Wag-Aero
Wag-Aero manufactured and distributed FAA and PMA parts for general aviation and vintage aircraft, serving aircraft owners, homebuilders, and maintenance operators across the United States. Its parts distribution division was acquired by Aircraft Spruce in May 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersLyons, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Wag-Aero does
Wag-Aero manufactured and distributed FAA and PMA parts for general aviation and vintage aircraft from its facility on North Road in Lyons, Wisconsin. Founded in the 1960s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the basement of their family home, the company published its first aircraft parts catalog in 1965 and moved to its permanent Lyons facility in 1971. The business served individual aircraft owners, homebuilders, fixed-base operators, and aviation maintenance facilities across the United States, providing access to legacy and hard-to-find components for general aviation aircraft. In 1995, the Wagners sold Wag-Aero to Bill Read and Mary Myers, who expanded the parts distribution and manufacturing operations over the subsequent three decades. In May 2024, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. — a peer general aviation parts distributor founded contemporaneously in Fullerton, CA — acquired only the parts distribution division of Wag-Aero; the manufacturing operations remained with Read and Myers.
Wag-Aero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wag-Aero
- Legal name
- Wag-Aero
- Website
- https://wagaero.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wag-Aero manufactured and distributed FAA and PMA parts for general aviation and vintage aircraft, serving aircraft owners, homebuilders, and maintenance operators across the United States. Its parts distribution division was acquired by Aircraft Spruce in May 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wag-Aero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Parts Distribution
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Wag-Aero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lyons
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wag-Aero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Parts Distribution: Distribution of aircraft parts, components, and related supplies to aircraft owners, homebuilders, and aviation maintenance operators. Revenue generated through parts sales, both catalog-based and direct ordering.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Wag-Aero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wag-Aero manufactures and distributes FAA and PMA aircraft parts, components, and related supplies for general aviation and vintage aircraft, including homebuilt aircraft construction and maintenance. The company has operated a print catalog-based parts distribution business since 1965 and also performs manufacturing operations for specialized aviation components. In May 2024, Aircraft Spruce acquired Wag-Aero's parts distribution division.
Product overview
Wag-Aero is an aircraft parts distribution and manufacturing company specializing in parts for homebuilt aircraft. The company, founded in the 1960s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in Lyons, Wisconsin, publishes aircraft parts catalogs and operates distribution and manufacturing facilities. Aircraft Spruce acquired the parts distribution division in May 2024, while the manufacturing operations remain with the original owners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wag-Aero Aircraft Parts Distribution Catalog-based distribution of FAA and PMA aircraft parts and components for general aviation, vintage, and homebuilt aircraft. Targeted at aircraft owners, homebuilders, and maintenance operators across the United States.
Companies that use Wag-Aero
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Wag-Aero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Wag-Aero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.majorAircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. acquired the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero in May 2024. The acquisition was announced publicly by Aircraft Spruce President Jim Irwin, noting the shared history between both companies - both were founded in the 1960s in family basements, published their first catalogs in 1965, and maintained complementary operations in the aviation parts industry. Aircraft Spruce acquired only the Wag-Aero parts distribution division, with Wag-Aero's manufacturing operations remaining with the previous owners.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Wag-Aero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Sonex Aircraft: Sub-scale kit aircraft and component manufacturer serving the EAA homebuilder market. Overlaps with Wag-Aero on components, engine accessories, and airframe parts sold into experimental aircraft owners.
- RANS Aircraft: Kit aircraft maker (S-series, Airaile) sold to the experimental/homebuilder market. Competes with Wag-Aero for the same EAA homebuilder customer wallet share on parts and components.
- Zenith Aircraft Company: Light sport and experimental kit aircraft manufacturer (STOL CH 750, Cruzer). Sells kits and components direct to homebuilders - overlapping with Wag-Aero's PMA parts and GA components business.
- Van’s Aircraft: Premier kit aircraft manufacturer (RV series), serving the same EAA homebuilder community that anchors Wag-Aero's customer base. Van's also sells parts/kits direct, partially overlapping with Wag-Aero's distribution catalog.
Direct peers
- Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. Largest independent general aviation parts distributor in the U.S. with nine warehouse locations; directly comparable to Wag-Aero and acquired its parts distribution division in May 2024. Operates the same catalog-based distribution model for GA/homebuilder parts.
Others
- Dynon Avionics: Independent avionics supplier deeply embedded in the EAA homebuilder market (SkyView, EFIS-D10A). While not a parts distributor, Dynon sells complementary components into Wag-Aero's primary customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Piper Aircraft: Long-standing general aviation OEM (Cherokee, Saratoga, M-class). Aftermarket Piper parts availability is frequently a pain point addressed by Wag-Aero and Aircraft Spruce, making Piper a structurally adjacent peer in the GA parts supply chain.
- Cirrus Aircraft: High-volume general aviation piston aircraft OEM (SR20/SR22) with a large active installed base that drives aftermarket parts demand from Wag-Aero and its GA distribution peers.
- Textron Aviation (Cessna): Largest general aviation OEM operator (Cessna, Beechcraft). Aftermarket Cessna parts support is core to GA parts distributors like Wag-Aero; Cessna's installed fleet underpins recurring parts demand.
- Daher (TBM / Kodiak): French general aviation group producing TBM high-speed singles and Kodiak utility turboprops. Competes in the broader GA market and intersects with Wag-Aero's adjacent type parts and accessories business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wag-Aero social profiles
Digital presenceWag-Aero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wag-Aero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Wag-Aero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wag-Aero 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 Wag-Aero
What does Wag-Aero do?
Wag-Aero manufactures and distributes FAA and PMA aircraft parts, components, and related supplies for general aviation and vintage aircraft, including homebuilt aircraft construction and maintenance. The company has operated a print catalog-based parts distribution business since 1965 and also performs manufacturing operations for specialized aviation components. In May 2024, Aircraft Spruce acquired Wag-Aero's parts distribution division.
When was Wag-Aero founded?
Wag-Aero was founded in 1960. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wag-Aero based?
Wag-Aero is headquartered in Lyons, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wag-Aero make money?
One revenue line is on record: aircraft Parts Distribution.
Who are Wag-Aero's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Sonex Aircraft, RANS Aircraft, Zenith Aircraft Company and Van’s Aircraft. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. is listed as a direct peer. Dynon Avionics is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Piper Aircraft, Cirrus Aircraft, Textron Aviation (Cessna) and Daher (TBM / Kodiak).
Does Wag-Aero have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wag-Aero.
What industry is Wag-Aero in?
Wag-Aero's product category is Aviation Parts Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAC, Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABAAAJ, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3720.