The MRO Americas 2025 conference, hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, brought together top minds in the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. Among the many dynamic conversations, a particularly promising exchange took place between Bridgette Smith, Director of Technical Services at Aero Direct, and Brian Schwam of WTP Advisors.
A Meeting of Minds in Aviation Innovation
Aero Direct, headquartered at 860 Chaddick Drive, Wheeling, IL, is widely respected for its innovative technical services and commitment to excellence in aviation support. During their meeting on the exhibit floor, Brian introduced Bridgette to WTP Advisors’ specialized services in Transfer Pricing and Interest Charge-Domestic International Sales Corporation (IC-DISC) strategies.
With Aero Direct’s growing international footprint, the discussion focused on how strategic tax planning can fuel technical innovation while ensuring global compliance.
Unlocking Value Through Transfer Pricing
As Bridgette outlined the challenges of managing cross-border transactions, Brian explained how Transfer Pricing offers a structured way to handle intercompany transactions in a compliant, tax-efficient manner. He emphasized WTP’s ability to perform in-depth analyses to establish arm’s-length pricing—ensuring profits are properly allocated across jurisdictions and tax risks are minimized.
Bridgette responded enthusiastically, recognizing the potential to reinvest those savings into R&D, equipment upgrades, and operational capacity—key areas for Aero Direct’s continued growth and competitive edge.
IC-DISC: A Hidden Gem for Exporters Like Aero Direct
The conversation soon shifted to the IC-DISC, a powerful but often overlooked tax incentive for U.S.-based exporters. Aero Direct, with its strong export profile in aviation components and technical services, is an ideal candidate for IC-DISC benefits.
Brian outlined how WTP Advisors could structure an IC-DISC to allow for federal income tax deferral on export income, significantly improving cash flow. Bridgette was particularly intrigued by the idea of redirecting these tax savings into capital investments and R&D initiatives—both critical to Aero Direct’s forward momentum.
A Shared Vision for Strategic Growth
Beyond tax compliance and financial optimization, the discussion reflected a deeper alignment in values and vision. Bridgette shared Aero Direct’s long-term goals of expanding their service capabilities and global reach. Brian, in turn, highlighted WTP Advisors’ proven track record of helping other MRO firms use Transfer Pricing and IC-DISC tools to scale profitably and sustainably.
This collaborative spirit underscored the broader mission of MRO Americas—to foster strategic partnerships that drive the aviation industry forward.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Partnership
The encounter with Bridgette Smith at MRO Americas 2025 was a standout moment, marking the beginning of what could become a powerful partnership. WTP Advisors looks forward to continuing the dialogue with Aero Direct, exploring how tailored financial strategies can support their ambitions in the MRO sector.
As companies like Aero Direct lead the way in technical service excellence, WTP Advisors is ready to provide the financial insight, compliance expertise, and tax planning tools to match that innovation.
Learn More
Interested in how Transfer Pricing and IC-DISC could work for your business?
👉 Visit www.wtpadvisors.com to explore how WTP Advisors crafts customized tax strategies for the MRO and aviation industry.