Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Private-equity investment firm Golden Gate Capital recently acquired ground service equipment manufacturer Tronair from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Under the deal, Tronair remains headquartered in Holland, Ohio, and continues to be led by its current senior management team, including president and CEO Harley Kaplan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 


Founded in 1971, Tronair designs, manufactures and sells ground support equipment for business, commercial and military aircraft. The company’s products are used on more than 300 unique aircraft platforms by OEMs, FBOs, MROs, corporate operators, airlines, defense contractors and military air&nbsp;bases. Its thousands of products include towbars, towbarless tugs, wheel chocks, aircraft jacks, lavatory servicing carts, external air conditioning systems for aircraft, ground power units and aircraft tooling.

 


“Tronair has successfully differentiated itself through best-in-class engineering capabilities and a collaborative customer approach, resulting in solutions that support safe and efficient aircraft ground operations. We are excited to partner with Tronair management as the company continues to execute its strategy to build the industry’s leading ground support equipment platform,” said Rajeev Amara, managing director at Golden Gate Capital. “Our investment demonstrates our commitment to partnering with high-quality aerospace and capital equipment businesses to turbocharge their growth.”

 


According to Kaplan, “With Golden Gate Capital’s operational expertise and financial support, we will be well positioned to bolster our market-leading position while continuing to deliver high-quality products and leading customer service.”

Aircraft GSE Firm Tronair Sold To Golden Gate Capital

Its products include towbars, towbarless tugs, wheel chocks, aircraft jacks, lavatory servicing carts, ground power units and aircraft tooling.

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