ITP Aero inaugurates its new advanced manufacturing centre on the Zamudio/Derio Campus of the Basque Country Technology Park in the presence of Pedro Sánchez and Imanol Pradales

With an investment of 24 million euros, ITP Aero promotes aviation and reinforces its commitment to technological development and employment with the inauguration of the ADMIRE centre

The company, majority owned by Bain Capital, has achieved significant growth in recent years thanks, among other factors, to the dynamism of commercial aviation, which accounts for more than 70% of its business

The new advanced manufacturing centre will enable research into highly complex technologies, respond to new propulsion challenges and execute efficient solutions, in line with ITP Aero’s commitment to more sustainable aviation

ITP Aero, a world leader in aerospace propulsion, and majority owned by Bain Capital, today inaugurated its ADMIRE (Advanced Manufacturing Aerospace Center), which will accelerate the company’s transformation towards a more sustainable aeronautics and where more than 150 highly qualified professionals will work. The company has invested 24 million euros in this new centre, located at ITP Aero’s headquarters on the Zamudio/Derio Campus of the BAsque Country Technology Park, which will allow research into new materials, develop new highly complex parts and boost repairs, offering solutions that will enable it to tackle the accelerated growth of commercial aviation and the new needs of the FCAS.

The inauguration was attended by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, the Lehendakari of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales, as well as other authorities and business leaders from the industrial world.

Eva Azoulay, CEO of the ITP Aero Group, commented that ‘the inauguration of this centre demonstrates our commitment to more sustainable aviation, at a time when commercial aviation, our company’s main growth driver, is in great need of new technological solutions to meet the demand for engines in the future. ADMIRE will be a driving force for employment and industry in the Basque Country. We will continue working to promote Spain as a leading country in the global aeronautical industry’.

Ivano Sessa, Co-Head of Private Equity Europe at Bain Capital, said: ‘Bain Capital supports ITP Aero in its determination to become a global leader in the sector, with a firm commitment to technology, innovation and the growth of the industrial fabric. ITP Aero’s growth is remarkable and at this rate it will soon be one of the largest companies in the sector. ITP Aero has managed to capitalise on the dynamism of commercial aviation, and we are confident that it will continue to lead this market with flexible and efficient solutions’.

Since the arrival of Bain Capital in 2022, ITP Aero has invested more than 235 million euros, with a record industrial and technological investment plan that positions the company as an industrial giant in commercial aviation, including the acquisition of BP Aero, a leading supplier of aftermarket services for aircraft engines located in Dallas, USA, as well as a new foundry plant and a new logistics centre in the production centre of Querétaro, Mexico, in addition to significant investments in the company’s plants in Bizkaia (Barakaldo, Derio and Zamudio).

Record growth thanks to commercial aviation

Coinciding with its 35th anniversary, ITP Aero is going through a period of significant growth, driven by the dynamism of the commercial aviation sector, which currently accounts for 70% of its business. This growth is the result of ITP Aero’s excellent positioning in the commercial aviation market and inorganic growth driven by its ability to expand its services and client portfolio as a result of being an independent company, thanks to its consortium of shareholders.

This growth has enabled a solid increase of up to 1,200 employees in its workforce in the last two years, since the entry of Bain Capital, and now totals 5,700 people worldwide. ITP Aero is currently a technology partner in 40% of the commercial aircraft engines delivered annually, resulting in more than 5,000 engines currently in service. ITP Aero powers six aircraft take-offs per minute worldwide.

By 2025, ITP Aero will remain committed to its growth strategy, which will include organic investments and one-off M&A actions, in order to strengthen its global presence and positioning in the commercial MRO (aftermarket) market.

More innovation in 2025

One of the main axes of ITP Aero’s investment plan is innovation, which includes the opening of ADMIRE. The new facility will play a key role in the search for more sustainable aircraft engine solutions through sustainable fuel (SAF), hybridisation and hydrogen. In addition, the centre will address propulsion challenges for new defence platforms, and enable more efficient manufacturing processes.

Specifically, ADMIRE will focus on four key technologies:

1. Additive manufacturing (3D Printing).
2. Advanced casting.
3. Advanced repair and welding, a key factor for sustainability, reducing waste in original equipment manufacturing and extending the service life of components in service.
4. Industry 4.0. Implementation of machine learning and AI for complete process optimisation.