Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems

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).

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

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

• Aircraft brake systems
• Aircraft wheel assemblies
• Aviation hydraulic components
• Brake conversion kits
• General aviation parts

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. 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

Core 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.

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, core and minor.

• Signia Aerospaceparent companyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignia 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)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership 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.
• BoeingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducts available through Boeing's branded marketplace store for aerospace components, providing access to Boeing's customer base.
• Air Parts (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based authorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products serving the European market.
• CJ Aerospace (Australia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian authorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products serving the Oceania market.
• S CrossminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems products.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/aircraftwheelandbrake
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aircraftwheelandbrake

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 Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems