As a global supplier of spare parts for commercial aircraft, Sentry Aerospares often operates under pressure, dealing with demanding international clients, sometimes unstable markets, strained supply chains and critical payment deadlines. For nearly ten years, the UK-based company has relied on Coface to turn this pressure into a driver of its development, rather than a hindrance to its growth.
Grounded aircraft, extreme emergencies, no room for error: the high-pressure daily reality for AOG teams
Based in London and New York, Sentry Aerospares supplies rare spare parts – some of which are impossible to find elsewhere! – to key market players such as airlines, cargo operators and leasing companies worldwide. Founded in 2022 following the merger of Aerospares 2000 and Sentry Aerospace, though active in its market since 1975, the UK-based company counts renowned international clients such as Air France Industries, Iberia, Austrian Airlines, Air Europa and All Nippon Airways, one of Asia’s most prestigious airlines.
From its logistics centres strategically located close to the airports in London and New York, Sentry Aerospares serves 500 customers in 100 countries. The British company’s main strength lies in its AOG (Aircraft On Ground) team, which can be mobilised any day, at any time. In the aviation sector, an AOG situation incurs significant costs and requires rapid and high management level to get the aircraft back in the air.
Our job is to keep airplanes flying, even when the going gets tough. A grounded airplane means a significant loss of revenue for airlines,
says Martin Coleman, Chief Financial Officer at Sentry Aerospares.
Grounded aircraft, hard-to-source spare parts, and demanding international clients: watch the video to discover how Sentry Aerospares keeps its world open, balancing operational emergencies with meticulous commercial risk management.
From trade credit insurance to debt collection: embracing complexity with complete confidence
Supply chains under strain, demanding international customers, critical payment deadlines: for Sentry Aerospares, commercial risk may seem diffuse but is ever-present. It is a business where urgency reigns, and every order carries a significant degree of risk. Remaining open to global trade and growth opportunities therefore requires knowing precisely who you are selling to, and under what conditions.
A Coface client since 2017, Sentry Aerospares has built its relationship with the trade credit insurer over time, in line with one of the company’s core values: focusing on long-term partnerships. On a day-to-day basis, support is provided on several fronts:
- information to anticipate early warning signals of risk and better assess the financial health of its trading partners;
- trade credit insurance to protect against unpaid debts without hindering growth;
- and, when certain shipments exceed Coface’s risk appetite, the collection of uninsured debts.
For nearly 10 years, we have managed our commercial risks with our partner Coface:
- their business intelligence solutions alert us to risks in advance,
- their trade credit insurance solutions protect us from unpaid debts whilst supporting our growth
- and their third-party debt collection services enable us to address our unsecured exposures.
explains Martin Coleman, Chief Financial Officer at Sentry Aerospares.
'Today we are equipped to turn uncertainty into informed decisions'
At times, Coface’s experts may recommend limiting coverage in markets considered too risky. Rather than viewing these decisions as a barrier, Sentry Aerospares understands the reasoning behind them, reflecting the same relationship of trust it has built with its own customers.
With Coface by its side for around a decade, Sentry Aerospares has learned how to turn pressure into opportunities for growth and keep its world open to new markets. Today, managing commercial risk effectively is not about holding back. It is what enables the company to keep moving forward. By drawing on Coface’s in-depth market knowledge, Sentry Aerospares has been able to explore regions and engage with customers it might otherwise have approached with greater caution, or even avoided altogether.
This partnership helps us explore new markets, including the most complex ones, with greater confidence and boldness: today we are equipped to turn uncertainty into informed decisions.
That’s it, Keeping your World Open!
concludes Martin Coleman, Chief Financial Officer at Sentry Aerospares.
Keep your business moving forward:
- Stay informed with the latest economic insights, country risk analysis, and expert perspectives designed to help South African businesses navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Explore our latest insights.
- Learn how Coface South Africa's trade credit insurance, business information, and debt collection solutions can help you make smarter decisions.
- Assess your exposure to international credit risk for free: contact our experts in your country for a personalised demo