Dowty Group
Dowty, a GE Aerospace subsidiary headquartered in Gloucester UK, designs and manufactures integrated composite propeller systems and provides MRO and sustainment services for large regional turboprop aircraft, military transporters (notably the C-130J Super Hercules), and hovercraft, serving commercial airlines and defense operators globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersBrockworth, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dowty Group does
Dowty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE), is a UK-headquartered specialist manufacturer of integrated composite propeller systems for large regional turboprop aircraft, military transporters and hovercraft. The company's portfolio comprises three product lines: Commercial Propeller Systems (notably the R408 propeller system fitted to the De Havilland Dash 8-400), Defence Propeller Systems (supplying the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules among other military platforms), and Propeller Services spanning maintenance, materials, asset management and initial provisioning. Underlying technology emphasizes integrated composite propeller design with advanced liquid resin moulding processes (RTM and Resin Infusion) developed in collaboration with GKN Aerospace, Safran Nacelles and Composite Integration, achieving aerospace-grade fibre volume fractions approaching 60%.
Dowty earns revenue through direct sale of propeller systems to OEMs (such as De Havilland Canada and Lockheed Martin) and through long-tail MRO, spare parts and sustainment services to operators, including follow-on defense sustainment packages under US Foreign Military Sales. Sales channels include a global field service representative network offering repair and overhaul, a dedicated e-commerce spares portal (sales.dowty.com) for the R408, and a 24/7 Aircraft-on-Ground emergency hotline. Customers span commercial regional airlines, defense operators such as the Kuwait Air Force (KC-130J sustainment), and other international military users; Kees the company holds multiple civil and military aviation certifications (CAA Part 21J/21G/145, EASA Part 145, FAA Part 145 in both the UK and US, EN9100, ISO9001, AS9100D and AS9110C).
Operations are anchored at the Brockworth, Gloucester headquarters (4100 Hurricane Road, Gloucester Business Park, GL3 4AQ, UK), with additional facilities in Sterling, USA, Brisbane, Australia, and a global field service presence serving Europe, North America, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa. The 251-500 employee business operates under a leadership team including CEO Henry Johnston, CFO Garima Basu, Global Supply Chain Leader Gaizka Bilbao, Global Engineering Leader Jonathan Chestney and Global Sales & Marketing Leader Joe Tink. As a subsidiary, Dowty benefits from GE Aerospace's corporate, financial and engineering resources while retaining its own operational identity and branded presence.
Dowty Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dowty Group
- Legal name
- Dowty
- Website
- https://dowty.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Dowty, a GE Aerospace subsidiary headquartered in Gloucester UK, designs and manufactures integrated composite propeller systems and provides MRO and sustainment services for large regional turboprop aircraft, military transporters (notably the C-130J Super Hercules), and hovercraft, serving commercial airlines and defense operators globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dowty Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Propeller Systems
- NAICS
- Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Propellers, Rotors & Open-Rotor Propulsors (IMABADAI)
Keywords
Where Dowty Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brockworth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Dowty Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Defense Sustainment and Support Services: Follow-on sustainment support for military aircraft including maintenance spare parts technical publications software support logistics training and engineering services
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Dowty Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dowty designs, manufactures, and supports integrated composite propeller systems for large regional turboprop aircraft, military transporters (including the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules), and hovercraft. The offering spans three product lines — Commercial Propeller Systems, Defence Propeller Systems, and Propeller Services (maintenance, materials, asset management, initial provisioning) — plus the R408 propeller system dedicated to the De Havilland Dash 8-400 regional airliner.
Product overview
Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, is a world-leading provider of integrated composite propeller systems, services, and support. The portfolio consists of three core product lines: Commercial Propeller Systems for regional turboprop aircraft, Defence Propeller Systems for military transporters (including the C-130J Super Hercules), and Propeller Services offering maintenance, asset management, and initial provisioning. The company also provides the R408 propeller system specifically for the Dash 8-400 regional airliner through a dedicated spares portal. Operations are headquartered in Gloucester, UK, with additional facilities in Sterling, USA and Brisbane, Australia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Commercial Propeller Systems Integrated composite propeller systems for large regional turboprop aircraft, providing quality, reliability, and durability for commercial aircraft transporting passengers and cargo worldwide. Targets commercial airlines operating regional turboprops.
- Defence Propeller Systems Integrated composite propeller systems for military transporters, supporting aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, designed to operate in the world's toughest and harshest environments for over 80 years. Targets air forces and defense operators.
- Propeller Services Tailored service packages including maintenance, materials, asset management, and initial provisioning to keep fleets flying, supported by a global team of field service representatives offering repair and overhaul services. Targets commercial airlines and military operators.
- R408 Propeller System The R408 propeller system utilised on the De Havilland Aircraft Dash 8-400 regional airliner, supplied with a dedicated spares portal (sales.dowty.com) for efficient ordering and delivery tracking of propeller spares. Targets Dash 8-400 operators and maintenance organisations.
Companies that use Dowty Group
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dowty Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Dowty Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- V2XcoreMajor contractor identified for the $235.9 million foreign military sale to Kuwait for follow-on sustainment support of the Kuwaiti Air Force KC-130J transport aircraft fleet delivering training maintenance and support services
- Rolls-RoycecoreMajor contractor for the Kuwait KC-130J sustainment package providing engine-related support as part of the defense industry contractors delivering training maintenance and support services under the agreement
- CAE USAcoreMajor contractor identified for the $235.9 million foreign military sale to Kuwait for follow-on sustainment support of the Kuwaiti Air Force KC-130J transport aircraft fleet
- Aviation Training ConsultingcoreDefense industry contractor providing training and support services as part of the Kuwait KC-130J aircraft fleet sustainment agreement with the US State Department
- GKN AerospaceminorCollaboration on liquid resin moulding processes where RTM and Resin Infusion technologies developed through collaborations with GKN Aerospace achieve aerospace-grade quality with fibre volume fractions approaching 60%
- Safran NacellesminorCollaboration on liquid resin moulding processes where RTM and Resin Infusion technologies developed through collaborations with Safran Nacelles achieve aerospace-grade quality for aerospace structures
- Composite IntegrationminorCollaboration with Composite Integration on liquid resin moulding processes advocating RTM and Resin Infusion technologies as scalable sustainable alternative to traditional autoclaved prepreg in aerospace manufacturing
- GE AerospaceflagshipDowty is a GE Aerospace company and world-leading provider of integrated composite propeller systems services and support for large regional turboprop military transporters and hovercraft
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dowty Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MT-Propeller: German propeller manufacturer with strong retrofit and STC business across turboprop platforms. Overlaps with Dowty's propeller services and regional turboprop aftermarket activities.
- Collins Aerospace: A major propeller system manufacturer (formerly Hamilton Standard) supplying commercial and military propeller systems including for regional and military transports. Most directly comparable to Dowty given its broad commercial/military propeller portfolio and MRO services.
- Hartzell Propeller: US-based propeller OEM and MRO provider serving general aviation, regional and military markets. Comparable to Dowty as a propeller-only specialist offering both OEM systems and aftermarket services.
- McCauley Propeller Systems (Textron Aviation): Propeller systems business within Textron Aviation supplying Cessna and other general aviation turboprops. Competes with Dowty in OEM propeller systems and the broader propeller MRO market.
- Safran Nacelles / Ratier-Figeac: Safran subsidiary Ratier-Figeac is a leading propeller manufacturer for regional turboprops (notably ATR), with composite propeller capability comparable to Dowty. Strong direct competitor on commercial regional platforms.
Emerging players
- GKN Aerospace: Major tier-1 composite aerostructures supplier that collaborates with Dowty on RTM/Resin Infusion processes. Overlaps with Dowty in advanced composite aerospace manufacturing techniques.
Broad incumbents
- GE Aerospace: Parent company of Dowty and a major aircraft engine OEM (CFM56, LEAP, GE9X, GEnx). Relevant incumbent because Dowty's propeller systems integrate with GE engine platforms and Dowty sits within GE's broader aerospace portfolio.
- Rolls-Royce: A major aircraft engine OEM and defense sustainment contractor. Co-partner with Dowty on the Kuwait KC-130J FMS sustainment package, providing engine-related support; broader comparison as an integrated propulsion and services provider.
- Safran: French aerospace group with propulsion, equipment and defense businesses that owns Ratier-Figeac propellers and Safran Nacelles (a Dowty collaboration partner). Adjacent incumbent operating across overlapping propeller and composite nacelle domains.
Others
- De Havilland Canada: OEM of the Dash 8-400 regional turboprop, the platform on which Dowty's R408 propeller system is the standard fit. Customer and ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, but critical to the commercial propeller business.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dowty Group social profiles
Digital presenceDowty Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dowty Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Dowty Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dowty Group 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 Dowty Group
What does Dowty Group do?
Dowty designs, manufactures, and supports integrated composite propeller systems for large regional turboprop aircraft, military transporters (including the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules), and hovercraft. The offering spans three product lines — Commercial Propeller Systems, Defence Propeller Systems, and Propeller Services (maintenance, materials, asset management, initial provisioning) — plus the R408 propeller system dedicated to the De Havilland Dash 8-400 regional airliner.
Is Dowty Group a public or private company?
Dowty Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Dowty Group founded?
Dowty Group was founded in 1937. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Dowty Group based?
Dowty Group is headquartered in Brockworth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Dowty Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: defense Sustainment and Support Services.
Who are Dowty Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MT-Propeller, Collins Aerospace, Hartzell Propeller, McCauley Propeller Systems (Textron Aviation) and Safran Nacelles / Ratier-Figeac. GKN Aerospace is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Safran. De Havilland Canada is listed as an others.
Does Dowty Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dowty Group.
What industry is Dowty Group in?
Dowty Group's product category is Aerospace Propeller Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABADAI, Propellers, Rotors & Open-Rotor Propulsors. Its NAICS code is 336412 and its SIC code is 3724.