What Align Aerospace does

Align Aerospace is a privately held, global aerospace hardware distribution and supply chain services company headquartered in Chatsworth, California, with additional regional operations in Collegien (France), Zhuhai (China), Hong Kong, and Arlington, Texas. Founded in 1972 as Alatec Products, the company operates under its current name following a 2011 reorganization by Greenbriar Equity and a 2015 acquisition by AVIC International, a Chinese state-owned aerospace conglomerate. It serves as a fully franchised authorized distributor for the three dominant aerospace fastener manufacturers — HOWMET Aerospace (Alcoa), Precision Castparts Corp (PCC), and LISI Aerospace — carrying more than 100,000 unique parts sourced from over 2,500 suppliers globally. Beyond core fastener, seal, bearing, and proprietary-part products, the company distributes a complementary suite of supply chain services.

The company's value proposition is built on integrated supply chain solutions rather than pure product resale. Its service portfolio includes Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) with Forward Stocking Locations and back-end IT integration, Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) with fixed pricing, kitting solutions with full lot-level traceability, bin/Kanban management, integrated consignment and dedicated inventory, third-party logistics (3PL), and spot-buy support. It operates three quality-management labs staffed by 30+ dedicated employees using Keyence image machines, automated vision inspection, optical comparators, toolmaker's microscopes, and thermo XRF analyzers, and holds AS9100D, AS9120B, FAA AC00-56B, EN9120:2018, ISO9001:2015, and AS13001 delegated-inspection certifications. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware distribution transactions combined with managed-services revenue from multi-year LTAs and VMI contracts, with pricing quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales targeting Tier 1 aerospace OEMs and their subcontractors — including Boeing, Airbus, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell, UTC/RTX, Bombardier, Embraer, Bell, Sikorsky, Spirit AeroSystems, Triumph, Parker, and Daher — with program management teams, secured customer portals, 24/7 online inventory lookup, and electronic Request for Quote tools. Customer recognition includes the RTX Premier Award (2024), the United Technologies Corporation Supplier Gold Award (2017), and the Daher Best Supplier Award (2016). Headcount is approximately 51-100 employees, and the company is a subsidiary of AVIC International.

Name

Align Aerospace

Legal name

Align Aerospace LLC

Website

https://alignaero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Align Aerospace is a privately held, AVIC International-owned global distributor of aerospace hardware (fasteners, seals, bearings, proprietary parts) and integrated supply chain services (VMI, LTA, kitting, 3PL), serving Tier 1 aerospace OEMs and subcontractors including Boeing, Airbus, GE, and RTX.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Hardware Distribution and Supply Chain Services

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Fasteners & Hardware (IMABANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK), Aerospace & Defense (TLAIALAB)

Keywords

• Aerospace hardware distribution
• Aerospace fasteners supply
• Vendor managed inventory
• Kitting and 3PL services
• Long-term supply agreements

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatsworth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aerospace Hardware Distribution: Revenue is generated through the distribution of aerospace hardware components including fasteners, seals, bearings, and proprietary parts. Products are factory-new and fully traceable to original manufacturers. The company carries North American, European, and British aerospace fasteners to both standard and OEM specifications.
2. Supply Chain Services: Services including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Long-Term Agreements (LTA), Kitting Solutions, Bin/Kanban Management, Integrated Solutions (consignment, dedicated inventory, forecast management), Third-Party Logistics (3PL), and Spot Buy Support. These services are delivered alongside hardware distribution and include contractual arrangements and transactional spot purchases.
3. Aftermarket Services: Supports all major OEM platforms including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier with aftermarket distribution and logistics services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Align Aerospace distributes aerospace hardware (fasteners, seals, bearings, and customer-designed proprietary parts) and delivers integrated supply chain services including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Long-Term Agreements (LTA), kitting, bin management, third-party logistics (3PL), spot buy support, and aftermarket services. The company operates as an authorized distributor for the leading aerospace fastener manufacturers (HOWMET Aerospace, PCC, LISI Aerospace) and holds 100,000+ unique parts sourced from 2,500+ suppliers to serve aerospace OEMs and subcontractors across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Product overview

Align Aerospace is a global supply chain and distribution company offering a unified portfolio of aerospace hardware products and logistics services. The core product offerings include Fasteners (blind rivets, bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, lock bolts, inserts, metric fasteners), Seals (gaskets, O-rings, metal seals, packings), Bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings, hybrid bearings, needle bearings, thrust bearings), and Proprietary Parts for major OEM customers. These products are complemented by a comprehensive suite of supply chain services: Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Long-Term Agreements (LTA), Kitting Solutions, Bin Management, Integrated Solutions, Third Party Logistics (3PL), Spot Buy Support, and Aftermarket Services. The company operates as an authorized distributor for major aerospace fastener manufacturers including HOWMET Aerospace, Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC), and LISI Aerospace, with over 100,000+ unique parts in stock from over 2,500 suppliers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fasteners Aerospace fasteners for standard and OEM applications, including blind rivets, bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, lock bolts, inserts, and metric fasteners. Products are factory-new and fully traceable to original manufacturers, serving aerospace OEMs and subcontractors.
• Seals Aerospace seals including carbon-faced seals, gaskets, grommets, O-rings, metal seals, and packings for standard and OEM applications.
• Bearings Aerospace bearings including ball bearings, hybrid bearings, needle bearings, roller bearings, standard MS, NS, NAS, AS, AN bearings, and thrust bearings.
• Proprietary Parts Customer-designed proprietary parts (pieces à plan) supplied to major aerospace customers including GE, Pratt, Bell, Sikorsky, Honeywell, Triumph, Boeing, and Bombardier.
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Just-in-time material management program providing replenishment solutions that lower total cost of ownership, improve productivity, and scale to meet production demands. VMI supply chain solutions integrate with Forward Stocking Locations (FSL) and customer back-end IT systems, with customized invoicing mapped to manufacturing MRP systems.
• Long-Term Agreements (LTA) Fixed-price agreements providing forecasted parts requirements at contracted prices, leveraging aggregated demand over multiple customers to stabilize pricing. Economic order quantities ensure best prices; benefits include fixed pricing schedule, dedicated inventory per contract, and demand planning for LTA contract parts.
• Kitting Solutions Proven inventory control solution enabling management of multiple components under a Kit Master Part Number while maintaining full traceability. Kits include part numbers, lot numbers, and certifications linked directly to each kit.
• Bin Management Service allowing customers to focus on manufacturing, production, or repair activities while Align manages hardware parts inventory, providing cost efficiencies and optimized inventory.
• Integrated Solutions Comprehensive inventory management including centralized stocking facilities, consignment inventory, dedicated/reserve inventory, and forecast management using Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) tools.
• Third Party Logistics (3PL) Range of transportation, warehousing, cross-docking, inventory management, packaging, and freight forwarding services, serving as pass-through warehouse and shipping center for obscure parts.
• Spot Buy Support Sourcing service utilizing relationships with over 2,000 suppliers to locate parts not part of normal buying patterns, effective for unplanned spot requirements at competitive market prices.
• Aftermarket Services Support for all major OEM platforms including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and Bombardier with comprehensive aftermarket service capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports all major OEM platforms including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HOWMET AerospacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlign Aerospace is a fully franchised distributor for HOWMET Aerospace (formerly Alcoa Fastening Systems). This includes every franchised line for Alcoa Fastening Systems. Products are always factory-new and fully traceable to the original manufacturer.
• Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlign Aerospace is a fully franchised distributor for Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC). Products are always factory-new and fully traceable to the original manufacturer.
• LISI AerospacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlign Aerospace is a fully franchised distributor for LISI Aerospace. Eurofast was acquired from LISI Aerospace in 2007, giving the company a larger customer base in Europe. Products are always factory-new and fully traceable to the original manufacturer.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Satair: Satair is an Airbus-affiliated aerospace hardware and component distributor serving commercial and defense aftermarket customers globally. Directly comparable to Align as a franchised aerospace parts distributor with OEM-grade quality systems, kitting/VMI services, and global logistics capabilities — though Satair's parent alignment (Airbus) gives it a captive customer advantage Align lacks.
• AAR Corp: AAR Corp is a publicly traded aerospace aftermarket services and parts distribution company supplying commercial airlines, MROs, and OEMs. Comparable to Align in providing distribution, supply chain, kitting, and 3PL services into the aerospace aftermarket, though AAR also operates MRO facilities and is significantly larger and broader in scope.
• Pattonair (TransDigm Group): Pattonair is a UK-based aerospace hardware and consumables distributor, now part of TransDigm Group, serving major OEMs and MROs with fasteners, seals, bearings, and supply-chain services. Closely comparable to Align's product portfolio (aerospace fasteners, seals, bearings), service mix (VMI, kitting, 3PL), and tier-1 OEM customer base.
• Arrowhead Products: Arrowhead Products is an aerospace components manufacturer and distributor specializing in ducting, exhaust, and other hardware serving commercial and defense aerospace OEMs. Comparable to Align's bearing/seal/proprietary parts distribution into aerospace OEMs, particularly on tier-1 platforms where both supply consumable hardware.
• C&L Aerospace: C&L Aerospace is an aerospace parts distributor and service provider focused on regional aircraft (ATR, Embraer, Bombardier) and aerospace components. Comparable to Align's aerospace aftermarket distribution model, though smaller in scale and more regional-aircraft focused.

Broad incumbents

• Wesco International (formerly Anixter): Wesco acquired Anixter International (Align Aerospace's prior parent under Pentacon / Anixter Aerospace Hardware) and continues to operate in aerospace fastening and hardware distribution. Wesco is a much broader electrical and communications distributor with aerospace hardware as a niche vertical, providing indirect comparability on customer overlap and aerospace SKU breadth.
• HEICO Corporation: HEICO is a publicly traded aerospace and electronic components manufacturer and distributor serving commercial and defense aftermarket. Comparable as a public-market aerospace parts and aftermarket peer, though HEICO is predominantly a PMA/specialty parts manufacturer rather than a pure distributor of OEM fasteners and hardware.
• B/E Aerospace (Collins Aerospace): B/E Aerospace was acquired by Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace under RTX) and historically supplied aerospace hardware including interior and consumable components to major OEMs. Comparable to Align on aerospace hardware supply to OEMs and aft integration into OEM build cycles, though Collins operates at vastly greater scale across a broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alignaero

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Align Aerospace