Harris Williams & Co. Advises Ross Aviation on its Sale to Landmark Aviation

Aug. 1, 2014
Ross Aviation is a leading chain of fixed base operations (FBOs), with a network of 20 locations in major cities and resort destinations throughout the United States.

Richmond, VA, August 1, 2014 – Harris Williams & Co., a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide, announces that Ross Aviation has been acquired by Landmark Aviation, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. Ross Aviation is a leading chain of fixed base operations (FBOs), with a network of 20 locations in major cities and resort destinations throughout the United States. Harris Williams & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Ross Aviation, a portfolio company of Centre Partners Management LLC. The transaction was led by Chris Rogers, Jon Nemo, Doug Kinard and Chris Smith from Harris Williams & Co.’s Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADG) Group.

The sale of Ross Aviation represents another successful transaction for Harris Williams & Co. and will add to the ADG Group’s strong momentum and extensive track record within business aviation services, which includes five major FBO transactions.

“With six acquisitions in 2013 and an impressive organic growth profile, Ross Aviation is joining the Landmark platform with a unique portfolio of market leading FBOs and tremendous momentum,” said Chris Rogers, managing director in the firm’s ADG Group. “We are very excited for both Ross Aviation and Landmark Aviation and we look forward to the combined company’s continued growth and success.”

“Ross Aviation is a world-class FBO platform that has been strategically assembled through 22 acquisitions over the past decade,” said Doug Kinard, vice president in Harris Williams & Co.’s ADG Group. “This outcome is a testament to Ross Aviation’s multi-faceted growth strategy and many years of effective collaboration between Ross’s senior management and Centre Partners.”

“Business aviation plays a key role in our nation's economic interest and end market fundamentals continue to improve,” added Jon Nemo, managing director in the firm’s ADG Group. “This transaction highlights the resurgence of M&A activity that we are now seeing throughout this sector.”

Headquartered in Denver, CO, Ross Aviation operates a network of fixed base operations located throughout the U.S. The company provides aviation fueling, hangar and other line services to business and commercial aviation customers. Ross Aviation is a portfolio company of Centre Partners Management LLC.

Centre Partners, founded in 1986, is a leading private equity firm with a middle market focus that seeks to make acquisitions and equity investments alongside management teams who have or desire a meaningful economic stake in the future success of their businesses. The firm has offices in New York and Los Angeles. Centre Partners has invested over $3 billion in more than 90 transactions in partnership with management teams. Centre Partners provides those teams with access to its unique resources, which include an extended network of experienced and proven operating executives.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Landmark Aviation operates a network of fixed base operations located throughout the U.S., and in Canada and Western Europe. The Company offers a wide range of services, including FBO, MRO, charter and management. Landmark is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group.

Harris Williams & Co. (www.harriswilliams.com), a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:PNC), is a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide. The firm has deep industry knowledge, global transaction expertise and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Harris Williams & Co. provides sell-side and acquisition advisory, restructuring advisory, board advisory, private placements and capital markets advisory services.

Harris Williams & Co.’s ADG Group offers strategic advice to a global base of leading aerospace, defense and government services clients. For more information on the ADG Group and other recent transactions, visit the ADG Group's section of the Harris Williams & Co. website.

Investment banking services are provided by Harris Williams LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC and Harris Williams & Co. Ltd conduct business.