Global Ground Support
Global Ground Support LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT), manufactures and supports ground support equipment for aviation — including aircraft deicers, glycol recovery and transfer vehicles, hi-lift trucks, and tow tractors — serving commercial airlines, military, FBOs, and airports across 43 countries from its Olathe, Kansas headquarters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersOlathe, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Global Ground Support does
Global Ground Support LLC, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Olathe, Kansas, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT) that designs, manufactures, and supports ground support equipment (GSE) for the aviation industry. Its core product portfolio centers on aircraft deicers — including the G-1200 regional, G-2200 commercial, and G-2875ER extended-reach models (the latter capable of servicing Airbus A-380, C-5, and C-17 aircraft) — plus military-grade GL-1800 and GL-2875 variants. Supporting equipment includes glycol recovery vehicles (GRV-800/GRV-2000), the newly launched GTV-5000 glycol transfer vehicle, Hi-Lift cabin service trucks, and flight line tow tractors. The company operates an ISO 9001:2015-certified facility, holds Buy America and MIL-STD-1366 transportability certifications, and has been the sole-source deicing equipment supplier to the U.S. Air Force since 1999.
The company generates revenue through five streams: (1) GSE equipment sales (multi-year custom-configured contracts), (2) maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services offered in three lifecycle tiers (G1: 4-8 years, G2: 8-12 years, G3: 12+ years), (3) OEM spare parts (with 70% same-day shipping), (4) training services via the GSE Academy, and (5) VR-based deicing simulator sales. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales through a Key Account Management (KAM) team with channel distribution via Sourcewell's 50,000+ government agency cooperative and the Paragon Aviation Group network of 110+ FBOs. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; major disclosed contracts include a $34M U.S. Air Force sole-source award (2021), a $10.8M DoD order (2025), and an $8.1M City of Charlotte contract (2022).
The company serves four primary segments: commercial aviation, military/defense, fixed-base operators, and government/municipal airports, with customers in 43 countries. Geographic operations are anchored in Olathe, Kansas, with field service presence in the U.S., Canada, and preferred maintenance providers in Europe. The supply chain is highly localized, with 65-70% of suppliers within a 60-mile radius of headquarters, supporting 100% on-time customer delivery for six consecutive years under current operations leadership.
Global Ground Support firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Ground Support
- Legal name
- Global Ground Support LLC
- Website
- https://globalgroundsupport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Global Ground Support LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT), manufactures and supports ground support equipment for aviation — including aircraft deicers, glycol recovery and transfer vehicles, hi-lift trucks, and tow tractors — serving commercial airlines, military, FBOs, and airports across 43 countries from its Olathe, Kansas headquarters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Ground Support industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Ground Support Equipment
- NAICS
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Airport Ground Support Vehicles (Tugs, Baggage Tractors, Deicers) (IMAHAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Airport Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Vehicle Manufacturing (IMACAFAK), Ground Support Equipment (GSE) MRO (Airport Tugs, Loaders, GPUs) (TLAKAHAG), Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), Ground Operations Decarbonization (electric GSE, renewable power, charging) (THABANAG), Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Maintenance & Repair (EDAOAFAL)
Keywords
Where Global Ground Support is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olathe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Global Ground Support business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- GSE Equipment Sales: Sale of ground support equipment including aircraft deicers (G-1200, G-2200, G-2875ER, GL-1800, GL-2875), Glycol Transfer Vehicles (GTV-5000), Glycol Recovery Vehicles (GRV-800, GRV-2000), Hi-Lift trucks, and Flight Line Tow Tractors. Major government contracts include $34M US Air Force contract, $10.8M DoD order, and $8.1M City of Charlotte contract.
- Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Services: Comprehensive lifecycle support including preventative maintenance, repairs, and overhauls. Services performed directly or supporting in-house teams with parts and technical advice. Three overhaul tiers: G3 Revive (12+ years extension), G2 Renew (8-12 years), G1 Refresh (4-8 years).
- Spare Parts Sales: Sale of OEM spare parts for all Global GSE products. Extensive parts catalog covering hydraulic systems, heaters, cylinders, pumps, monitors, and FEDS/basket components. 70% of orders ship same day.
- Training Services: GSE Academy training programs at headquarters or on-site. Factory training sessions and customized curriculum for operators and maintenance technicians.
- VR Simulator Sales: Sale and training access to VR Aircraft Deicing Simulators including Cab Stand Simulator and Portable Simulator options with software and hardware components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Equipment Pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sourcewell Government Contract Pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Global Ground Support product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Ground Support designs, manufactures, and supports aviation ground support equipment (GSE), including aircraft deicing trucks (commercial and military-grade), glycol recovery vehicles, glycol transfer vehicles, hi-lift cabin service trucks, and flight line tow tractors. The company also sells VR-based deicing simulators, spare parts, and provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and operator training through its GSE Academy.
Product overview
Global Ground Support is a comprehensive ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturer offering a portfolio of aviation ground support products and services. The core product line centers on aircraft deicing equipment including the G-1200 (regional), G-2200 (commercial standard/XR), and G-2875ER (extended reach for large aircraft like A-380 and military transports) deicer models. Military-grade variants include GL-1800 (Class A) and GL-2875 (Class B) deicers. Supporting equipment includes GRV glycol recovery vehicles (GRV-800, GRV-2000) for environmental sustainability, GTV-5000 glycol transfer vehicle for efficient fluid distribution, Hi-Lift catering/cabin service trucks in multiple configurations, and Flight Line Tow Tractors for aircraft pushback. The company extends its offering through VR-based aircraft deicing simulators for operator training, plus comprehensive lifecycle support including maintenance, repair, overhaul programs (G3/G2/G1 tiers), factory training academy, and spare parts distribution. All products are backed by ISO 9001:2015 quality certification and primarily served to commercial airlines, airports, FBOs, military installations, and ground handling organizations worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- G-2200 Ultimate Deicer Commercial aircraft deicing/anti-icing vehicle mounted on a commercially available truck chassis, available in standard and Extended Reach configurations. Features fuel-efficient single-engine design, Air Plus! forced air technology, and single operator controls. Sold to commercial airlines, airports, FBOs, and government/municipal customers.
- G-2875ER Extended Reach Deicer World's largest mobile deicing vehicle designed for large aircraft including Airbus A-380, Ilyushin, C-5, and C-17, providing longest side reach and a 78-foot cab/nozzle height. Sold to commercial airlines, airports, and military customers.
- G-1200 Regional Deicer Compact regional aircraft deicer built for smaller operations and FBO customers, designed for aircraft up to Boeing 737 Max 8 with simple, reliable performance and touch screen console controls.
- Hi-Lift (Catering/Cabin Service Trucks) Customizable aviation catering and cabin service trucks in Narrow Body, Wide Body, and Regional Jet configurations, with automatic platform collision prevention, reverse/360 cameras, refrigeration, and various door options.
- GRV (Glycol Recovery Vehicle)
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% of parts orders ship same day
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Ground Support
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Global Ground Support technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Global Ground Support partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SourcewellcoreGlobal Ground Support awarded Sourcewell national cooperative purchasing contract covering airside ground support equipment and related services. Provides Sourcewell's 50,000+ member agencies streamlined procurement access without lengthy RFP processes. One of only six GSE providers awarded this designation.
- Bangor International AirportminorBangor International Airport purchased Global ER-2875 Extended Reach Deicer designed for larger aircraft including Airbus A-380, Antonov An-225, C5 and C17 military airplanes.
- Paragon Aviation GroupcoreGlobal Ground Support joined the Paragon Network providing member FBOs enhanced access to specialized GSE equipment and expert fleet support solutions. Paragon operates 110+ FBO facilities worldwide under Luxaviation Group.
- City of Charlotteminor3-year contract awarded July 2022 in excess of $8.1M for UltimateONE 2200 Extended Reach aircraft deicing vehicles. First order $2.4M received October 2022 with expected completion mid-2023.
- United States Air ForcecoreSole-source deicing equipment supplier to U.S. Air Force since 1999. $34 million contract awarded October 2021 (two-year base with four one-year extension options) for standard and extended-reach deicer trucks including commissioning and training. $10.8M DoD order January 2025 for 18 deicing trucks.
- Lockheed MartinminorJason Grove, Senior Director of Technical Support and Engineering, previously held positions at Lockheed Martin during his career before joining Global Ground Support.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Global Ground Support competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goldhofer Airport Technology: Goldhofer's Airport Technology division produces aircraft tow tractors, pushback tractors, and ground support vehicles for commercial airports and military customers, directly competing with Global's flight line tow tractor product line.
- Vestergaard Company: Vestergaard Company is a Danish manufacturer specializing in electric aircraft deicing vehicles and GSE, directly competing with Global Ground Support's deicing line with a strong focus on battery-electric and sustainable airport ground operations technology.
- Mallaghan: Mallaghan is an Irish-based manufacturer of airport ground support equipment including deicers, catering trucks, stairs, and tow tractors, competing directly with Global Ground Support across commercial and military aviation markets.
- Charlatte (Alvest Group): Charlatte, also part of ALVEST Group, manufactures electric and combustion-powered airport ground support vehicles including baggage tractors and container carriers, operating in adjacent GSE categories to Global Ground Support.
- Tronair: Tronair manufactures aircraft tow tractors, jacks, ground support equipment, and maintenance tools for commercial, business, and military aviation customers — overlapping with Global's tow tractor and ground handling equipment offerings.
- Textron Ground Support Systems (TUG/Safeaero): Textron Aviation's Ground Support Systems business (formerly Terex Aviation GSE, the unit Global's predecessor was carved from) directly competes in deicing trucks, tow tractors, belt loaders, and other GSE used by airlines, FBOs, and military customers globally.
- JBT AeroTech: JBT AeroTech (now part of JBT Marel Corporation) is the global market leader in airport ground support equipment, directly competing with Global Ground Support in aircraft deicing, ground power, air conditioning, and cargo loading equipment for commercial aviation, military, and airport customers worldwide.
- Eagle Tugs (part of TLD Group): Eagle Tugs, now part of the TLD Group, manufactures heavy-duty military and commercial aircraft tow tractors and ground support equipment, directly competing with Global's Flight Line Tow Tractor product family.
- TLD (ALVEST Group): TLD (part of ALVEST Group) is a leading global manufacturer of airport ground support equipment including tractors, belt loaders, container carriers, and deicers, serving the same commercial aviation and ground handling customer base as Global Ground Support.
Regional players
- SAFRA: SAFRA is a French manufacturer of airport ground support equipment including deicers, tractors, and specialized vehicles, primarily serving European airports and ground handling operators with comparable products to Global Ground Support's portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Global Ground Support social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Ground Support compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Global Ground Support financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Ground Support leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Global Ground Support funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Ground Support M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Ground Support
What does Global Ground Support do?
Global Ground Support designs, manufactures, and supports aviation ground support equipment (GSE), including aircraft deicing trucks (commercial and military-grade), glycol recovery vehicles, glycol transfer vehicles, hi-lift cabin service trucks, and flight line tow tractors. The company also sells VR-based deicing simulators, spare parts, and provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and operator training through its GSE Academy.
Is Global Ground Support a public or private company?
Global Ground Support is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Ground Support founded?
Global Ground Support was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Global Ground Support based?
Global Ground Support is headquartered in Olathe, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Ground Support make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. GSE Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Services, spare Parts Sales, training Services and VR Simulator Sales.
Who are Global Ground Support's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goldhofer Airport Technology, Vestergaard Company, Mallaghan, Charlatte (Alvest Group), Tronair, Textron Ground Support Systems (TUG/Safeaero), JBT AeroTech, Eagle Tugs (part of TLD Group) and TLD (ALVEST Group). SAFRA is listed as a regional player.
Does Global Ground Support have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Ground Support.
What industry is Global Ground Support in?
Global Ground Support's product category is Aviation Ground Support Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAIAF, Airport Ground Support Vehicles (Tugs, Baggage Tractors, Deicers), with a secondary code of IMACAFAK, Airport Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Vehicle Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 33641 and its SIC code is 3728.