Safety & Compliance Concern Changes Hands

Portside, a leading innovator in technology and software solutions for business and government aviation, acquired Baldwin Safety & Compliance. This strategic move was aimed at augmenting Portside’s comprehensive suite of tools and technology that empower nearly one-thousand aviation organizations in more than thirty countries.

The transaction was facilitated by Baldwin’s exclusive selling agent AvStrategies, the business brokerage arm of Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO), which has matched investors with aviation companies since 2006.  BRiFO founder Brian Foley commented: “This is a perfect example of combining a top-shelf aviation software (SaaS) company with a prolific and respected business aviation investor to provide mutual value and chemistry.”

Baldwin, established in 2004, specializes in designing and implementing robust safety management systems (SMS) for operations of all scales. They also offer vital business capabilities to sustain, extend, and provide steadfast support for these systems.

Foley notes there has been robust acquisition activity in the aviation Software as a Service (SaaS) space of firms such as Baldwin. “Investors like the predictable subscription revenue aspect of these types of companies, which they combine (roll up) with other SaaS acquisitions resulting in a more valuable software suite of solutions. There’s a way to market a SaaS company in language investors expect and are intrigued by.”

AvStrategies LLC, based in the New York metro area, specializes in bringing together smaller, often-family owned, aviation businesses with industry investors. Brian Foley, who founded AvStrategies and affiliate Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) in 2006, maintains contacts throughout the industry as an independent market analyst and former executive at Boeing, Dassault Falcon Jet, and a Wall Street financial firm.

FMI: www.brifo.com