Tue, 12 Aug 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Aerolux Limited, an aerospace engineering business based in Blackpool, has been acquired by Italian industrial conglomerate Zoppas Industries. Aerolux specialises in the design and manufacture of galley insert equipment for first and business class cabins of commercial aircraft, military planes, helicopters and trains.
Its product range includes a wide variety of coffee and beverage makers, refrigerators and freezers, ovens, wine chillers, skillets, toasters, water boilers, rail assembly and rice cookers.
The company was formed in 1988 by aerospace engineer Ken Metcalfe and is now owned by his daughter, Jane Robinson, who took ownership of the firm 12 years ago. Since Robinson assumed ownership, Aerolux has grown and modernised its product range and expanded its customer base.
The firm’s customer base now includes a number of the world’s leading airline and aircraft manufacturers, including Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Lufthansa, Bombardier, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Embraer and Gulfstream.
The company operates with a team of approximately 40 staff and exports its products to customers worldwide. In addition, Aerolux also provides emergency ‘AOG’ repair and maintenance services for its customers’ galley equipment.
Aerolux has now been acquired by Zoppas Industries, a major manufacturer of products utilising heating element technologies. Headquartered in Vittorio Veneto, Treviso, Zoppas Industries is a family-owned industrial conglomerate which has 15 factories situated across Europe, Asia, South America and the USA, employing around 8,000 staff.
Jane Robinson commented: “Zoppas are the ideal new owner for Aerolux. There is a great cultural match, despite the size difference. I’m confident Zoppas will maximise Aerolux’s potential, which is huge, and provide the team here with tremendous opportunities to develop and grow personally.”
Aerolux was advised on the deal by Jeremy Cole of Cole Associates, while Robert Dobson and Craig Whittingham of Napthens Solicitors provided legal advice to Jane Robinson.
Robinson said that Jeremy Cole’s advice throughout the sale process “was invaluable in keeping me informed, grounded and my best interests protected.”
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