Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems designs and manufactures aircraft wheel assemblies, brake assemblies, hydraulic components, and conversion/repair kits for general aviation, business jet, rotorcraft, turboprop, military, and OEMs. Operating as a brand under Signia Aerospace, it distributes globally through authorized distributors and the Boeing marketplace.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1939
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems does
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems (CWBS) designs and manufactures aircraft wheel assemblies, brake assemblies (internal and external caliper configurations, rotor brakes), hydraulic components (master cylinders, parking brake valves, shimmy dampers, actuators), and conversion/repair kits for general aviation, turboprop, business jet, rotorcraft, and military aircraft. Its proprietary Obsidian Brake Discs sub-brand represents engineered brake discs marketed for extended service life. The company also publishes FAA-style technical documentation including a Technician's Service Guide and Component Maintenance Manual, and supports an Obsidian-branded product line. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Avon, Ohio, CWBS operates with approximately 46 employees as a brand under the Signia Aerospace conglomerate, which also owns Hartzell Aviation, ACE Thermal Systems, Onboard Systems, and other aerospace brands.
CWBS distributes through a global authorized distributor network with strict qualification standards, complemented by the Boeing online marketplace and regional distributors (Air Parts in the UK, CJ Aerospace in Australia, S Cross). It serves a mix of OEMs (airplane and landing gear manufacturers), enterprise operators (business jet, rotorcraft, military), and SMB customers (mechanics, pilots, general aviation). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a B2B sales model and revenue derived from aircraft component hardware sales. The company invests in educational content (Pro Tips Resources, Flight Deck Finds video series), participates in aviation trade shows (AirVenture, Great Alaska Aviation Gathering), and maintains social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn. Technical publications are distributed through a partnership with Veryon (formerly ATP).
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems
- Legal name
- Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems
- Website
- https://aircraftwheelandbrake.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1939
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems designs and manufactures aircraft wheel assemblies, brake assemblies, hydraulic components, and conversion/repair kits for general aviation, business jet, rotorcraft, turboprop, military, and OEMs. Operating as a brand under Signia Aerospace, it distributes globally through authorized distributors and the Boeing marketplace.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aircraft Wheel and Brake Systems
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums) (IMACAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hydraulic Brake Systems (Master Cylinders/Calipers/Lines/Boosters) (IMACAIAD), Brake Control & Modulation Systems (ABS/ESC/EBD Modules & Hydraulics) (IMACAIAF), Wheel Hubs, Bearings & Knuckles (Hubs/Bearings/Spindles/Knuckles) (IMACAIAI)
Keywords
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aircraft Component Sales: Direct sales of aircraft wheels, brakes, hydraulic components, and related systems to airplane manufacturers, landing gear manufacturers, mechanics, pilots, and through authorized distribution network. Products include wheel assemblies, brake assemblies (internal and external caliper configurations), hydraulic components (master cylinders, parking brake valves, actuators, shimmy dampers), and conversion/repair kits.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems designs, manufactures, and sells aircraft wheel assemblies, brake assemblies, hydraulic components, and conversion/repair kits for general aviation, turboprop, business jet, rotorcraft, and military aircraft markets. Its product line includes main/nose/tail/dolly wheels, multiple internal and external caliper brake configurations, rotor brakes, the proprietary Obsidian Brake Disc line, hydraulic master cylinders, parking brake valves, shimmy dampers, and actuators.
Product overview
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems (CWBS) is a Signia Aerospace company providing a comprehensive portfolio of aircraft braking systems and key system components for the general aviation, turboprop, business jet, rotorcraft and military markets. The product portfolio centers on four core product categories: Wheel Assemblies (including main, nose/tail, and dolly wheel assemblies), Brake Assemblies (featuring internal and external caliper designs in single and dual configurations, plus rotor brakes), Hydraulics (master cylinders, parking brake valves, shimmy dampers, and actuators), and Conversion & Repair Kits. The company also offers Obsidian Brake Discs as a premium engineered product line. Supporting documentation includes the Technicians Service Guide and Component Maintenance Manual. With over 85 years of industry experience, Cleveland has established itself as a recognized brand serving airplane manufacturers, landing gear manufacturers, mechanics, and pilots worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Obsidian Brake Discs: Aircraft brake discs engineered for longer life, featuring Performance That Goes the Distance branding.
Products and services
- Wheel Assemblies Complete aircraft wheel assemblies — including main, nose/tail, and dolly wheel variants — engineered for general aviation, turboprop, business jet, rotorcraft, and military aircraft applications. Sold to airplane manufacturers, landing gear manufacturers, mechanics, and pilots through authorized distributors and direct purchasing.
- Brake Assemblies Aircraft brake assemblies providing stopping power across multiple market segments, offered in internal single caliper, internal dual caliper, internal flange driven, internal tubewell driven, external single caliper, external dual caliper, and rotor brake configurations for diverse aircraft platforms.
- Obsidian Brake Discs Proprietary Cleveland aircraft brake discs engineered for longer life and enhanced performance/durability, sold as a premium upgrade offering within the brake assemblies portfolio.
- Hydraulics Hydraulic system components for aircraft braking systems, including parking brake valves, standard and reservoir master cylinders, shimmy dampers, and actuators for brake actuation, pressure regulation, and shimmy prevention.
- Conversion & Repair Kits Kits for converting and repairing aircraft wheel and brake systems, including wheel & brake conversion kits, nose wheel conversion kits, and hydraulic & seal repair kits — designed to upgrade, replace, or overhaul existing Cleveland components in the field.
- Technician's Service Guide (AWBTSG0001) Technical service documentation for aircraft technicians providing maintenance procedures and guidelines for Cleveland wheel and brake products, available as a downloadable PDF.
- Component Maintenance Manual (AWBCMM0001) Comprehensive component maintenance manual with detailed repair and overhaul instructions for Cleveland wheel and brake components, available as a downloadable PDF.
Companies that use Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, core and minor.
- Signia Aerospaceparent companySignia Aerospace is the parent company of Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems. CWBS is one of multiple aerospace brands under Signia Aerospace including ACE Thermal Systems, Hartzell Aviation, International Water Guard, Lifesaving Systems, Meeker Aviation, Mezzo Technologies, Onboard Systems, and Onboard Hoist & Winch.
- Veryon (formerly ATP)corePartnership with Veryon for distribution of technical publications for Cleveland Wheels and Brakes products. Their partnership helps keep fleets in the air by providing specific technical documentation through Veryon's subscription store.
- BoeingminorProducts available through Boeing's branded marketplace store for aerospace components, providing access to Boeing's customer base.
- Air Parts (UK)minorUK-based authorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products serving the European market.
- CJ Aerospace (Australia)minorAustralian authorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products serving the Oceania market.
- S CrossminorAuthorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Beringer Aero: Beringer Aero is a direct competitor specializing in lightweight aluminum wheels and hydraulic brake systems for general aviation, ultralight, and rotorcraft. Its product scope, target customer base (GA mechanics, owners, OEMs), and conversion/repair kit model closely mirror Cleveland's general aviation wheel-and-brake offering.
- MTO Sport (formerly Matco Wheels & Brakes): MTO Sport produces wheels and brake assemblies for the experimental, light sport, and homebuilt aircraft markets. It directly competes with Cleveland's wheel assembly and caliper brake product lines, particularly among GA mechanics and aircraft owners seeking replacement or upgrade solutions.
- ABS Brakes (Aircraft Braking Systems): Aircraft Braking Systems (ABS) supplies brake discs, linings, and friction products for military and general aviation platforms under both OEM and aftermarket channels. It is one of the closest aftermarket and conversion-kit competitors to Cleveland's Obsidian Brake Discs and brake conversion portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace is a diversified Tier-1 supplier across avionics, propulsion, wheels, brakes, and hydraulic systems across commercial, business, and military aviation. While broader than Cleveland's focused product set, its wheel/brake subsystems compete for business jet and military platform content where both firms are active.
- Safran Landing Systems: Safran Landing Systems is the world's largest dedicated aircraft landing and braking systems supplier, providing wheels, brakes, and hydraulics for commercial and military aircraft. It competes with Cleveland in carbon and steel brake technologies and serves as the principal Tier-1 alternative across the broader aviation braking market.
- Collins Aerospace (Goodrich Landing Systems): Collins Aerospace, via the legacy Goodrich business, is the dominant Tier-1 supplier of aircraft wheels, brakes, and brake control systems for commercial, military, and business jet platforms. It is the broadest incumbent competing against Cleveland's specialized general aviation and rotorcraft wheel/brake portfolio with much larger scale and OEM contracts.
- Airbus Helicopters (Brake Systems): Airbus Helicopters, as an OEM and system integrator, specifies rotorcraft brake assemblies and hydraulic systems that compete with Cleveland's Rotor Brakes product line in the civil rotorcraft segment, though it primarily serves as a customer/specifier rather than direct peer supplier.
Emerging players
- Parker Hannifin Aerospace: Parker Hannifin's Aerospace division supplies hydraulic components, master cylinders, valves, and actuators used in aircraft braking and landing systems. Its hydraulic component portfolio is functionally comparable to Cleveland's hydraulics line and overlaps in the GA and rotorcraft supplier base.
- Crane Aerospace & Electronics: Crane Aerospace supplies hydraulic, braking, and landing system components used across commercial and military aircraft. Its braking-and-hydraulics product scope overlaps with Cleveland's hydraulic master cylinders, actuators, and valve portfolio for niche platform applications.
Others
- Hartzell Aviation: Hartzell Aviation is a sister Signia Aerospace brand supplying propellers, welding, and engine accessories to the GA and business jet markets. It shares the same parent, complementary product portfolio (propeller-to-brake ecosystem for general aviation), and overlap in OEM and distributor channels with Cleveland.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCleveland Wheel and Brake Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems 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 Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems
What does Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems do?
Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems designs, manufactures, and sells aircraft wheel assemblies, brake assemblies, hydraulic components, and conversion/repair kits for general aviation, turboprop, business jet, rotorcraft, and military aircraft markets. Its product line includes main/nose/tail/dolly wheels, multiple internal and external caliper brake configurations, rotor brakes, the proprietary Obsidian Brake Disc line, hydraulic master cylinders, parking brake valves, shimmy dampers, and actuators.
Is Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems a public or private company?
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems founded?
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems was founded in 1939. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems make money?
One revenue line is on record: aircraft Component Sales.
Who are Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Beringer Aero, MTO Sport (formerly Matco Wheels & Brakes) and ABS Brakes (Aircraft Braking Systems). Broad incumbents are Honeywell Aerospace, Safran Landing Systems, Collins Aerospace (Goodrich Landing Systems) and Airbus Helicopters (Brake Systems). Emerging players are Parker Hannifin Aerospace and Crane Aerospace & Electronics. Hartzell Aviation is listed as an others.
Does Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems.
What industry is Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems in?
Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems's product category is Aircraft Wheel and Brake Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAIAE, Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums), with a secondary code of IMACAIAD, Hydraulic Brake Systems (Master Cylinders/Calipers/Lines/Boosters). Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.