Progressive Air Group Continues Its Aggressive Expansion Program with the Acquisition of Brant Aero
Representatives of the Progressive Air Group and Brant Aero announce that Progressive Air Group has finalized its acquisition of Brantford, Ontario-based Brant Aero. Based at Brant Aero’s current location at Brantford Airport (CYFD) in Ontario, Canada, the new company will continue to operate as Brant Aero. In addition, the company has established a new parts distribution center based at the facility. That group will operate as Progressive Air East.
“This is a very exciting opportunity. The acquisition allows us to bring together two outstanding companies, each with over 40 years of experience in the support and maintenance of private and business aircraft. The two companies are so closely aligned, it was just a natural progression that Brant Aero should become part of the Progressive Air Group,” says Group’s president, Rob Wharf. “Bud and Pat Field have spent 43 years building an exceptionally strong technical team in a way that is the ideal complement to the priorities that the Progressive Air Group of Companies has established.”
“With the acquisition of Brant Aero’s Ontario-based facility, we can provide a full range of services to our general and business aviation customers, including avionics and airframe MRO capabilities and a full array of inspection and maintenance services for both piston and turbine aircraft engines,” Todd Collins, CEO of the Progressive Air Group of Companies says. “This combination of customer-oriented services is certainly unique in Canada. In fact, only a few other companies anywhere in the world provide this extensive an array of services for private and business aircraft.”
"I feel very privileged to have served the aviation community for the past 44 years,” says Bud Field, Brant Aero’s president. “Now I am very pleased that Brant Aero will continue into another era under the very capable leadership of the highly-respected owners behind the Progressive Air Group.”
Corey Anderson, general manager of Progressive Air East, says that Progressive Air Service staff already located in Brantford have started taking parts orders and making deliveries. “We have the expertise and inventory based in Canada to not only provide the right parts in a timely manner but a broad knowledge of engine parts and accessories to provide guidance on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting,” he says.
In making the acquisition announcement, Collins confirmed that both Bud and Pat Field would remain involved with Brant Aero going forward. In addition, principal, Edie Craddock, a lifetime member of the American Bonanza Society and avid aviator, will remain a shareholder of Brant Aero.
“Between Bud, Pat and Edie we have over 100 years of experience and insight into aircraft ownership, operations, and maintenance,” Collins says. “This is experience that has served Brant Aero well in the past and will be invaluable to assuring our success and growth in the future.”