Afaero Systems Corp.

What Afaero Systems Corp. does

Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace, operating under parent Afaero Systems Corp., is a US-based specialty distributor of aerospace-grade and military-specification (mil-spec) fasteners, hardware, fittings, and related components. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Agawam, Massachusetts, the company serves defense primes, aerospace OEMs, and government aviation buyers, with named customers including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Aurora Flight Sciences, Rexnord, UTC Aerospace Systems, and General Dynamics. Its core product surface is hard-to-source and compliance-restricted fasteners (AN/MS/NAS standards), complemented by value-added services such as custom packaging, kitting, sourcing of obsolete parts, and a barcode-driven Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) program claimed to span more than 20 years of operational deployment.

The business model is a distribution-plus-services model. Revenue is generated per quote against customer bill-of-materials or expedite requests, with a documented $10 line/$20 order minimum that signals a long-tail of low-ticket, high-frequency SKU fulfillment. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting Tier 1 and Tier 2 primes, supported by market entry barriers in the form of AS9120B (aviation/aerospace quality management), ISO 9001:2008, FAA AC 00-56 accreditation, DD 2435, DFARS compliance, and QSLD approval from the Defense Logistics Agency, the latter limiting qualified distributors to roughly 130 nationwide. Operations are centralized in a 44,500 sq ft Agawam facility that supports inspection, kitting, and document imaging for traceability. The entity is a division of Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), one of North America's largest industrial distributors, giving it parent-level balance-sheet support while operating under its own specialized brand. Recognitions include Lockheed Martin STAR Supplier and a Gold Medalist Supplier Award, both indicators of preferred-vendor status earned over multi-year performance on defense programs.

Name

Afaero Systems Corp.

Legal name

Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace

Website

https://afaero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Afaero Systems Corp., operating as Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace, distributes mil-spec and aerospace fasteners, hardware, and fittings to US defense primes and aerospace OEMs, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and UTC Aerospace, supported by QSLD, AS9120B, and FAA credentials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Fasteners and Hardware Distribution

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Fasteners & Hardware (IMABANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK)

Keywords

• Aerospace fastener distribution
• Mil-spec hardware supply
• Vendor managed inventory
• Aviation parts distribution
• Defense hardware distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Agawam

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fastener and Hardware Product Sales: Sale of aerospace, aviation, and mil-spec fasteners and hardware products including bolts, nuts, rivets, screws, cable ties, knobs, clamps, fittings, hoses, bearings, hinges, and other products. Products sold to AN, AS, Mil, MS, NAS, BAC, DIN, NA, and NSA standards.
2. Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Services: Custom bar-code-based inventory management programs where Atlantic manages customer inventory, delivers products on time in measured quantities, maintains lot control, and provides monthly invoicing combining all orders.
3. Value-Added Services: Specialized services including custom packaging (waterproof, greaseproof, heat sealed, Ziploc bags), kitting programs, package labeling with customer part numbers and bar codes, and specialized billing options including invoicing by kit project number.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace is a wholesale distributor specializing in aerospace, aviation, and military-spec fasteners and hardware products—including bolts, nuts, rivets, screws, cable ties, knobs, clamps, fittings, hoses, bearings, and hinges—meeting AN, AS, Mil, MS, NAS, BAC, DIN, NA, and NSA standards. The company complements its physical product distribution with barcode-based Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs, same-day shipping, lot traceability through document imaging, online certification access, hard-to-find parts sourcing, and custom packaging/kitting services.

Product overview

Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace is a certified stocking distributor specializing in aerospace, aviation, and military-spec hardware and fasteners. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized into four main categories: Hardware (fasteners including bolts, nuts, rivets, screws, and specialized aerospace-grade fasteners meeting AN, AS, Mil, MS, NAS, BAC, DIN, NA, and NSA standards); Electronic Assembly Components (cable assemblies, connectors, and related electronic hardware); Fittings & Accessories (clamps, fittings, hoses, hydraulic fittings); and Miscellaneous Hardware including bearings, hinges, and specialty products. The product portfolio includes brand-name fasteners from major aerospace suppliers. In addition to product distribution, the company provides complementary services including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs, same-day shipping, traceability and document imaging, 24/7 online certification access, hard-to-find parts sourcing, and custom packaging and kitting services. The company operates on a low-minimum order model ($10 line minimum, $20 order minimum) and serves commercial accounts, government contractors, and aerospace OEMs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fasteners (Hardware) Standard and specialty fasteners including alignment pins, bolts, captive screws, nuts, pins, retaining rings, rivets, rivet-nuts, seal screws, self-locking nuts, screws, socket head cap screws, socket screws, threaded inserts, and washers meeting AN, AS, Mil, MS, NAS, BAC, DIN, NA, and NSA standards for aerospace, aviation, and defense applications.
• Electronic Assembly Components Electronic assembly products including cable assemblies, cable ties, card guides, clips and retainers, connectors, fuses/holders, handles, heat shrink tubing, heat sinks, knobs, lamps, solder sleeves, spacers/standoffs, terminals, test accessories, transistor pads, and wire for aerospace electronic assembly applications.
• Fittings and Accessories Fittings and accessory products including clamps, fittings, hoses, and hydraulic fittings for aerospace fluid handling applications.
• Miscellaneous Hardware and Components Additional aerospace hardware components including battery components, bearings, hinges, installation tooling, latches, nylon components, and panel fasteners.
• Specialty Fastener Products Specialty aerospace fasteners including 12 point bolts, double hex bolts, Camloc (Live Lock and MarkIV), Hi-Lok pins and collars (HL, HTL and Hi-Lite), hinge and hinge pins (MS20257, MS20001), installation tools (Avdel Cherry, Emhart), Keenserts inserts, and lock bolts (Jo Bolts, Composi-Lok, Visu-Lok, Veri-lite).
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Custom barcode-based inventory management program with over 20 years of experience, providing on-time delivery in measured quantities, lot control, management reports, and onsite scanning services for aerospace OEM and defense contractor customers.
• Hard-to-Find Parts Sourcing Specialty cross-referencing service for locating obsolete or hard-to-find fasteners, including parts with exotic materials or non-standard finishes, addressing sourcing challenges for aerospace customers.
• Packaging and Kitting Services Custom packaging options including waterproof, greaseproof, heat sealed, and Ziploc bags, kitting programs combining multiple POs, and package labeling with custom part numbers and bar codes for aerospace customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.96% reliability and accuracy rating
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 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

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Lockheed MartincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor aerospace and defense OEM. Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace is approved supplier and named STAR Supplier (top 1% of 4,625 Lockheed vendors). Sells fasteners and hardware meeting Lockheed specifications.
• RaytheoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerospace and defense contractor. Approved supplier relationship for aerospace fasteners and hardware products.
• Aurora Flight SciencescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerospace manufacturer. Approved supplier for fasteners and hardware supporting aircraft manufacturing.
• RexnordcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerospace supplier. Close working relationship for fasteners and hardware distribution.
• UTC Aerospace SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerospace systems manufacturer. Approved supplier relationship for aerospace fasteners.
• General DynamicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDefense contractor. Approved supplier for fasteners and mil-spec hardware products.
• Applied Industrial Technologies (Parent Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company providing resources, benefits, and extensive name-brand product inventory. Atlantic Fasteners Aerospace is division of Applied Industrial Technologies. Access to corporate career development, education reimbursement, and 401k with company match.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Precision Aviation Group: Aerospace parts distribution and MRO services provider for commercial and defense operators. Overlaps with Afaero in fastener/hardware distribution to aviation and defense customers; broader MRO scope distinguishes the two but customer profile is closely aligned.
• Consolidated Aircraft Supply Co. Independent aerospace fastener and hardware distributor serving OEM, MRO, and military customers. Closest mid-market direct peer to Afaero — comparable product mix (AN/MS/NAS spec fasteners), customer segments, and value-added service model.
• Pattonair (Moog Inc.): Specialist aerospace fastener and hardware distributor acquired by Moog Inc. Closely comparable product portfolio (aerospace-grade fasteners and small parts), with deeper scale and a Tier-1 owner. Direct competitor for prime contractor fastener programs.
• Aviall Services (Boeing Distribution): Wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing and one of the largest aerospace parts distributors globally. Competes head-to-head with Afaero for fastener and hardware distribution at commercial aerospace and defense customers; scale and Boeing parentage represent the upper bound of the competitive landscape.
• Satair: Airbus-owned global aerospace parts and fastener distributor. Direct competitor to Afaero in the aerospace fastener distribution category, but with substantially larger scale, global footprint, and OEM captive status. Most direct comparable in product category and customer type.
• McFarlane Aviation: Aviation parts distributor serving general aviation, business aviation, and commercial operators with FAA-approved fasteners and hardware. Smaller-scope peer than Afaero — relevant comparison for the commercial/private aviation channel rather than the defense prime channel.

Broad incumbents

• HEICO: Aerospace and electronics company with the largest independent aerospace aftermarket parts business (HEICO Parts). Operates as a broad incumbent across multiple aerospace parts categories including fasteners; serves many of the same defense primes and MROs but at materially larger scale and via FAA-PMA parts manufacturing.
• TransDigm Group: Aerospace components manufacturer and distributor with a proprietary parts portfolio across multiple airframe and engine systems. Indirect peer — competes in adjacent aerospace components rather than fastener distribution specifically, but is a benchmark for the kind of aerospace parts operator Afaero's primes source from.
• Howmet Aerospace: Former Alcoa fastener and engineered products business, now Howmet Aerospace. A leading manufacturer (not distributor) of aerospace fasteners and titanium/aluminum components. Not a direct distribution competitor but a leading upstream supplier of branded fastener products that Afaero distributes.

Others

• WESCO International: Large-scale industrial and electrical distribution conglomerate (parent of Anixter). Relevant as a scale and business-model benchmark for what an industrial/aerospace parts distributor can become at scale — Afaero sits several orders of magnitude below WESCO in revenue but operates a comparable distribution playbook.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/afasteners?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/Atlantic-Fasteners-Aerospace-329693527073830
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlantic-fasteners---aerospace-division

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Afaero Systems Corp.