of security screening equipment.

Product overview

VTC (Vic Thompson Company) is a US market leader in BHS design innovation, offering an integrated platform of airport security solutions comprising three core products: Baggage Handling Systems (BHS), Checked Baggage Inspection Systems (CBIS), and Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) systems. These core systems are supported by specialized add-on modules including the Airport Integration Test Lab (AITL) for independent testing, Simulation Modeling Services for design validation, and comprehensive Design & Construction Services. VTC also incorporates Leonardo's cross-belt sorter technology (MBHS) into its BHS offerings. The company operates the only BHS facility of its kind in the US with its own operational BHS system, providing unique hands-on technical expertise across planning, design, construction, and post-commissioning support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Baggage Handling Systems (BHS)

Quantifiable outcome

• BHS/EDS systems designed by VTC at Houston Hobby Airport perform with throughput that far exceeds TSA standards and error rates at or below the national average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LeonardocoreTechnology or Integration · 12 March 2024VTC partnered with Leonardo to design and deliver a new Baggage Handling System for Southwest Airlines' transfer baggage facility at Denver International Airport (DEN), utilizing Leonardo's cross-belt sorter (MBHS – Multi-sorting Baggage Handling System). This partnership marks a landmark introduction of cross-belt sorter technology into the US BHS market. Leonardo provides the MBHS equipment while VTC leads the BHS design, positioning VTC as the US market leader embracing this new technology standard.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Parsons Corporation: Large US engineering and federal services firm with significant FAA/TSA contracts and strong airport systems practice. Comparable to VTC as a frequent teaming partner on BHS projects (and prior customer), with broader infrastructure and federal security capabilities that complement VTC's niche specialization.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with a large US airport practice. Functions as both a partner (listed in VTC's engineering consultant network) and an incumbent competitor on large airport modernization programs that include BHS scope.
• Jacobs Engineering: Major US engineering services firm with FAA and airport infrastructure credentials. Comparable to VTC as both a partner on BHS-related scopes and a broad incumbent capable of leading mega-programs in which VTC could serve as a sub.
• Burns & McDonnell: US employee-owned engineering firm with significant aviation design practice. Functions both as a VTC teaming partner on BHS projects and as a broader incumbent capable of delivering full airport scopes including baggage subsystems.
• Leidos: Federal security prime holding the TSA Screening Maintenance and Logistics Support contract. Comparable because Leidos is both a VTC customer (relying on VTC for installation/integration) and a broad incumbent that could absorb or displace VTC's TSA work over time.

Direct peers

• Daifuku: Japanese parent of Daifuku Airport Technologies, a major US BHS installer (formerly JBT). Comparable to VTC as a turnkey BHS design–build provider that owns and operates baggage handling equipment for global airports.
• Beumer Group: German family-owned BHS and air cargo system integrator with extensive US airport references. Overlaps with VTC on airport baggage handling design and integration services, particularly for large-hub BHS programs.
• Vanderlande: Dutch-headquartered global BHS integrator and asset manufacturer serving airports worldwide. Directly comparable to VTC as a BHS-focused partner delivering integrated baggage handling design, equipment, and lifecycle support to major airports.
• Siemens Logistics: Siemens' airport logistics business, offering BHS design, integration, and post-commissioning services alongside OEM baggage products. Directly comparable to VTC's airport baggage and security systems design scope.

Emerging players

• SITA: Air transport IT specialist serving airports and airlines with digital and operational systems. Comparable to VTC as an adjacent airport-systems vendor increasingly active in baggage analytics, tracking, and operations software that complement physical BHS designs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vic-thompson-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VTC