Technology and software company Portside has acquired Baldwin Safety & Compliance in order to augment its comprehensive suite of tools and technology that empower nearly 1,000 aviation organisations in more than 30 countries.

Baldwin, established in 2004, specialises in designing and implementing robust safety management systems (SMS) for operations of all scales. It also offers vital business capabilities to sustain, extend and provide steadfast support for these systems.

“Safety is the foremost concern for any aviation provider and Baldwin is an undisputed leader in this space," says Portside CEO Alek Vernitsky. "It excels not only in terms of delivering safety and compliance programmes that adhere to the highest industry standards, but also in tailoring and supporting these programmes to meet the ever-evolving needs of its clients. This acquisition enhances Portside's capabilities, aligning with our mission to be a comprehensive, turn-key solution for business and government aviation. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to growing our platform alongside the businesses we serve.”

Baldwin's SMS expertise extends to various transportation operations including FBOs, MRO groups, commercial providers, UAS, airports and air medical transport operations. It also offers services such as risk management, document management, gap analysis, quality management systems and various other business-related solutions to further bolster its clientele. Baldwin's products, coupled with its in-house subject matter experts, are instrumental in keeping operators compliant with industry SMS regulations and readying organisations for impending regulations, such as those proposed in FAA's Notice of Proposed Rule making (NPRM) 88 FR 1932, which will mandate SMS for commuter and on demand operations, commercial air tour operators, and certain holders under Part 21.

Baldwin founder Don Baldwin says: “We founded Baldwin with the belief that small operators should have access to the same tools and capabilities enjoyed by larger providers when fostering a culture of safety. Today, our products are trusted by operators both big and small, with the most critical and fundamental aspects of their businesses. Portside shares our commitment to customer service, and we eagerly anticipate becoming a part of its team as we continue to uphold our leading role in safety and compliance.”

The entire Baldwin team will join Portside to ensure ongoing development and support for its products and services. While the specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed, this move aligns with Portside's recent pattern of enhancements and integrations for its platform. In July, the company acquired licensing and development rights for the Avianis flight management system, for which Wheels Up retains the intellectual property. Earlier this year, it acquired Stellar Lab's flight operations system hosting business, as in January it took over the BART scheduling product suite through the acquisition of SeaGil Software. Earlier still, in October 2022, it acquired Professional Flight Management (PFM), a US scheduling and dispatch software platform for corporate flight departments.