Aero Communications Expands with Acquisition of Mill City TEC

February 19, 2014

Aero Com- munications has acquired Mill City TEC, a provider of wireless network construction and maintenance services, expanding the company’s footprint and its telecom infrastructure services in the upper Midwest and enhancing its cell tower construction services for wireless network operators.

Mill City, headquartered near Minneapolis, supplies network construction services to wireless network operators, including civil, electrical, tower construction, cellular site audits, cellular network maintenance, technical support, and electrical construction, maintenance and design.

The purchase of Mill City is evidence of Aero Communications’ aggressive strategy to grow through acquisitions. It now employs more than 1,500 technicians, engineers, customer service and support personnel in 35 locations. Last August, it acquired Philadelphia-based CableNet Communications, a provider of installation and network services to broadband network operators. More acquisitions are on the horizon to add to its nationwide footprint.

Aero Communications is preparing for a massive increase in antennas installed on lampposts, telephone poles and other street furniture in urban, suburban and rural areas, according to Greg McCray, Aero Communications CEO. The growth of small cells will drive a big deployment of fiber into the network as well.

“We are planning big growth in our wireless business unit and outside plant business unit, which does the fiber deployment,” McCray said. “When we look at our acquisition strategy, we are looking for companies with experience in designing and engineering antenna deployment.”

Aero Communications provides outside plant construction for broadband network operators, as well as network engineering and construction services to wireless service providers, including engineering, design and construction of aerial and underground fiber backhaul, small cells and DAS.

“We are preparing to offer turnkey cell site solutions, including engineering, installation, fiber backhaul, PIM testing and maintenance,” McCray said.

Aero Communications was formed by Cleveland-based private equity firm Resilience Capital Partners in October 2012 when it purchased Advanced Communications. McCray became CEO in late summer last year.