Verified Nov 2026
Metal Fabrication
·
South Saint Paul, Minnesota
·
Since 1960
Wipaire is a family-owned American aircraft manufacturer and repair company headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1960, it has an estimated 100 to 200 employees and an estimated annual revenue of $10 to $50 million. The company makes aircraft floats, including the Wipline Floats and the Fire Boss aerial firefighting system, and serves the automotive, industrial equipment, and aerospace industries. It holds AS9100 and Nadcap certifications.
Wipaire at a glance
Revenue
$10-50M
Est. band
Employees
100-200
Founded
1960
Headquarters
South Saint Paul, Minnesota
Certifications
AS9100 · Nadcap
Import activity
6
Industries
Automotive
Industrial Equipment
Aerospace
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
6
Named foreign suppliers
6
Top origins
Belgium · Australia · Sri Lanka · Spain
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Wipaire.
What this tells a buyer
Wipaire's most recent reported development is the 2026 announcement that it is hiring for manufacturing positions at its South Saint Paul location.
The company offers Wipline Floats, aircraft skis, STC kits for performance upgrades, and maintenance and avionics installation services, and it holds AS9100 and Nadcap certifications.
Wipaire is privately held and reports over 65 years of experience in float engineering and manufacturing, with its float products supporting models such as the Piper Cub and Viking Twin Otter.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & active
66 years in operation (founded 1960).
Holds AS9100, Nadcap certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Wipaire is a family-owned American aircraft manufacturer and repair company headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1960, it has an estimated 100 to 200 employees and an estimated annual revenue of $10 to $50 million. The company makes aircraft floats, including the Wipline Floats and the Fire Boss aerial firefighting system, and serves the automotive, industrial equipment, and aerospace industries. It holds AS9100 and Nadcap certifications.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1960 |
Headquarters | South Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Employees | 100-200 |
Revenue | $10-50M (estimated) |
Primary capability | Metal Fabrication |
Certifications | AS9100 · Nadcap |
What Wipaire makes
The company offers Wipline Floats, aircraft skis, STC kits for performance upgrades, and maintenance and avionics installation services, and it holds AS9100 and Nadcap certifications.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Assembly, Transmission, Aluminum, Gear, Interior (source: wipaire.com).
Certifications
Wipaire is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
AS9100 — airframer.com
Nadcap — airframer.com
Trade and customs footprint
Wipaire's most recent reported development is the 2026 announcement that it is hiring for manufacturing positions at its South Saint Paul location. US customs bill-of-lading records list 6 inbound shipments across 6 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Belgium · Australia · Sri Lanka · Spain.
Latest developments
2026-09-17 — Wipaire is hiring for manufacturing positions in South St. Paul, Minnesota. We are hiring for manufacturing positions. Join the team creating the best floats in the world. | Wipaire (linkedin.com)
2026-08-14 — Visionary Behind Wipaire Floats and Fire Boss Air Tractor Remembered (flyingmag.com)
2025-10-20 — Wipaire reshared Fire Boss: 🔥 Great catching up with the Air Tractor Europe leadership team! Huge thanks for their continued partnership and dedication — especially coming off a busy 2025 fire season. Grateful for the chance … (linkedin.com)
2025-10-15 — Wipaire and Hartzell’s Yukon Propeller Gains Further Global Certification - Plane + Pilot (planeandpilotmag.com)
2025-10-15 — Wipaire reshared Fire Boss: 🚨 Exciting milestone in aerial firefighting! 🚨 (linkedin.com)
2025-09-26 — Wipaire Celebrates 200th Fire Boss Delivery (flyingmag.com)
Company details
Wipaire is privately held and reports over 65 years of experience in float engineering and manufacturing, with its float products supporting models such as the Piper Cub and Viking Twin Otter. Wipaire was founded in 1960, has an estimated 100-200 employees, and is headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & active": 66 years in operation (founded 1960). Holds AS9100, Nadcap certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Wipaire make?
Wipaire is a family-owned American aircraft manufacturer and repair company headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1960, it has an estimated 100 to 200 employees and an estimated annual revenue of $10 to $50 million. The company makes aircraft floats, including the Wipline Floats and the Fire Boss aerial firefighting system, and serves the automotive, industrial equipment, and aerospace industries. It holds AS9100 and Nadcap certifications.
Where is Wipaire headquartered?
Wipaire is headquartered in South Saint Paul, Minnesota (1700 Henry Ave, South Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55075).
When was Wipaire founded?
Wipaire was founded in 1960.
How big is Wipaire?
Wipaire has an estimated 100-200 employees, with revenue in the $10-50M range (estimated).
What certifications does Wipaire hold?
Wipaire lists AS9100 · Nadcap on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
Does Wipaire import from overseas suppliers?
US customs bill-of-lading records show 6 inbound shipments for Wipaire, with top origins including Belgium · Australia · Sri Lanka · Spain.
Related suppliers
Explore other suppliers in the LightSource directory:
Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
Location & contact
Evaluating suppliers like these?
This profile comes from a public-data sample of around 1,000 companies. Book a demo to see the full LightSource marketplace and supplier discovery platform — 1M+ credible suppliers, with AI-run sourcing events.