Sell Your Aerospace Manufacturing Business in 2026: 7-10x EBITDA, Tier-1 OEM Demand, AS9100 Premium
Quick Answer
AS9100D-certified aerospace manufacturing suppliers with active Tier-1 OEM relationships trade at 7-10x EBITDA in 2026, with platform-quality assets clearing 10-12x. The premium reflects a structural moat: aerospace customer qualification requires 5-10 years to build and cannot be replicated organically by acquirers. Dedicated aerospace PE buyers include AE Industrial Partners, Liberty Hall Capital Partners, and Arlington Capital Partners, while HEICO and TransDigm are the most active strategic acquirers. Multiples vary by NADCAP certifications, long-term agreement stability, and customer concentration risk.
Christoph Totter · Managing Partner, CT Acquisitions
20+ home services M&A transactions across HVAC, plumbing, pest control, roofing · Updated May 5, 2026
Aerospace manufacturing is the highest-multiple sub-vertical in U.S. industrial M&A in 2026. AS9100D-certified Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers with current Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, GE Aviation, or Pratt & Whitney qualification trade at 7-10x EBITDA standard, with platform-quality assets (multi-year LTAs, proprietary tooling, engineered products) clearing 10-12x. The reason is structural: aerospace customer qualification is a 5-10 year build-out moat that no acquirer can replicate organically.
We work directly with 76+ active U.S. lower middle market buyers, including 38 manufacturing-focused capital partners. On the aerospace side specifically, the buyer pool includes three dedicated specialists — AE Industrial Partners (Boca Raton), Liberty Hall Capital Partners, and Arlington Capital Partners — plus generalist industrial PE platforms with active aerospace mandates: Trive Capital, Audax Industrial Partners, Industrial Growth Partners, GenNx360 Capital Partners, Wynnchurch Capital, and Mason Wells. On the strategic side, HEICO (NYSE: HEI) is the most active public aerospace aftermarket consolidator, with TransDigm and Heico Aerospace Components historically acquiring at premium multiples. The buyers pay us when a deal closes — not you.
This guide is the canonical hub for selling a U.S. aerospace manufacturing business in 2026. It covers buyer demand, multiples by size and product type, the five active buyer archetypes, named PE platforms with verifiable activity, the typical sale process, the drivers of premium multiples (AS9100, NADCAP, Tier-1 OEM mix, LTAs), the deal-killers in diligence (ITAR transfer, customer concentration, FAA findings), and how a buy-side partner is structurally different from a sell-side broker. If you want a starting-point valuation range now, our free valuation calculator takes about three minutes.

“Aerospace is the only sub-vertical in U.S. manufacturing where a $4M EBITDA business can credibly trade for 9x. The reason is structural: AS9100 + NADCAP + Tier-1 OEM qualification is a 5-10 year build-out moat that no buyer can replicate organically.”
TL;DR — the 90-second brief
- Aerospace manufacturing commands the highest multiples in U.S. industrial M&A. 7-10x EBITDA is standard for AS9100-certified Tier-2 / Tier-3 suppliers with Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop, GE Aviation, or Pratt & Whitney customer relationships. Premium assets with multi-year LTAs and proprietary tooling can push 10-12x.
- Multiples by EBITDA size: $1-3M = 6-8x; $3-7M = 7-9x; $7-15M = 8-10x; $15M+ = 9-12x for platform-quality assets. Build-to-print job shops trade at the low end. Engineered-product manufacturers with proprietary IP trade at the high end.
- Three aerospace-dedicated PE platforms drive the buyer pool: AE Industrial Partners (Boca Raton), Liberty Hall Capital Partners, Arlington Capital Partners. Plus generalist industrial PE (Audax, Trive Capital, Industrial Growth Partners) and the public consolidator HEICO (NYSE: HEI) on the aftermarket side.
- Premium drivers: AS9100D current with no major findings, NADCAP for special processes, FAA / EASA approvals, ITAR registration current, Tier-1 OEM customers (Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop, GE, P&W), multi-year LTAs / contracts, low customer concentration, proprietary tooling / engineering IP.
- We’re a buy-side partner working with 76+ active U.S. lower middle market buyers, including 38 manufacturing-focused capital partners. The buyers pay us, not you. No retainer, no exclusivity, no contract required.
Key Takeaways
- Aerospace manufacturing commands 7-10x EBITDA standard; platform-quality assets with LTAs and IP push 10-12x.
- Multiples by EBITDA size: $1-3M = 6-8x; $3-7M = 7-9x; $7-15M = 8-10x; $15M+ = 9-12x for clean assets.
- Three dedicated aerospace PE platforms: AE Industrial Partners, Liberty Hall Capital, Arlington Capital Partners.
- Generalist industrial PE platforms with active aerospace mandates: Trive Capital, Audax Industrial, IGP, GenNx360, Wynnchurch, Mason Wells.
- Premium drivers: AS9100D + NADCAP for special processes, ITAR current, Tier-1 OEM customers, multi-year LTAs, proprietary tooling / engineering IP.
- Top deal-killers: ITAR transfer issues, FAA / quality findings open at sale, customer concentration above 30%, LTA expiration without renewal, environmental exposure from chemical processing.
Why aerospace manufacturing commands premium multiples in 2026
Aerospace is structurally different from generic manufacturing in three ways that drive multiple premium. First, the qualification moat: AS9100D certification, NADCAP special-process accreditation, FAA / EASA approvals, and Tier-1 OEM customer qualification represent a 5-10 year build-out that no acquirer can replicate organically. Second, the demand cycle: commercial aviation back to growth post-2024, defense spending at sustained highs, and supply-chain reshoring all drive structural backlog. Third, customer credit quality: Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop, GE Aviation, and Pratt & Whitney are investment-grade counterparties with multi-year contracted demand, which de-risks the cash flow underwriting.
On the supply side, aerospace PE has matured into a dedicated category. AE Industrial Partners (Boca Raton, FL) raised a $1.28B Fund III in 2020 and a $1.28B Fund IV more recently, with multiple aerospace platform exits at 10x+ multiples. Liberty Hall Capital Partners is on its third fund focused exclusively on aerospace and defense supply chain. Arlington Capital Partners has run multiple aerospace platforms across its fund vintages. Capital is dedicated and patient, which supports premium pricing.
What this means for owner-operators of $1-30M EBITDA aerospace manufacturing businesses. You are sitting in front of the deepest, most knowledgeable, most willing-to-pay-premium buyer pool in U.S. industrial M&A. The question is positioning — do you look like a platform-quality aerospace asset (current AS9100, NADCAP, Tier-1 OEM mix, LTAs in place, proprietary tooling) or do you look like a job shop with some aerospace exposure? The difference is 2-3 turns of EBITDA multiple, which on $5M EBITDA is $10-15M of purchase price.
Aerospace manufacturing multiples in 2026: what the data shows
Aerospace multiples are driven by EBITDA size, customer mix, product type (build-to-print vs engineered), and certification depth. Size determines which buyer pool is active. Customer mix — specifically the depth of Tier-1 OEM relationships — drives 1-2 turns of premium. Product type matters because engineered products with proprietary IP trade at structural premium over build-to-print job shops. Certification depth (AS9100D + NADCAP + ITAR + FAA) is the qualification moat and the gating factor for which buyers will engage.
Generic aerospace manufacturing multiples by EBITDA size in 2026: $1-3M EBITDA: 6-8x — LMM PE add-on territory, light platform interest. $3-7M EBITDA: 7-9x — deep aerospace PE platform territory, all three dedicated specialists active. $7-15M EBITDA: 8-10x — full aerospace PE bidding, family offices, public strategics in pool. $15M+ EBITDA: 9-12x — mid-market PE process with strategic premiums available from HEICO and other public consolidators.
Product-type adjustments within aerospace: Build-to-print machine shop (no IP, customer-supplied drawings): -1 to -1.5 turns vs band. Build-to-print with NADCAP special processes (anodize, plating, heat-treat, NDT): at par. Engineered components with proprietary tooling: +0.5-1x. Engineered products with patents / proprietary IP: +1-2 turns. Aftermarket / MRO with PMA approvals: +1-2 turns (HEICO premium). Tier-1 system supplier with multi-year LTAs: +1-2 turns.
Customer mix adjustments: Boeing 737 / 787 program exposure: at par to +0.5x (program-life questions for older platforms). Lockheed F-35 / next-gen programs: +0.5-1x (long-tail certified position). Raytheon / RTX systems: +0.5-1x. Northrop Grumman / B-21 / classified programs: +1-2x (defense premium). GE Aviation / Pratt & Whitney engine programs: +0.5-1x. Pure commercial aviation cycle exposure: -0.5x for cyclicality. Defense / classified mix above 50%: +1-2x for stability premium.
The 5 active buyer archetypes for aerospace manufacturing
The buyer pool for U.S. aerospace manufacturing divides into five archetypes. Aerospace is unusual because the dedicated specialists (AE Industrial, Liberty Hall, Arlington) command outsized share of platform deals at $5M+ EBITDA. Generalist industrial PE bids competitively at the LMM end. Public strategics (HEICO, TransDigm) bid at premium for the right aftermarket / engineered-product fit.
Archetype 1: dedicated aerospace PE platform. Three named specialists: AE Industrial Partners (Boca Raton, FL) — pure-play aerospace, defense, industrial services with multiple platform investments. Liberty Hall Capital Partners — dedicated aerospace and defense fund. Arlington Capital Partners — aerospace, defense, government services. Multiples: 8-12x EBITDA at platform size. Process: deep technical diligence, ITAR / export control review, full QoE. Best fit: $5M+ EBITDA aerospace assets with current certifications and Tier-1 OEM mix.
Archetype 2: generalist industrial PE with aerospace mandate. Trive Capital — industrial / aerospace specialist with multiple aerospace platform deals. Audax Industrial Partners — deep LMM industrial with aerospace exposure. Industrial Growth Partners — engineered industrial including aerospace components. GenNx360 Capital Partners — industrial roll-ups including aerospace. Wynnchurch Capital, Mason Wells — mid-market industrial with aerospace platforms. Multiples: 7-10x EBITDA. Best fit: $3-15M EBITDA aerospace with strong industrial fundamentals.
Archetype 3: aerospace PE add-on / tuck-in. Existing PE-backed aerospace platforms acquiring smaller bolt-ons. Same named PE firms operating through portfolio companies. Multiples: 7-9x EBITDA, often with rollover equity. Faster close (60-120 days). Best fit: $1-7M EBITDA aerospace with capability or geographic fit to existing platform.
Archetype 4: public strategic / aerospace consolidator. HEICO (NYSE: HEI) — commercial aerospace aftermarket parts and engineered products, most active public aerospace acquirer. TransDigm Group — aerospace components and proprietary aftermarket. Curtiss-Wright, Moog Inc., Howmet Aerospace — selective acquirers. Multiples: 9-14x EBITDA when strategic fit and aftermarket exposure align. Best fit: aftermarket / engineered-product businesses with proprietary IP.
Archetype 5: family office with aerospace mandate. Multi-family offices and single-family offices with aerospace / defense mandates. Patient capital, longer hold horizons. Multiples: 6-9x EBITDA, often with rollover equity. Best fit: owners who want partial liquidity but continued ownership and care about long-term family / employee continuity.
Named PE platforms acquiring aerospace manufacturing in 2026
Dedicated aerospace PE platforms with verifiable 2025-2026 activity. AE Industrial Partners — Fund III $1.28B (2020), Fund IV similar size; portfolio includes Belcan, Altus Aerospace, BigBear.ai, multiple aerospace components platforms. Sub-segment focus: aerospace components, defense electronics, MRO services. Boca Raton, FL based. Liberty Hall Capital Partners — dedicated aerospace / defense supply-chain investor; multiple Tier-2 / Tier-3 supplier platforms across propulsion, structures, engineered components. Arlington Capital Partners — aerospace, defense, government services with multiple LMM aerospace platforms over fund vintages.
Generalist industrial PE with active aerospace 2025-2026 deals. Trive Capital — aerospace platforms across precision manufacturing and components. Audax Industrial Partners — aerospace exposure within broader industrial portfolio. Industrial Growth Partners (IGP) — engineered industrial products with aerospace platform deals. GenNx360 Capital Partners — industrial roll-ups including aerospace components. Wynnchurch Capital, Mason Wells, Sterling Group, Cortec Group — selective aerospace platform investments.
Public strategic acquirers in aerospace. HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI) — commercial aerospace aftermarket consolidator, dozens of acquisitions historically, premium-multiple acquirer. TransDigm Group (NYSE: TDG) — proprietary aerospace components and aftermarket. Curtiss-Wright (NYSE: CW) — defense electronics and engineered products. Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A) — precision motion control. Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) — engineered metal products. Heico Aerospace Components — aftermarket parts.
Family offices and patient capital sources. Many of the 76+ buyers we work with are family offices that don’t publicize their aerospace activity but write checks for $5-25M EBITDA platforms. They typically pay 0.5-1x below institutional aerospace PE but offer longer hold periods, lighter operational change, and rollover equity options. For owner-operators who care about legacy and employee continuity, family-office buyers can be the best economic outcome.
The typical aerospace manufacturing M&A sale process
An aerospace sell-side process for a $5M+ EBITDA business runs 9-12 months from prep-complete to close. Slightly longer than generic manufacturing because aerospace diligence includes ITAR / export control review, FAA / quality system audits, customer concentration validation through OEM-direct reference calls, and LTA review. Add 12-24 months on the front for proper preparation if AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, and customer LTAs aren’t already in current and clean condition.
Months 1-2: positioning, CIM build, buyer list. Build a 45-65 page CIM emphasizing certification depth (AS9100D, NADCAP scopes, FAA approvals, ITAR), customer mix by Tier-1 OEM and program, LTA / contract base, sub-segment positioning (engineered vs build-to-print, structures vs propulsion vs interiors), and growth thesis. Build a target buyer list of 25-50 prospects: 3 dedicated aerospace PE specialists, 10-15 generalist industrial PE with aerospace mandates, 5-8 PE add-on candidates via portfolio companies, 3-5 public strategics, and 5-10 family offices.
Months 2-4: management meetings and IOIs. 8-12 buyers move into management presentations — typically a full-day on-site visit including operations walkthrough, certification audit (AS9100, NADCAP), customer / LTA review, and Q&A with operations and quality leadership. Receive 3-7 IOIs with non-binding price ranges. Negotiate to 2-3 buyers for confirmatory diligence.
Months 4-8: LOI, exclusivity, confirmatory diligence. Sign LOI with 60-90 day exclusivity. QoE engagement ($100-180K). Aerospace-specialized legal counsel reviews ITAR / export control compliance. FAA quality audit review. Customer reference calls with named Tier-1 contacts (carefully managed). Environmental Phase I / II for chemical processing operations (anodize, plating). Working capital target negotiation. Indemnification, R&W, escrow, earnout terms negotiated.
Months 8-12: signing, regulatory clearance, close. Definitive purchase agreement signed. ITAR transfer notification to State Department (DDTC). Regulatory clearance (HSR if over threshold). FAA / customer notifications per LTAs. Final working capital adjustment. Employee notification. Closing — wire transfer, escrow funding, transition services agreement effective. Many aerospace deals include a 6-18 month transition services agreement covering quality, ITAR compliance, and customer relationship management.
Aerospace-specific timeline disruptors. ITAR transfer requires DDTC notification and can delay close 3-8 weeks. FAA quality findings open at sale require remediation before transfer. AS9100 nonconformances surfaced in customer audits can re-trade the deal. LTA expirations without renewal commitment can compress multiples. Environmental Phase II findings from anodize / plating / heat-treat operations can trigger 4-12 week delays for remediation negotiation.
What drives premium multiples in aerospace manufacturing
Six characteristics drive 7x vs 11x outcomes in aerospace M&A. Each is a structural driver of buyer underwriting. PE platforms model future cash flows against backlog visibility, customer credit quality, and qualification moat — each of these characteristics either de-risks the model or extends growth runway.
Driver 1: AS9100D current with no major findings. AS9100D Rev D certification is the table-stakes qualification for aerospace OEM supply. A clean recent surveillance audit with no major findings is a 1-2 turn driver. Lapsed certification or open major findings during sale process can drop the deal entirely or compress to job-shop multiples.
Driver 2: NADCAP for special processes. Anodize, plating, heat-treat, non-destructive testing, chemical processing — any ‘special process’ in aerospace requires NADCAP accreditation through the Performance Review Institute. NADCAP scopes are a 2-5 year build-out moat. Multiple NADCAP scopes in current standing add 0.5-1.5x to multiple.
Driver 3: Tier-1 OEM customer mix and LTAs. Direct relationships with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney are premium drivers. Multi-year Long-Term Agreements (3-7 year LTAs) with named Tier-1 customers are 1-2 turn premium. Customer concentration matters in reverse: a single Tier-1 above 40% of revenue compresses multiples even when the customer is investment-grade.
Driver 4: ITAR registration and export control. Defense work requires ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) registration with DDTC. Current ITAR registration with no compliance findings is a 0.5-1x premium. ITAR transfer at sale must be properly noticed and consented — informal handling kills deals.
Driver 5: engineered IP vs build-to-print. Build-to-print (customer-supplied drawings, no proprietary IP) trades at 6-7x. Engineered products with proprietary tooling, patents, or PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) for aftermarket trade at 9-12x. The HEICO premium is built on this thesis. If you have engineering content, document it as IP in CIM.
Driver 6: backlog and book-to-bill. Aerospace customers issue multi-year purchase order schedules. A backlog of 18-36 months with book-to-bill above 1.0 (more new orders than current shipments) is a 0.5-1x premium driver. PE platforms model the backlog as visible revenue. Document backlog by customer / program in CIM.
Want to know what your aerospace manufacturing business is actually worth in 2026?
We’re a buy-side partner working with 76+ buyers including 38 manufacturing-focused capital partners — the buyers pay us, not you, no contract required. We have direct working relationships with the three dedicated aerospace specialists (AE Industrial, Liberty Hall, Arlington Capital) and generalist industrial PE platforms with active aerospace mandates. A 30-minute call gets you three things: a real read on what your aerospace business is worth in today’s market, the names of the 3-5 buyers most likely to fit your sub-segment, and the option to meet one of them. Try our free valuation calculator for a starting-point range first if you prefer.
Book a 30-Min CallCommon deal-killers in aerospace M&A diligence
Five issues kill or re-trade more aerospace LOIs than any others. Aerospace adds three deal-killers (ITAR, FAA findings, NADCAP lapses) on top of the generic manufacturing list (customer concentration, environmental). Each is preventable with 12-24 months of pre-process preparation. Each is also discovered late in diligence by 90% of unprepared sellers.
Deal-killer 1: ITAR transfer issues. If your business handles ITAR-controlled defense items, transfer requires DDTC notification and consent. Owner-operators who haven’t maintained current registration, who have export licenses with compliance issues, or who haven’t properly trained personnel, face transfer delays or buyer walks. Fix: pre-process ITAR compliance audit by export-control counsel 12+ months ahead.
Deal-killer 2: AS9100 / NADCAP findings open at sale. Surveillance audit with major findings still open. NADCAP scope lapses approaching expiration. Customer-driven quality holds. Each kills LOI economics or triggers re-trade. Fix: pre-process quality system review with external aerospace quality consultant 6-12 months ahead. Close all findings before market.
Deal-killer 3: customer concentration above 30%. Even when the concentrated customer is investment-grade Boeing or Lockheed, concentration above 30% compresses multiples 0.5-1.5x or pushes the deal into earnout structures tied to customer retention. Fix: 12-18 months of intentional customer diversification, additional Tier-1 OEM qualifications, multi-program exposure within existing customers.
Deal-killer 4: LTA expiration without renewal commitment. If a major LTA expires within 12 months of close without renewal commitment, buyers will compress multiples or push the deal into earnout. Fix: renew or extend LTAs 18-24 months ahead. Document customer commitment letters where formal extensions aren’t available.
Deal-killer 5: environmental exposure from chemical processing. Anodize, plating, heat-treat, painting, solvent operations create environmental exposure. Phase II findings of soil or groundwater contamination trigger indemnification negotiations or buyer walk. PFAS-related exposure is a growing issue. Fix: Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments at your initiative 12-18 months before market. Address findings before buyers see them.
How CT Acquisitions works: a buy-side partner, not a sell-side broker
Most M&A advisors are sell-side brokers. They sign you to a 12-month exclusive engagement, charge a monthly retainer ($10-25K is common in LMM), run a competitive auction process across 6-12 months, and collect a success fee (typically 5-10% of deal value, often $500K-$2M+ on a $10-25M aerospace deal). The economics are heavily front-loaded for the broker: you pay regardless of outcome.
We work the other side of the table. We’re a buy-side partner working with 76+ active U.S. lower middle market buyers, including 38 manufacturing-focused capital partners. On the aerospace side specifically, we have direct working relationships with the three dedicated specialists (AE Industrial, Liberty Hall, Arlington Capital) plus generalist industrial PE platforms with active aerospace mandates. The buyers pay us when a deal closes, not you. No retainer. No exclusivity. No 12-month contract. No tail fee.
Why this works for aerospace owners. We already know which of the 76+ buyers is currently writing checks for your sub-segment (structures vs propulsion vs interiors vs aftermarket) and size. We can introduce you to 3-5 buyers with active mandates that fit your business in days, not months. We move faster (60-120 days from intro to LOI) because we’re not running an auction to find buyers — we already know them. And the cost-of-trying is zero, so the conversation is downside-protected.
When a sell-side broker is the better fit. If your business is $40M+ EBITDA aerospace with multiple plausible strategic buyers (HEICO, TransDigm, Curtiss-Wright) all credibly in the bidding pool, a top-tier sell-side investment bank with aerospace expertise may justify the fees. For LMM aerospace ($1-30M EBITDA), the buy-side path almost always delivers better economics.
Conclusion
Aerospace manufacturing is the highest-multiple sub-vertical in U.S. industrial M&A in 2026. 7-10x EBITDA standard, 10-12x for engineered IP and Tier-1 OEM platform-quality assets. Three dedicated PE specialists (AE Industrial, Liberty Hall, Arlington Capital) plus generalist industrial PE platforms (Trive Capital, Audax, IGP, GenNx360, Wynnchurch, Mason Wells). Public consolidator HEICO (NYSE: HEI) at premium multiples for the right aftermarket / engineered-product fit. The premium drivers are clear: AS9100D current, NADCAP scopes in good standing, ITAR registration current, Tier-1 OEM customer mix with multi-year LTAs, engineered IP rather than pure build-to-print, and 18-36 month backlog with book-to-bill above 1.0. The deal-killers are equally clear: ITAR transfer issues, AS9100 / NADCAP findings open at sale, customer concentration above 30%, LTA expiration without renewal, and environmental exposure from chemical processing. Owners who prepare 12-24 months ahead and position to the right buyer archetype see 2-3 turns of multiple uplift — on $5M EBITDA, that’s $10-15M of additional purchase price. If you want to talk to a buy-side partner who already knows the 76+ buyers and the aerospace specialists specifically, we’re a buy-side partner — the buyers pay us, not you, no contract required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my aerospace manufacturing business worth in 2026?
Generic ranges by EBITDA: $1-3M = 6-8x; $3-7M = 7-9x; $7-15M = 8-10x; $15M+ = 9-12x. Product-type adjustments: build-to-print job shop -1 to -1.5x, engineered products with IP +1-2x, aftermarket / PMA approvals +1-2x. Customer mix: defense / classified above 50% +1-2x, pure commercial cycle exposure -0.5x.
Who buys aerospace manufacturing businesses?
Three dedicated aerospace PE specialists: AE Industrial Partners (Boca Raton), Liberty Hall Capital Partners, Arlington Capital Partners. Generalist industrial PE with aerospace mandates: Trive Capital, Audax Industrial, Industrial Growth Partners, GenNx360, Wynnchurch, Mason Wells. Public strategics: HEICO (NYSE: HEI), TransDigm (NYSE: TDG), Curtiss-Wright (NYSE: CW), Moog (NYSE: MOG.A), Howmet (NYSE: HWM).
How important are AS9100 and NADCAP for premium multiples?
AS9100D current with no major findings is table-stakes for aerospace OEM supply — a 1-2 turn driver and required to access most buyers. NADCAP scopes for special processes (anodize, plating, heat-treat, NDT) add another 0.5-1.5x. Lapsed certifications or open major findings during sale can drop the deal or compress to generic manufacturing multiples (5-7x vs 8-10x).
How does ITAR affect a sale process?
ITAR-controlled defense work requires DDTC (State Department) notification and consent at transfer. The process can add 3-8 weeks to close. Owner-operators with current ITAR registration, no compliance findings, and properly trained personnel transfer cleanly. Lapsed registration or compliance gaps are deal-killers. Pre-process ITAR audit by export-control counsel is essential.
What about customer concentration with Boeing or Lockheed?
Even with investment-grade Tier-1 customers, concentration above 30% compresses multiples 0.5-1.5x or pushes the deal into earnout. Buyers underwrite program-life risk regardless of customer credit quality. The 12-18 month fix: additional Tier-1 OEM qualifications, multi-program exposure within existing customers, intentional new-customer development.
How long does an aerospace sale process take?
9-12 months from prep-complete to close for a $5M+ EBITDA aerospace business. Slightly longer than generic manufacturing because of ITAR review, FAA / quality audits, customer LTA validation, and environmental diligence on chemical processing operations. Add 12-24 months for proper preparation if certifications, customer LTAs, and environmental aren’t already current and clean.
How is CT Acquisitions different from a sell-side broker or M&A advisor?
We’re a buy-side partner, not a sell-side broker. Sell-side brokers represent you and charge you 8-12% of the deal (often $500K-$2M+ on aerospace) plus monthly retainers and require 12-month exclusivity. We work directly with 76+ buyers including 38 manufacturing-focused capital partners and the three dedicated aerospace specialists (AE Industrial, Liberty Hall, Arlington Capital). The buyers pay us when a deal closes. You pay nothing. No retainer, no exclusivity, no contract. We move faster (60-120 days from intro to LOI) because we already know who the right buyer is.
Sources & References
All claims and figures in this analysis are sourced from the publicly available references below.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Buying & Selling a Business
- Performance Review Institute — NADCAP Program
- U.S. Department of State — DDTC ITAR Registration
- AE Industrial Partners — Aerospace Portfolio
- Liberty Hall Capital Partners — Aerospace Investment Strategy
- Arlington Capital Partners — Aerospace and Defense Portfolio
- HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI) — Investor Relations
- Aerospace Industries Association — Industry Reports
Related Guide: How to Sell an Aerospace Manufacturing Business — Step-by-step process: AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, customer LTAs.
Related Guide: How to Value a Manufacturing Business (2026) — EBITDA, SDE, multiple bands by sub-vertical and size.
Related Guide: Manufacturing Business Valuation Multiples by Sub-Vertical — Aerospace, medical device, precision machining ranges.
Related Guide: Private Equity Firms Buying Manufacturing in 2026 — Named PE platforms, aerospace specialists, recent deals.
Related Guide: Selling a Manufacturing Company to Private Equity — How LMM PE platforms underwrite, structure deals, and pay.
Related Guide: How to Sell a Precision Machining Business — 5-axis CNC, AS9100D, tight tolerances, multiples.
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