Ropes & Gray Advises Bridgepoint on Acquisition of SK AeroSafety Group, a Global Leader in Aviation Safety Component Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services

Ropes & Gray has advised Bridgepoint on the agreement of Bridgepoint Development Capital IV (“BDC” IV), a fund focused on investing in mid-market growth businesses, making a majority investment in SK AeroSafety Group, the global market leader in aviation safety component maintenance, repair and overhaul services (“MRO”).

Established in 2012, SK AeroSafety provides outsourced repair and maintenance services for critical flight safety products such as rafts, slides, oxygen cylinders, emergency beacons and fire extinguishers. The company operates from 14 locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and employs more than 340 people worldwide.

Bridgepoint estimates the global MRO market for aviation safety components is valued at €1bn and SK AeroSafety is well placed to capitalise on this large and growing market. The company has a track record of achieving robust and resilient financial performance, delivering consistent, long-term revenue growth and industry-leading profit margins.

The partnership builds on Bridgepoint’s growing track record and expertise in the aerospace and safety-critical testing sectors.

The team was led by private equity partner Helen Croke with support from partner Angela Becker, associates Padraic Daly, Nick Matthew, Brooke Carleen and Arvin Khodayari, trainees Alexandra Street and George Longworth, and paralegal Alexander Kelly.

Additional support was provided by partners Chris Agnoli and Elaine Murphy, and associate Benjamin Wonnacott (tax), partner Alex Robb, associates Jacob Bennett and Adjoa Kwarteng, and trainee Sandli Pandey (finance), trainee Tamsin Sahota (antitrust), associates SJ Tilden, Jamie Brosnan and Brandon Jiha (litigation & enforcement), associates Catherine Keeling and Christopher Foo (data, privacy & cybersecurity), counsel Christa Sanchez and associate Ashley Riley (executive compensation & benefits), and associates Abbey Shaw and Meredith Sterritt (private equity real estate).