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Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is among the customer base of Evans Composites.
The changes at Evans Composites didn’t come with fanfare, but the results are generating it.
Some months after joining Coltala Aerospace, Evans Composites is emerging as a national leader in the repair and overhaul of aircraft composite structures, posting double-digit growth, expanding its workforce, and improving performance across key operational metrics.
The growth continues a trend that began more than a year ago, but thanks to Coltala’s signature approach to improving efficiency and productivity, the increase in business has taken on the feel of natural progression rather than being hit by a freight train.
Nick McDonald, vice president and GM of Evans Composites, admits he was “exhausted” at the end of last year keeping pace with the soaring demand of business in the Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas.
“But Coltala came in and provided the tools, and they've been amazing,” McDonald said. “You're always hesitant when new owners and investors come in, right? But what they've provided has really, really helped a lot. I have a very strong team. Everyone put their best foot forward, and we've been able to make some great changes this year that allow us to continue to grow.”
Founded in 2001, Evans Composites is an FAA, EASA, and ISO-certified Part 145 Repair Station specializing in corporate, commercial, and military aircraft components.
Coltala Holdings, based in Fort Worth, formed Coltala Aerospace in acquiring Aeroparts Group in February. Coltala Aerospace is Aeroparts’ three industry-leading businesses — APM and ACD Consulting, and Evans Composites. All three serve both commercial and military aerospace sectors.
Coltala Holdings was co-founded by Ralph Manning and Edward Crawford. The pair were Fort Worth Inc. Entrepreneur of Excellence Award winners in 2024. Coltala has built a reputation on its Coltala Enterprise System. CES, a framework built on Fortune 100 best practices and rooted in lean management principles, drives scalable growth while helping each business reach its full potential, according to the firm.
“Evans Composites has a long legacy of excellence in composite repair, and under the Coltala Aerospace platform, we’ve been able to further maximize its capabilities,” said Rick Armstrong, CEO of Coltala Aerospace. “By combining deep technical capability with Coltala’s disciplined operational model, we are now stronger, faster, and more strategically aligned to serve our partners in aerospace and defense.”
Under Coltala’s leadership, Evans Composites has implemented a series of operational improvements that have significantly enhanced performance and customer experience. One of the most notable achievements — in addition to a 55% increase in revenue for June 2025 compared to the same month last year — is a more than 30% reduction in delivery time, thanks to standardized procedures and refined workflow processes.
The company has also made strides in cross-division alignment, fostering greater collaboration and clarifying roles across business units. This organizational clarity has helped eliminate inefficiencies and promote unified execution across departments.
Data-driven decision-making has become central to operations, with real-time reporting tools now empowering leaders and team members at every level. In addition, customer communication has been strengthened through a new five-point system that keeps clients informed throughout the repair process, from intake to final delivery.
To support these advancements, Coltala Aerospace and Evans Composites have invested in infrastructure, introducing new tools and redesigning workspaces to promote sustainable growth and ensure regulatory compliance.
“The implementation of our run chart and the progress reflected in our customer scorecards support our upward trajectory,” said McDonald. “The future is bright for our team, our organization, and our customers.”
This becomes all the more relevant when considering the state and future of the industry.
A report by the Aerospace Industries Association showed that the U.S. aerospace and defense industry generated $995 billion in business activity in 2024, supporting 2.2 million jobs and contributing $443 billion in economic value, about 1.5% of U.S. GDP. The average annual income for an A&D job reached $115,000 per year in 2024 — 56% above the national average.
The U.S. A&D industry also continued to outperform other manufacturing sectors, registering a $73.9 billion trade surplus in 2024.
Moreover, the FAA has forecast 1.3 billion US air passengers annually by 2040, driving strong long-term demand for MRO capacity.
Evans Composites is positioned to continue to thrive.
Said Edward Crawford: “Evans has not only improved how it operates — it’s redefining what it means to serve aerospace and defense customers with precision, speed, and mission alignment.”