International Aerospace Coatings Holdings LP (“International Aerospace Coatings” or “IAC”), announced today that Niall Cunningham, founder and CEO of Eirtech Aviation, has also been appointed CEO of International Aerospace Coatings, which was established earlier this year following a merger between three leading aviation service providers in the US and Europe.

International Aerospace Coatings comprises Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. (“Leading Edge”); Associated Painters, Inc. and Eirtech Aviation.

Vance Street Capital, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced the formation of International Aerospace Coatings in August, creating one of the world’s leading providers of services to the aviation industry, including exterior and interior aircraft painting, aircraft refurbishment and graphics together with a range of specialist services. IAC provides these services to many of the world’s largest commercial airlines, in addition to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer), VIP aircraft, aviation leasing companies and the military.

Niall Cunningham has over 20 years experience in the aviation sector. Having started with Trans Aer in 1993, Cunningham joined Shannon Aircraft Refinishing in 1997 as Managing Director and maintained this role during the company’s transition to a Lufthansa Technik (LHT) Company in 1999. In 2009 he led a management buyout of LHT Shannon, which saw the company rebrand under the Eirtech Aviation banner and extend into new territories including Dublin, the Czech Republic and Italy.

Brian Martin, principal at Vance Street Capital said, “Niall is one of the most experienced CEOs in the aviation sector and has exceptional insight that is matched by his vision for the new group. This is an appointment that cements the company’s position in the market place, poising it for future growth under the stewardship of a strong leader who is well known on both sides of the Atlantic.”

International Aerospace Coatings employs over 800 people across Europe, North America and the UAE. With a combined total of 16 paint hangars and 33 paint lines, the company completes over 1,000 aircraft annually and strong growth is expected for 2015 as the company continues to expand its capabilities, locations and customer base.

Niall Cunningham said, “Aviation is in my DNA, so it is with huge excitement and enthusiasm that I take on this new role. I’m confident that all of our customers will benefit from the combined experience and expertise of the newly merged company and that our enhanced capabilities and multiple hangar locations will offer extensive levels of choice, together with cost-saving and time-efficient options.”

Whilst Leading Edge, Associated Painters and Eirtech will continue to operate under their respective brand names, Mr Cunningham will lead the development and implementation of the group’s overall strategy and direction.