Aerospace Surface Treatments a division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited

What Aerospace Surface Treatments a division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited does

Aerospace Surface Treatments (AST) is a division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited, a UK private limited company headquartered in Stansted and operating within the multi-million pound Inflite Group. AST provides aerospace-grade surface treatments including anodising, precision mask and paint finishing, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for aircraft components and sub-assemblies. It operates under NADCAP, EASA Part 21G, ISO 9001/AS9100, and JOSCAR accreditations, and is integrated within Inflite's broader manufacturing platform that spans five-axis CNC machining up to 7 metres, fabrication, complex assembly, and Speed-Shop/AOG support across 25 five-axis machines, 240 engineering staff, and 110,000 hours of annual machining capacity.

AST generates revenue through direct B2B contracts with major aerospace and defence primes and tier-1 subsystem suppliers, including Airbus, GE Aviation, GKN, Triumph, Leonardo, Cobham, and BAE Systems. The business operates an enterprise field sales model with no resellers, project-by-project pricing, and delivery from UK facilities to a global customer base. Its competitive position rests on NADCAP/EASA-certified processes, decades of operational track record, and the ability to bundle surface treatment with upstream machining, fabrication, and assembly services as a single-source supplier.

The company is privately held under the Inflite Group parent conglomerate with Will Stephens as CEO. No private equity, venture capital, or institutional investor ownership is disclosed, and no funding rounds, acquisitions, or restructuring events appear in the available record. The operating footprint is concentrated in the United Kingdom with European market focus and international prime customer delivery.

Name

Aerospace Surface Treatments a division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited

Legal name

Inflite Engineering Services Limited

Website

https://inflite.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aerospace Surface Treatments (Inflite AST) is a UK-based division of Inflite Engineering Services providing NADCAP-certified anodising, mask and paint finishing, and Non-Destructive Testing services to aerospace and defence primes including Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Surface Treatment Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABALAJ

NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Aerospace MRO, Repair & Overhaul (Aftermarket)

SECONDARYEDAOAFAI

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Aircraft

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Aviation Maintenance & Repair (AMT)

SECONDARYEDAOAFAD

Aircraft Structures, Sheet Metal & Composites Repair

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Aviation Maintenance & Repair (AMT)

Keywords

• Aerospace surface treatments
• Anodising services
• Non-destructive testing
• Aircraft component finishing
• Aerospace corrosion protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Stansted

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Manufacturing and Engineering Services: Comprehensive manufacturing and engineering services including CNC machining, fabrication, complex assembly, speed-shop/AOG support, and surface treatments. Revenue is generated through direct contracts with aerospace and defence clients for bespoke manufacturing services, likely on a project or long-term contract basis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Aerospace Surface Treatments (AST) provides essential surface treatment services for aerospace components and sub-assemblies, including aerospace-grade anodising for corrosion resistance, precision mask and paint finishing, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for quality inspection. Operating as a specialist division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited within the multi-million pound Inflite organisation, the division serves major aerospace and defence primes and tier-1 suppliers.

Product overview

Inflite Engineering is a comprehensive aerospace and defence manufacturing services provider operating as a platform-plus-capabilities model. The company offers five interconnected service lines: CNC Milling and Turning (5-axis machining up to 7m with universal grinders and 2-axis turning), Fabrication (sheet metal, heat treatments, forming, pressing, welding and brazing), Complex Assembly (major aircraft components and sub-assemblies), Speed-Shop/AOGs/Line Stoppers (urgent aircraft on ground support and line stopper services), and Surface Treatments through its Aerospace Surface Treatments (AST) division providing anodising, mask and paint finish, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). The company operates 25 5-axis machines up to 7m capacity, 240 engineering staff, and 110,000 hours annual machining capacity, serving major aerospace and defence clients including Airbus, GE, GKN, Triumph, Leonardo, Cobham, and BAE Systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aerospace Anodising Aerospace-grade anodising process for aluminium components providing corrosion resistance and surface hardening. Performed to stringent aerospace quality standards (including NADCAP accreditation) for aircraft components and sub-assemblies supplied to major aerospace and defence customers.
• Mask and Paint Finish Precision masking and paint finishing services for aerospace components, providing aesthetic and protective finishes that meet stringent aerospace quality and durability requirements. Targeted at aircraft components, sub-assemblies, and finished parts for aerospace and defence primes.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services used to inspect aerospace components without causing damage, verifying structural integrity and compliance with aerospace standards. Supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and traceability requirements for aerospace and defence customers.

Named customers7 records

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 indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• AerFin: Aerospace aftermarket specialist providing aircraft component MRO, engine support, and special process services. Comparable as a UK-based aerospace aftermarket services company targeting airline and prime customers with mission-critical response capability.
• TWI Ltd: UK-based industrial research and technology organisation offering NDT, welding, and materials testing services with aerospace accreditation. Comparable on the NDT/inspection side, particularly for aerospace structural components.

Broad incumbents

• AAR Corp: Large-scale aerospace aftermarket services provider offering MRO, component repair, and supply chain solutions. Comparable as an established aerospace services company providing AOG-style support and special process work to primes and operators.
• Bodycote: Global thermal processing and surface treatment provider with extensive aerospace accreditation and a wide portfolio of coating, heat treatment, and NDT services. A scaled incumbent that competes with AST in aerospace surface treatment and NDT.
• Magellan Aerospace: Global aerospace manufacturer and MRO provider offering component manufacturing, assembly, and special processes including NDT and surface treatments. Comparable in serving major primes with bundled manufacturing and aftermarket services.
• Element Materials Testing: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) provider with significant aerospace NDT and materials testing capability. Comparable on the NDT side of AST's offering, serving aerospace and defence primes with accredited inspection services.
• Senior plc: UK-listed aerospace and defence components manufacturer with special process capabilities including NDT and surface treatments. Comparable as a UK-headquartered tier-1/tier-2 supplier with overlapping customer base in Airbus, BAE, and GE programmes.

Regional players

• Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group: UK-based aerospace MRO and engineering services provider with special process capabilities serving defence and civil customers. Comparable as a UK MRO and special-process competitor with overlapping customer base including BAE and other primes.

Direct peers

• Poeton Industries: UK-based aerospace surface treatment specialist offering anodising, plating, painting, and NDT services to aerospace primes. Highly comparable in service mix, customer base, and regulatory standing to Inflite AST.
• Mettis Aerospace: UK-based aerospace components and special process provider serving Airbus, BAE, and other primes with forging, machining, and finishing services. Closely comparable in scale, customer mix, and geographic base to Inflite Engineering and AST.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerospace-surface-treatments-limited

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Aerospace Surface Treatments a division of Inflite Engineering Services Limited