Aircraft, Marine & Railroad Transportation Equipment Wholesalers

The 2,070 aircraft, marine, and railroad transportation equipment wholesalers act as middlemen between original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and customers, which include carriers, manufacturers, repair and maintenance facilities, the U.S. military, government organizations, dealers, and retailers. Wholesalers are integral to transportation equipment supply chains, which can involve the movement of millions of parts and components.

Dependence on Government Support

Government contracts can account for a significant percentage of sales for some aircraft and marine equipment wholesale companies.

Legacy Aircraft Create Aftermarket Opportunities

As customers extend the life of aircraft that may have otherwise been retired, MRO operators are increasingly turning to aftermarket parts.

Aug 25, 2026 - Higher Gas Prices Give Public Transit a Boost

• Commuters are giving public transit another look due to high gas prices, which could eventually translate into stronger equipment demand for the wholesalers that supply transit agencies. Ridership has climbed in several major markets as gasoline prices rose above $4.50 nationally this spring, with San Diego transit ridership up 6.5% year over year in March and San Francisco’s Muni posting its highest ridership since the pandemic, according to Grist. Sustained ridership gains can put more wear on buses, railcars, and related systems, supporting demand for replacement parts, maintenance equipment, and eventually new vehicles. Agencies are also under pressure to modernize aging fleets, creating opportunities for wholesalers that distribute vehicles, components, and other transit equipment. The bigger opportunity comes if higher ridership sticks and pushes agencies to expand service and accelerate fleet replacement.
• Aircraft engine costs have become a major challenge for airlines, according to aviation finance firm Avalon. Limited competition among manufacturers, shortages of fuel-efficient engines, and strong demand for new aircraft have driven prices sharply higher. Avolon estimates that engines now account for up to 80% of a new aircraft’s value, up from 20-30% two decades ago. Aviation analytics data from Cirium shows that leasing two Pratt & Whitney engines in early 2025 cost $400,000 per month, compared with $306,000 to lease an entire A320neo. Bloomberg also reported that industry supply chain disruptions cost airlines at least $11 billion in 2025. Airlines say reliability issues with newer engines are forcing more unscheduled maintenance, eroding the fuel savings these engines were designed to deliver and increasing operating costs while demand for new aircraft remains strong.
• Airline equipment wholesaling is being reshaped by supply shortages and a booming aftermarket, as airlines struggle to secure new aircraft and components. Global aircraft backlogs now exceed 17,000 units, with delivery shortfalls of more than 5,000 aircraft, per a report published by Safe Fly Aero, forcing carriers to keep older fleets in service longer and increasing demand for replacement parts. At the same time, supply chain disruptions are costing airlines over $11 billion annually through higher maintenance expenses and excess inventory, according to the International Air Transport Association. In this environment, wholesalers are becoming critical intermediaries - sourcing scarce components, managing inventory, supporting MRO providers - while shifting away from new equipment sales in favor of higher-margin aftermarket and logistics services.
• The White House’s new Maritime Action Plan lays out proposals to revive US shipbuilding, including new fees on cargo arriving on foreign-built vessels and incentives meant to spur private investment, but offers few details on timing and would require Congress to act on most measures. The plan is intended to signal federal commitment to rebuilding domestic shipyards after decades of decline that have left the US producing less than 1% of the world’s commercial ships. It calls for tools such as maritime prosperity zones and a Maritime Security Trust Fund to help finance new construction and related programs, while supporters in Congress argue it could build momentum for the SHIPS for America Act, which would fund shipbuilding and expand the US-flagged fleet. Industry observers warned, however, that the plan’s impact will depend on follow-through in future budgets and whether lawmakers move quickly enough to turn the proposals into law.

Industry size & Structure

The average aircraft, marine, and railroad equipment wholesaler employs about 16 workers and generates $21 million annually.

• The aircraft, marine, and railroad equipment wholesale industry consists of about 2,070 firms that employ 33,650 workers and generate $45 billion annually.
• The industry is concentrated with the top 50 companies accounting for more than 70% of industry revenue.
• Large companies with aircraft, marine, and railroad equipment wholesaling operations include First Aviation Services, Dynatech International (ISO Group), Proponent, West Marine Pro, Land ‘n Sea (Brunswick), Progress Rail (Caterpillar), Railserve (Marmon Holdings), and Bridgewell Resources.
• Large companies often have international operations.