Global Aerospace MRO Boom Highlights Crucial Role of Metal Finishing – and UK Firm Midland Deburr & Finish is Ready for Lift-Off

As global air travel surges beyond pre-pandemic levels and commercial airlines scramble to maintain aging fleets, the aerospace industry's attention has turned sharply toward maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. With new aircraft deliveries lagging and retirement rates at historic lows, MRO operations are experiencing unprecedented demand — and behind the scenes, metal finishing is playing a crucial, if often overlooked, role in keeping critical components safe, compliant, and flight-ready.

One company on the frontline of this shift is Midland Deburr & Finish, a specialist subcontractor based in Lye, Stourbridge. Under the leadership of Managing Director Chris Arrowsmith, the firm has built a reputation as a go-to partner for high-quality metal deburring processes — including vibratory deburring, tumbling, and vibro deburring — which are essential for maintaining the integrity and performance of aerospace components.

“There’s no margin for error in aerospace,” Arrowsmith says. “Whether it’s a newly milled titanium bracket for a jet engine or a critical aluminium component being overhauled, the finish has to be perfect. That’s where our processes come in.”

With airlines extending the service life of aircraft and parts often undergoing multiple MRO cycles before retirement, the importance of finishing has grown exponentially. According to McKinsey’s 2024 aerospace outlook, global MRO spending is set to rise steadily to around $135 billion by 2034, fuelled initially by maintenance needs on older fleets and eventually by broader fleet expansion. While newer aircraft may require fewer maintenance interventions over time, the current landscape tells a different story: tens of thousands of metallic parts still flowing through the global supply chain every day, each needing precise, repeatable finishing.

Midland Deburr & Finish’s core service, vibratory deburring, has become a workhorse in aerospace finishing. The process involves placing components into a vibrating bowl filled with media — often ceramic or plastic shapes — and a compound solution. The vibration causes the media to rub against the components, gently removing burrs and refining surfaces. It’s a method that balances consistency with efficiency, a combination critical for parts that must meet strict fatigue and dimensional tolerances.

“Vibratory deburring is ideal for aerospace parts because it’s consistent, scalable, and allows for close process control,” Arrowsmith explains. “We’ve spent years fine-tuning our equipment and chemistry to deliver repeatable results — which is exactly what aerospace primes and MROs need.”

While vibratory systems handle the bulk of aerospace components, tumbling still has a place in the toolkit, especially for delicate or oddly shaped parts. In tumbling, components rotate in a barrel with abrasive media, offering a gentler action that suits specific geometries. Though it’s one of the oldest finishing techniques, tumbling has evolved significantly. Today’s systems are digitally controlled, media-optimised, and capable of producing fine finishes that meet stringent aerospace requirements.

“It’s still the go-to for some geometries,” says Arrowsmith. “Especially when you want a softer action or are finishing parts that don’t lend themselves to vibratory motion. A lot of people are surprised by just how advanced tumbling has become.”

At the intersection of these two processes lies vibro deburring — often used interchangeably but in practice referring to any vibration-assisted finishing process that improves part surfaces and edges. With airlines pushing for faster turnaround times and MROs under pressure to deliver, vibro deburring is prized for its speed and repeatability.

“Speed matters more than ever,” Arrowsmith notes. “When a grounded aircraft is costing tens of thousands a day, any delay is expensive. Vibro deburring lets us process parts quickly without compromising quality — and that’s a big win for the MRO sector.”

As OEMs struggle with supply chain constraints and ramp-up timelines for next-generation aircraft, small and medium-sized enterprises like Midland Deburr & Finish are proving invaluable to the broader aerospace ecosystem. Their flexibility, technical focus, and proximity to UK aerospace hubs make them ideal partners for Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers facing capacity crunches or accreditation requirements. With capabilities in process validation, traceability, and media recycling, the company meets the standards expected by NADCAP-accredited and AS9100-certified customers alike.

“We’re seeing more demand from companies who’ve traditionally done their deburring in-house,” says Arrowsmith. “But as the pressure ramps up, they’re realising the value of working with experts who do this day in, day out.”

While much of the conversation around MRO focuses on engines, avionics, and airframes, the finishing of metal components is a vital quality gate — one that has a direct impact on safety, performance, and part longevity. In a sector where even a microscopic burr can lead to premature fatigue or failure, the role of companies like Midland Deburr & Finish cannot be overstated.

“The MRO boom is exciting, but it’s not just about volume — it’s about precision,” Arrowsmith concludes. “We don’t just smooth parts. We make sure they’re safe, compliant, and ready to fly.”

As the global commercial fleet expands by more than three percent annually over the next decade and next-gen aircraft continue to enter service, the need for expert, adaptable finishing partners will only grow. For Midland Deburr & Finish, the aerospace sector’s current turbulence may well mark the beginning of its most productive — and high-flying — chapter yet.