Communication and News
Meet The Family Behind A.C.E.®
Aircraft & Commercial Enterprises (A.C.E.®) is a small, woman-owned distributor headquartered in Derby, Kansas; just outside of Wichita, KS. Wichita, Kansas is the "air capital of the world" and A.C.E.® fits right in with its outstanding product selection. Our reach extends across North America, serving the Aerospace & Defense, Rail, Space, and Shipyard industries. With years of experience in these industries, our team has the knowledge and resources to source virtually any product our customers need.
Founded in 1984 by Jo & Grant Helmer, along with their son Mike, A.C.E.® started as a small operation in an office behind their home. In 1991, the company had grown enough to open an office in Rose Hill, Kansas, and over the years, A.C.E.® has relocated several times while remaining locally owned and operated in Derby. Today, Aircraft & Commercial Enterprises continues as a family-run business. Leadership is gradually transitioning to the next generation under Sam, Mike’s daughter, to carry forward the company’s vision while maintaining its woman-owned business status. If you look at our website, Sam will be the first person to greet you! Mike remains actively involved in day-to-day operations, working alongside Sam to ensure a seamless transition and continued growth.
Supported by an outstanding sales team across the U.S., A.C.E.® is positioned for a strong future while staying true to its family values and customer-first commitment.
A.C.E.® is focused on growth and expansion into 2027, with further developments happening within Derby, Kansas; strengthening themselves within their community roots.
Our specialties span a broad range of products and services, including the distribution of connectors, backshells, identification solutions, printers, & software, wire harness protection products, and more. We also provide custom solutions for armored land vehicles, communication equipment, space and missile applications, unmanned aircraft, and military aircraft.
Above all, A.C.E.® remains committed to delivering exceptional quality and prioritizing customer satisfaction, ensuring our clients receive reliable, innovative, and tailored solutions for their unique requirements.
“My grandpa used to work for a company who was getting rid of some parts —
they went under — and so he took over the parts and started selling those
off to other companies. Those parts were aircraft parts, so that’s kind of
how we started,” said A.C.E.® CEO Samantha Helmer, Mike’s daughter.