MAG Aerospace

Case Studies

MAG Aerospace’s International Contracts Soar through Virginia Export Program

Exploring Global Markets 

Founded in 2010, MAG Aerospace delivers manned aerial surveillance, unmanned aircraft systems, aviation training, and technical services to government and commercial customers around the world. MAG Aerospace has a global reputation for excellence in providing aerial surveillance and situational awareness services that make the world smaller, safer, and less uncertain. The Woodbridge-based company received the Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Award for Excellence in International Trade in 2016. 

When faced with the pressures of sequestration in 2012, MAG Aerospace turned to the global marketplace, which demonstrated increasing demand for the company’s capabilities. MAG recognized the opportunity to win longer-term international contracts, which would provide more certainty than intensely competitive and shorter-term U.S. Department of Defense contracts. 

VALET Program Drives International Growth 

In January 2014 MAG Aerospace accelerated its international efforts by joining VEDP’s flagship, two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, which assists companies in the Commonwealth that are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy. The VALET program offers export planning services and assistance from a team of experienced global service providers, including attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators, accountants, and freight forwarders who contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing export plans. 

Joining VALET was instrumental in MAG Aerospace’s international sales success by positioning us to win longer duration service contracts.

Joe Fluet CEO, MAG Aerospace

MAG Aerospace officials participated in more than a half dozen VEDP-sponsored trade missions and air shows, and during its two years in the VALET program, the company grew its international sales by an impressive 48 percent. Today, the company operates in 12 locations across five continents and has opened offices in South America, Dubai, Toronto, and Australia.

MAG Aerospace has many impressive accomplishments. However, the company’s most remarkable achievement is that it has expanded in both headcount and revenue every year since sequestration began. Through its international wins and acquisitions, the company has grown to over $200 million in annual revenue and quadrupled its headcount to more than 900 employees.

Explore More

Quore Logo

After Early Hiccups, Exporting Proves Lucrative for Qore Performance

With VEDP’s assistance, QPI has lined up active distributors in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia, and Australia, while shipping to other countries worldwide with confidence that its brand will be represented properly. The company is now looking to expand into the Middle East.

Reservoir Distillery logo

Reservoir Distillery Establishes Itself Down Under With Help from VEDP Trade Missions

Reservoir Distillery has manufactured craft bourbons, ryes, and other whiskeys from its Richmond facility since 2008. The company prides itself on locally sourcing its ingredients — all of the grains used in its spirits come from within 45 miles of the distillery, and every whiskey is crafted, aged, and bottled in-house.

Dilon Logo

International Sales Help Dilon Technologies Weather Domestic Downturn

The company joined VEDP’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program in 2020, helping its international sales grow by 300% — and the enhanced focus on exports came at a fortuitous time. Soon after Dilon began the program, the U.S. market went into a downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while international markets kept growing, helping protect the company from the ups and downs of the domestic market.