An end-of-life aircraft services provider with a base in St Athan has a new investor.

Baird Capital's private equity team announced it has sold its investment in ecube Solutions Limited to Unical Aviation Inc, an Arizona-based aftermarket parts supplier to the global aerospace industry.

Ecube, which has locations in St Athan, Arizona, and Castellon, Spain, has grown to become the world's leading end-of-life aircraft service provider.

It has a reputation for service excellence and supporting circular economy demands through the reuse and recycling of critical components.

Baird Capital invested in ecube in 2020 and supported the company in recruiting a new leadership team to enable the retirement of the founders, establishing a US footprint through the development of a new site in Arizona, and diversifying into complementary service capabilities.

Lee McConnellogue joined ecube as CEO in 2022 and will continue to lead the business under Unical’s ownership.

Mr McConnellogue said: "Baird Capital have been a fantastic partner to ecube over the last four years.

"Their support and collaboration have been instrumental to driving ecube’s tremendous growth in the US and we always enjoyed a great alignment around culture and values.

"Unical is already an important partner to ecube, and we are excited about what’s to come as a combined entity, with our customers, partners and people at the very centre of our exciting growth plans."

James Benfield, of Baird Capital, said: "We are proud to have played a part in growing ecube into the global market leader in end-of-life aircraft services.

"Working with Lee and the whole team at ecube has been a fantastic partnership founded on shared ambition, respect and values, and we are excited to see what they go on to achieve next."

Baird Capital was advised by Kroll (M&A Advisor) and Eversheds Sutherland (Legal).