OakNorth has participated in a club loan to support Sun European Partners LLP in its acquisition of B&H Worldwide, a leading specialist in time-critical logistics for the global aviation and aerospace industry. This financing will fuel B&H’s next phase of growth, including a robust M&A program and global platform investment.
Mission-critical logistics in a growing sector
Founded in 1988, B&H Worldwide is a vital link in the aerospace supply chain. The company provides specialized services to airlines, OEMs, and maintenance providers (MROs). Its expertise is centered on Aircraft on Ground (AOG) logistics—highly time-sensitive shipments where the rapid delivery of replacement parts is critical to minimize aircraft downtime.
The transaction comes at a pivotal time for the aviation sector:
- Fleet growth: Global aircraft fleets are projected to double by 2042.
- Retirement cycle: Approximately 800 aircraft are expected to retire or face teardown over the next decade.
- Specialist demand: These structural shifts are significantly increasing the demand for niche, aero-focused logistics and parts management.
Strategic partnership with Sun European Partners
Sun European Partners, a leading global private equity firm, plans to leverage B&H’s differentiated market position to accelerate value creation. The firm will focus on “buy & build” growth strategies within the fragmented specialty logistics market.
Gabriel Danielachvili, Principal at Sun European Partners, highlighted the collaboration:
“OakNorth demonstrated a strong understanding of private equity-backed transactions and moved quickly when needed. Their flexible, solutions-oriented approach made them a valuable partner in delivering this transaction, and we look forward to future collaborations.”
Stuart Blair, Senior Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added:
“B&H Worldwide has built an excellent reputation in a niche segment that benefits from strong structural demand. We are delighted to support Sun European Partners on this acquisition and back the business as it continues to expand its global footprint.”
