AAR began in 1951 as a vision and a venture, a small entrepreneurial enterprise providing equipment for the newly emerging commercial aviation industry. Today, AAR is a global provider of aviation services to commercial and government customers worldwide. The Company’s long history can be attributed to AAR’s innovative solutions, the entrepreneurial spirit of our people and our expertise in the aviation aftermarket. We commit every day to Doing It Right.
1955
Allen Aircraft Radio was founded by Ira A. Eichner to supply radio and other equipment to the fledgling commercial aviation industry is incorporated and moves to downtown Chicago.
1961
The Company raises equity capital for the first time, working with William Blair & Company, whose partner Edgar D. Janotta becomes AAR’s first outside director.
1962
Allen Aircraft Radio establishes an FAA repair station for avionics and instruments at its new location in Elk Grove Village, IL.
The Company expands internationally, opening the Allen Airmotive component repair facility in Amsterdam.
The Company goes public with an over-the-counter share price of $10, raising $1 million.
The Company acquires Mars Aircraft Radio component repair shop in New York. This, two other acquisitions in the early ’70s, and the Amsterdam shop will later become known as AAR Aircraft Component Services).
1969
The Company changes its name to AAR CORP.
1971
The Company acquires its first airframe maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) business at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1980
AAR CORP. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AIR). The Company has two secondary offerings of common stock in 1984 and 1986 to fund next growth phase.
AAR Mobility, acquired in 1981, provides rapid deployment equipment including pallets and containers.
David Storch moves AAR into the engine business, which is later named AAR’s Aircraft Turbine Center (ATC).
1982
The Company opens an office in Singapore to serve customers in the Asia-Pacific region.
1985
The Company enters the high technology F-15 and F-16 military aircraft component repair business, expanding its customer base to include the Dutch Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and NATO.
1986
The Company expands its repair portfolio by acquiring a landing gear overhaul and exchange facility in Miami.
1991
AAR Mobility Systems provides rapid deployment equipment for allied forces during Operation Desert Storm.
1993
The Company is listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange.
1996
David P. Storch becomes the second CEO in the Company’s history.
The Company moves its corporate headquarters and several of its major business units to a new 250,000 square foot facility in Wood Dale, Illinois.
The Company acquires ATR International, a manufacturer of specialty composite structures, and renames it AAR Composites.
The Company makes two acquisitions to expand into the new parts distribution business, adding select OEM product to its aftermarket network.
2000
Due to less commercial aviation demand and an increase in military aviation activity, the Company shifts to more contracts with U.S. military and its allies, including supply chain management for U.S. Navy helicopters, UK AWACs and the KC-10, as well as support for missions over Afghanistan.
2001
AAR Mobility Systems continues to grow as its products support troop movements in the Middle East in the wake of September 11.
2004
The Company leases over 1 million square foot world-class Indianapolis Maintenance Center featuring 10 hangars, designed for and formerly operated by United Airlines. Receives contracts from United, Southwest, Delta, and other airlines to conduct heavy maintenance on their fleets.
The Company establishes a landing gear repair facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
David P. Storch is named Chairman and CEO of AAR CORP.
2007
The Company acquires Brown International, a Huntsville, Alabama, defense contractor adding communications integration capabilities and renames it AAR Integrated Technologies (InTech).
2008
The Company acquires an MRO facility at Miami International Airport, with close proximity to its landing gear services facility and at an entry point for two continents.
2010
The Company adds expeditionary airline capability with the acquisition of Aviation Worldwide Services / Presidential Airways.
Under the direction of John M. Holmes, the Company acquires international component repair and warranty management provider Airinmar and leverages it to grow its component repair and flight-hour support businesses.
The Company acquires global cargo systems manufacturer Telair International and cargo container manufacturer Nordisk Aviation.
The Company opens a new 188,000 square-foot aircraft maintenance facility in Duluth, Minnesota.
Airlift named top contractor in Afghanistan and operates vertical replenishment for the U.S. Navy.
2013
The Company's MRO network becomes largest in Americas and third largest in the world with over 5 million man-hours worked.
The Company was chosen by AMMROC (Advanced Military Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center) to support the design, outfitting and integration of its state-of-the-art military MRO in the UAE.
The Company expands its supply chain services, including the acquisition of Sabena Technics in Brussels and establishment
of a new warehouse hub to serve EMEA, which leads to a surge in flight-hour component part and repair contracts outside the U.S.
2015
The Company is voted Top Airframe MRO Provider Worldwide by the industry.
The Company opens a new 238,000 square-foot aircraft maintenance facility with two 10-story hangar bays in Rockford, Illinois.
The Company acquires an aircraft paint stripping and washing business located at Miami International Airport.
The Company celebrates 50 years of Component Repair in Amsterdam.
The Company acquires two MRO facilities from Premier Aviation’s aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Canada – one at Trois-Rivières Airport in Québec and one at Windsor International Airport in Ontario.
The Company opens a parts warehouse in Shanghai. The new supply chain hub was established to expedite the delivery of crucial aircraft components to operators and MROs in China.
The Company opens a parts warehouse at Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport. The supply chain hub closes the gap between essential aircraft components and the growing list of commercial and regional carriers operating in the Middle East.
The Company receives its first work order from the U.S. Department of State and begins work on the transition phase of the Worldwide Aviation Support Services (WASS) contract.
The Company announces a joint venture with Indamer for a new MRO facility in India.
John M. Holmes becomes the third CEO in the Company's history.
The Company launches the EAGLE Pathway Program partnering with educational institutions to bolster the aviation maintenance talent pipeline.
2019
The Company starts utilizing drone technology for MRO aircraft inspections.
2020
The Company sets the standard for safety as the first independent third party MRO approved by the FAA for Safety Management System requirements.
2021
The Company launches its inaugural environmental, social and governance (ESG) report.