Hartzell Engine Tech, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired the assets of Kelly Aero, a manufacturer of aftermarket aircraft magnetos, replacement parts, and ignition harnesses for general aviation and military applications.
With the acquisition, Hartzell Engine Tech adds manufacturing capabilities for aircraft ignition products to its existing lines of engineered, firewall forward, engine accessories, said Hartzell Engine Tech President Keith Bagley.
Beginning in early 2024 — and after a technical evaluation and receipt of PMA approval — Hartzell Engine Tech will rebrand the newly acquired products as PowerUp Ignition Systems.
PowerUp Ignition Systems will be the largest operation in Hartzell Engine Tech’s product portfolio, joining Janitrol Aero, Fuelcraft, Plane-Power, Sky-Tec, and AeroForce Turbocharger Systems, according to company officials.
Hartzell Engine Tech is incorporating the PowerUp Ignition Systems production within its main manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. Hartzell Engine Tech total employment will increase by about 40 employees as a result of the acquisition.
Kelly Aero’s former Montgomery facility will be used to expand the capacity of Hartzell Engine Tech’s existing machine shop, company officials noted.
Customer direct magneto service work will be accomplished at Quality Aircraft Accessories, Hartzell Engine Tech’s sister company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
For more information: Hartzell.aero
Is it only me that believes Hartzell is becoming a conglomerate, building and holding a monopoly on avaition?
It’s part of a large private holding company;
“Tailwind Technologies Inc is an integral part of investment holdings by brothers James W. Brown III and Joseph Brown.”
see; https://www.tailwindtechnologiesinc.com/company-history/
It looks like a private US company. But no info on where the investment capital come from.??
I hate to see this. Lost confidence with Quality Aircraft Accessories some time ago. Kelly was a wonderful company to deal with and I hope the new guys don’t…mess it up.
QAA rebuilt both of my mags to ‘zero’ time for a much lower cost than Kelly would do a an overhaul. Sad to see all this consolidation.!