With America back in the space business, Coltala Aerospace, a Texas-based aerospace group backed by Fort Worth-based Coltala Holdings, has its own plans to grow its already considerable aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul business.
Coltala announced on April 14 that it has appointed 30-year industry veteran Phil Bathurst as president of Coltala Aerospace to build a group focused on mission-critical services supporting commercial and defense aviation.
“The aviation aftermarket is entering one of the most important growth cycles in decades,” Bathurst said. “Airlines are flying aircraft longer, systems are becoming more complex, and the industry needs organizations that can deliver reliable, high-quality maintenance and engineering capabilities.”
According to Grand View Research, the global aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul market size was estimated at $90.85 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $120.96 billion by 2030.
Bathurst most recently served as CEO at Aspire MRO, a Fortress Investment Group-backed maintenance, repair and overhaul aviation company started in Fort Worth to support the Boeing B777 P2F modifications. Aspire MRO grew from 30 employees to over 500 employees in a three-year period adding new capabilities along the way.
Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with major aerospace maintenance operations and technology organizations. He began his career installing avionics equipment on small aircraft before rising through the ranks of the aviation industry to lead large technical teams and complex aircraft maintenance operations.
Bathurst said he was attracted to Coltala Aerospace and the organization’s vision to build an aerospace group grounded in operational excellence and strong culture.
Ralph Manning, co-founder and co-CEO of Coltala Holdings, said Bathurst’s leadership experience makes him a natural fit for the company’s next phase of growth.
“Phil understands how to scale aerospace operations while maintaining the discipline and culture required in this industry,” Manning said.
Edward Crawford, co-founder of Coltala Holdings and Coltala Aerospace, said Bathurst stood out from other candidates.
“Phil stood out for not only his experience building these companies, but he knows these businesses from the shop floor to the boardroom,” said Crawford. “At either place, shop floor or boardroom, he can show up ready to rock.”
Bathurst will work closely with leaders across the Coltala Aerospace companies, including Nick McDonald, leader of Evans Composites in Mansfield, and Michael Campbell, leader of AeroParts Machining in Mansfield and ACD Consulting in Dallas, Crawford said.
Crawford said Coltala Aerospace is expecting to grow in the Dallas-Fort Worth area due to the region being a hub for the aerospace industry with a highly educated workforce.
“There was a reason Gov. (Greg) Abbott named Fort Worth the aviation and defense capital of the state,” he said.
Bathurst said many qualified technicians are in the area as well as a network of smaller support shops that can handle specialized work.
Crawford said Coltala Aerospace will look for acquisitions, particularly for founder-led companies looking for an exit strategy or a partner to grow their business.
“That can be a perfect fit for us,” he said.
Crawford, a former U.S. naval intelligence officer and co-founder of the Sentinel Defense Forum, an organization focused on the business of aerospace, defense and national security, said Coltala Aerospace is focused on building long-term aerospace capability while strengthening America’s industrial base.
“Building aerospace companies that support national capability and create American jobs is both a mission and an honor.”
Bob Francis is business editor at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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