Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions

What Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions does

Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions (DABS) is a privately held, vertically integrated precision manufacturer founded in 1995 and headquartered in Auburn, Washington. Operating from a single 11,500 sq. ft. facility, DABS produces hard-metal, close-tolerance machined components and sub-assemblies for the aerospace, defense, space, and commercial industrial sectors. Core capabilities span precision CNC machining (3, 4, and 5-axis mill-turns, horizontal and vertical milling, manual mills and lathes), orbital swaging, Sunnen honing, bearing swaging and staking, bushing installation, custom tooling, fabrication, finishing, assembly and kitting, drop-shipping, and engineering services including design-for-manufacturing and FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) reverse engineering. The company holds AS9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, ITAR registration, and JCP registration, and counts Boeing, Airbus, Safran, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky, and Bell Helicopter among its named customers, with a claimed base of more than 100 customers globally and 3,000+ unique components manufactured.

DABS operates a project-based, quote-driven B2B sales model targeting tier-1 and tier-2 aerospace and defense OEMs as well as commercial industrial buyers in marine, oil and gas, mining, and automotive. Revenue is generated through one-time manufacturing contracts and managed-services-style assembly and supply chain engagements rather than subscriptions; pricing is determined per part via the company's website quote-request workflow with stated 24-hour response. Distribution is direct, with the Materials Division supplying raw materials and the Manufacturing Division handling machining, assembly, finishing, inspection (CMM), and kitting under a single "raw materials to finished product" program-management umbrella. No revenue, headcount, or funding figures are disclosed; the company is privately held under DABS M&A, LLC (Washington LLC, CAGE Code 7TW13, DUNS 080593560), with ownership retained by private stakeholders and no institutional investors identified in the input. The legal entity traces to a 2016 restructuring in which DABS M&A LLC acquired DABS M&A Inc., consolidating the assembly and machining operations.

Name

Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions

Legal name

DABS M&A, LLC

Website

https://dabsmfg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DABS is a privately held, AS9100-certified precision manufacturer in Auburn, WA, producing hard-metal machined components, bearing and bushing assemblies, and FAA PMA parts for aerospace, defense, space, and commercial industrial customers including Boeing, Airbus, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Auburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Manufacturing Services: Turn-key manufacturing and assembly services for aerospace, defense, and commercial hard-metal precision components including PMA parts, engine bolts, tubes, rod ends, clevises, custom tools, latches, locknuts, and bearing assemblies. Revenue generated through project-based manufacturing contracts with complete program management from raw materials to finished product.
2. Assembly and Integration Services: Systems integration, drop-shipping, inspection, testing, and assembly services. Centralizes manufacturing, logistics and parts integration for customers requiring bearing swaging, bushing installation, structural assemblies, sealant applications, riveting, honing, reaming, drilling, and testing.
3. Custom Tooling and Fixtures: Manufacturing of complex aerospace tooling components and fixtures for military and commercial aircraft, including drill plates, fixtures, location jigs, templates, and machining and processing fixtures.
4. Supply Chain Management: Provides raw materials, supply chain management, kitting, and inventory management services as part of turn-key manufacturing solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DABS is a vertically integrated manufacturer of hard-metal, close-tolerance precision components for aerospace, defense, space, marine, oil and gas, and other commercial industries. The company provides turn-key manufacturing — from raw materials and supply chain management through CNC machining, fabrication, finishing, assembly, kitting, inspection, and drop-shipping — delivered through six core capability areas: Manufacturing, Bearing Swaging, Bushing Installation, Assembly and Integration, Custom Tooling, and Engineering. The offering targets tier-1 and tier-2 OEMs requiring AS9100/ISO9001 certified, ITAR-compliant production with FAA PMA capability.

Product overview

Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions (DABS) is a vertically integrated manufacturing company offering a comprehensive portfolio of precision manufacturing and assembly services. The core offering consists of six main capability areas: Manufacturing (CNC machining of tubes, rod ends, clevises, latches, locking nuts, bolts, and PMA parts), Bearing Swaging, Bushing Installation, Assembly and Integration, Custom Tooling, and Engineering. These capabilities are designed to work together as a turn-key manufacturing solution, taking raw materials from initial design through finished assembled products for aerospace, defense, and commercial industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manufacturing (CNC Machining) Complete CNC machining of hard metal close tolerance parts for aerospace, defense, space, marine, oil and gas, and other commercial industries. Provides turn-key manufacturing from raw materials to finished assembled products using 3-, 4-, and 5-axis mill turns, horizontal and vertical mills, manual mills and lathes, orbital swaging, and Sunnen honing.
• Bearing Swaging Critical swaging services for aerospace and commercial manufacturers including bearing swaging, roller swaging, anvil swaging, bearing staking, ball staking, chisel staking, V-groove staking, and retention and proof-load testing. Uses proprietary techniques and innovative automation to deliver consistent quality parts.
• Bushing Installation Precision bushing installation, reaming, and honing to the tightest tolerances. Includes specialty honing and reaming processes for ultimate precision, as well as bushing and bearing removal services and reinstalls for complex large and small jobs.
• Assembly and Integration Assembly and systems integration services including drop-shipping, inspection, testing, and assembly of bearing swaging, bushing installation, structural assemblies, sealant applications, riveting, honing, reaming, drilling, and testing. DABS has assembled more than 3,000 unique components.
• Custom Tooling Manufacturing of complex aerospace tooling components and fixtures for military and commercial aircraft including drill plates, fixtures, location jigs, templates, and machining and processing fixtures. Includes custom automation of machines and tooling for manufacturing efficiencies.
• Engineering Design for manufacturing support and research and development collaboration including design engineering, reverse engineering for PMA parts, FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval compliance, and M&A consulting and six sigma supply chain logistics.
• Tubes Precision long and short tubes, thick wall or thin wall, manufactured from aluminum, steel, titanium, and specialty alloys for aerospace, defense, space, automotive, marine, mining, oil and gas applications including flight control tubes.
• Rod Ends High-precision thread rolled and non-rolled rod ends for aerospace, defense, space, automotive, marine, mining, oil and gas industries. Precision articulation joints for critical industrial systems.
• Clevises Custom precision clevises for connecting cylinders, trailers, and structural members, including forged clevises, turnbuckles, clevis pins, coupling nuts, and sleeve nuts.
• Latches Complex custom industrial latching systems including cane bolt, magnetic, quarter turn, slam, trigger, twist, multi-point, and toggle latches for various industrial applications.
• Locking Nuts Custom metal lock nuts manufactured to precise customer specifications for aerospace, space vehicles, heavy truck, construction equipment, farm machinery, mining, and hydraulic cylinder applications.
• Bolts Custom designed bolts, including engine bolts, manufactured by engineers and machinists using cold forged steel shapes with milling and turning, heat treating, and surface treatment for aircraft engines, commercial vehicles, and construction equipment.
• PMA Parts (FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval) FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval parts designed and manufactured to customer specifications in accordance with FAA airworthiness standards. Includes reverse engineering and FAA approval support for out-of-production or replacement parts (aircraft, engine, or propeller components).

Quantifiable outcome

• 3000+ unique components manufactured
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Professional Numismatists Network (PNAA)minorOthersDABS maintains affiliation with Professional Numismatists Network, an industry association for precious metals and collectibles. This appears to be an industry membership rather than a strategic business partnership.
• Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA)minorOthersDABS affiliated with Aviation Suppliers Association, an industry trade organization supporting aerospace parts suppliers. This is an industry membership providing networking and standards alignment.
• ThomasnetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDABS maintains a profile on Thomasnet, a B2B industrial sourcing platform. This provides visibility to potential customers searching for aerospace and defense manufacturing suppliers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ducommun Incorporated: U.S.-based aerospace structures and precision components manufacturer supplying Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and other primes. Directly comparable as a tier-1/2 supplier of hard-metal aerospace assemblies with similar customer overlap.
• Whitcraft Group: Mid-sized U.S. precision aerospace manufacturer specializing in complex machined components and assemblies for commercial and military aircraft engines and structures. Closely comparable scale and product mix to DABS.
• Aero-Space Southwest: U.S.-based precision machining and assembly supplier to aerospace and defense primes. Comparable tier-2/3 supplier serving similar hard-metal component needs for major OEMs.

Broad incumbents

• Precision Castparts Corp: Large diversified aerospace components manufacturer (owned by Berkshire Hathaway) producing precision cast and machined parts for engines, airframes, and industrial markets. Overlaps with DABS in machined aerospace components but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Triumph Group: Major aerospace structures and systems supplier with broad capabilities in precision machined components, assemblies, and MRO. Competes for similar tier-2/3 supplier slots across Boeing and defense primes.
• Howmet Aerospace: Global leader in aerospace engine components, fasteners, and titanium/aluminum structural parts. Overlaps with DABS in hard-metal aerospace components, particularly engine-related hardware such as bolts and tubes.
• Magellan Aerospace: Canadian aerospace manufacturer supplying precision machined components, assemblies, and engine programs to Airbus, Boeing, and defense primes globally. Comparable vertical integration from raw materials through assemblies.
• Senior plc: U.K.-headquartered aerospace and defense components manufacturer specializing in high-precision fluid conveyance, structures, and assemblies. Comparable precision manufacturing profile serving commercial and military aerospace.
• Kaman Aerospace: U.S. aerospace manufacturer producing proprietary aircraft, precision bearings, and engineered components for defense and commercial markets. Overlaps with DABS in precision bearings and assemblies.

Emerging players

• Protolabs: Digital on-demand manufacturing services provider offering CNC machining, 3D printing, and injection molding. Not a direct aerospace tier-2 supplier but competes for low-volume precision machined parts work that DABS could otherwise capture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dabsmfg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/defense-and-aerospace-business-solutions

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Defense and Aerospace Business Solutions