Charlatte America

What Charlatte America does

Charlatte America manufactures airport ground support equipment, with a focus on battery-powered electric ramp vehicles alongside selected internal-combustion models. Its customers are primarily airlines and ground handling operations, with additional use cases in industrial environments such as automotive, railway, and hospital operations. The portfolio includes baggage tractors, cargo tractors, flatbed tractors, ramp/tow tractors, beltloaders, lavatory and water trucks, and aircraft pushback tractors.

The company's products use AC and DC motor architectures, including motors directly coupled to Charlatte-designed rear axles, with features such as hydraulic accumulator power steering, regenerative braking on certain models, electronic control systems, and the SCOUT anti-collision system for beltloaders using radar, optical, and proximity sensors. Manufacturing and technical support are organized across facilities in Bluefield, Virginia; Brienon, France; and Crawley, United Kingdom, with the Bluefield site described as a 78,000-square-foot facility with complete manufacturing capabilities, Pro/E design software use, and an on-site test track.

Charlatte monetizes through quote-based direct hardware sales to enterprise buyers, aftermarket spare parts, service dispatch, and training. Its commercial model is supported by regional manufacturing and support operations, an online store for returning customers, worldwide service technician dispatch, and a stated ability to ship 98% of customer spare-parts needs within 24 hours. The company is privately held and operates as part of the Fayat Group.

Name

Charlatte America

Legal name

Charlatte America

Website

https://charlatteamerica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Charlatte America manufactures electric and internal-combustion ground support vehicles for airlines, ground handlers, and industrial users, selling tractors, beltloaders, lav/water trucks, pushbacks, spare parts, training, and service through direct quote-based channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Ground Support Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Vehicle Manufacturing (IMACAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Airport Ground Support Vehicles (Tugs, Baggage Tractors, Deicers) (IMAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Airport ground support
• Electric baggage tractors
• Battery powered vehicles
• Belt loaders
• Pushback tractors

Headquarters

HQ city

Billingshurst

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Sales: Sales of ground support equipment including baggage tractors, cargo tractors, flatbed tractors, ramp/tow tractors, beltloaders, lav trucks, and pushback tractors. Both electric and internal combustion powered options available.
2. Spare Parts & Aftermarket: Spare parts inventory maintained at each location with 98% of customer spare parts needs shipped within 24 hours
3. Service & Maintenance: Service technicians available for dispatch to customer locations worldwide, multilingual support, training packages available

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Charlatte America designs and manufactures battery-powered electric and internal combustion airport ground support vehicles, including baggage tractors, cargo tractors, flatbed tractors, ramp/tow tractors, belt loaders, lavatory servicing trucks, water servicing trucks, and aircraft pushback tractors. The company also sells spare parts and provides field service, training, and maintenance support to commercial airlines and ground handling operators across North America, Europe, the UK, and Ireland.

Product overview

Charlatte America is a manufacturer of battery-powered electric and internal combustion ground support equipment for airport ramp operations. The product portfolio consists of seven core product lines: Baggage Tractors (T137-V3, T137 PRO), Cargo Tractors (CT5E, CT5G, CT6E), Flatbed Tractors (PE80, CFB2000), Ramp/Tow Tractors (TE.208, TE 206), Beltloaders (CBL2000E, CBL150E), Lav Trucks (CLT200E, CWT300E), and Pushbacks (CPB35E). Products utilize AC or DC motor technology directly coupled to Charlatte-designed rear axles. The company also offers the SCOUT anti-collision system as a safety add-on for beltloaders. All products are designed for the demanding airport ramp environment and are manufactured at facilities in Bluefield, Virginia (US), Brienon France, and Crawley, UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• T137-V3 Electric Baggage Tractor Electric baggage tractor for commercial airline ramp operations, with 18 mph top speed and 4,000–4,500 lbs drawbar pull, AC motor directly coupled to rear axle, and hydraulic accumulator power steering. Targeted at airlines and ground handlers moving baggage on airport ramps.
• T137 PRO Electric Baggage Tractor Newest T137-design electric baggage tractor with redesigned electronics PCBs, all-steel dash, and redesigned suspension for improved reliability, performance, and ease of maintenance. Targeted at airline ramp operations.
• CT5E Electric Baggage/Cargo Tractor Battery-powered electric cargo tractor with rear seating configuration, 30 hp hi-torque AC motor, 5,000 lbs drawbar capacity, and 125-inch turning radius, designed to move cargo and baggage on airport ramps.
• CT5G Gasoline Baggage/Cargo Tractor Gasoline-powered cargo tractor with 16 mph top speed and 5,000 lbs drawbar pull, available with Ford or Kubota gasoline engines for ramp customers needing internal combustion range and refueling speed.
• CT6E Electric Cargo Tractor Self-propelled battery-powered cargo tractor designed to tow 30+ tons for cargo operations, with 50 hp hi-torque AC motor, 6,000 lbs maximum drawbar capacity, and designed for lithium batteries up to 840 Ah.
• PE80 Electric Flatbed Tractor Compact electric flatbed tractor with 1,800 lbs platform capacity, 10 hp AC motor, 8-ton towing capability, 25-mile range, 48V electronics, 15 mph top speed, and configurable rear bed options for in-ramp baggage and cargo movement.
• CFB2000 Electric Inter-Line Baggage Tractor Electric baggage tractor with a 2-ton rear platform for interline and last-minute baggage transfers, 40 HP AC motor, 17,600 lbs towing capability, and 147-inch turning radius.
• TE.208 Electric Tow Tractor Battery-powered four-wheel towing vehicle used in airline, automotive, railway, and hospital sectors, with 9 mph top speed, 1,100 lbs drawbar pull, hydraulic braking with regenerative braking, and 96-inch complete turn radius; over 1,000 units operating in the field today.
• TE 206 Electric Tow Tractor Battery-powered electric three-wheel towing vehicle for airports, automotive, railway, and hospital use, with 9 mph top speed, 1,000 lbs drawbar pull, and motor directly coupled to rear axle.
• CBL2000E Electric Full Size Beltloader First AC-powered full-size beltloader designed for severe airline ramp demands. Services aircraft with door sill heights from 30 to 172 inches, features creep mode for regulated approach speed and electric belt drive.
• CBL150E Electric Intermediate Beltloader Intermediate beltloader for regional and narrowbody operations, servicing aircraft with door sill heights from 36 to 130 inches. Features front brakes, rear leafspring suspension, and all-electric conveyor drive.
• CLT200E Electric Lav Truck 80V battery-powered electric lavatory servicing vehicle with 200-gallon waste tank, 100-gallon water tank, 40 hp AC motor, and 19 mph maximum speed for airline lavatory servicing on airport ramps.
• CWT300E Electric Water Truck 80V battery-powered electric water servicing vehicle with 200-gallon and 100-gallon water tanks, 40 hp AC motor, and 19 mph maximum speed for potable water servicing of aircraft.
• CPB35E Electric Pushback Tractor Completely American-made 80V AC electric pushback tractor with two 35 hp AC motors, four-wheel drive, suitable for 737 to 757 aircraft pushout operations. Features 24,000 lbs drawbar capacity and 7 mph maximum speed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ T137 baggage tractors operating in the field
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Textron GSE (TUG / Textron Ground Support Equipment):
• JBT AeroTech (JBT Corporation): JBT AeroTech is a leading global supplier of airport ground support equipment including baggage tractors, cargo loaders, deicers, and passenger boarding bridges. Directly comparable to Charlatte in product categories (baggage tractors, beltloaders, pushbacks) but operates as part of the larger JBT Corporation with broader food tech exposure.

Regional players

• Goldhofer Airport Technology: Goldhofer manufactures heavy-duty aircraft tow tractors (e.g., AST-2) and other specialized ground support equipment. Comparable in GSE space with strong presence in Europe and emerging market airports; competes with Charlatte in tow tractor and pushback segments.
• Mallaghan: Mallaghan is an Irish manufacturer of airport ground support equipment including belt loaders, passenger stairs, and catering trucks. Comparable in GSE product space, with strong European presence, though a more limited product portfolio than Charlatte.

Emerging players

• Tronair: Tronair produces aircraft ground support equipment including tow bars, jacks, and ground power equipment. Comparable in airport GSE space but focuses on accessories and tooling rather than primary vehicles like Charlatte's baggage tractors.
• LEKTRO: LEKTRO manufactures electric utility tow tractors for industrial and airport applications. Comparable in electric tow tractor design and target market, though typically focused on smaller utility tractors versus Charlatte's full ramp GSE lineup.

Direct peers

• AERO Specialties: AERO Specialties manufactures and distributes aircraft ground support equipment including tow bars, tow tractors, and ground power units. Comparable in serving the airport GSE market, though with a smaller direct-manufacturing focus than Charlatte.
• Vestergaard Company: Vestergaard manufactures electric and diesel aircraft tow tractors, belt loaders, and ground support equipment. Direct competitor to Charlatte in the electric GSE niche with comparable focus on airline ramp equipment.
• Eagle Tugs (a division of B/E Aerospace / Rockwell Collins): Eagle Tugs manufactures electric and diesel aircraft pushback tractors and tow tractors used at airports worldwide. Direct competitor to Charlatte's pushback and tow tractor product lines.
• TLD Group (TLD Asia / TLD Europe): TLD is one of the world's largest manufacturers of airport ground support equipment, producing electric and diesel baggage/cargo tractors, belt loaders, pushbacks, and aircraft tow tractors. Head-to-head competitor to Charlatte in the airport GSE market globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Charlatte America