Neelam Mathews
Feb 17, 2013
Feb 17, 2013
Air Works India Engineering Pvt Ltd. (Air Works) is
continuing its acquisition spree. It has acquired Aero Technique Espace (ATE) a
French aircraft painting company, AerospaceDiary learns.
This move is sure to strengthen Air Works’ market
position as a provider of painting services to the European commercial and
military aircraft market. It acquired Air Livery recently.
Air Works can be assured of long-term contracts as ATE is
a well established paint application company, painting new aircraft for Airbus
and ATR at its facilities in Chateauroux and Toulouse in southern France. The
company, which employs around 150 people, is a recognized brand within its
target market and as is AWs policy, will continue to retain the “ATE” brand name
post acquisition.
Christian Lalane, who has now taken over as the Managing
Director, ATE, said: “The recent modernization of the complete Chateauroux site
now offers a state-of-the-art, environmentally compliant wide body and narrow
body aircraft facility for our customers. Our capabilities include 2 x A330/340
bays, 1 x A320/757, 1 X ATR/Challenger bay at Chateauroux and 2 x A320, 1 X ATR
at Toulouse.”
Julian Duffen, Managing Director of Air Livery said: “Having
worked as a partner with ATE for fifteen years the acquisition was the next
natural evolution in our relationship. Robert Wasilewski, the previous owner,
will remain in an advisory position through the transition phase to help
integrate ATE seamlessly into the Air Livery network”
Vivek N Gour, Managing Director, Air Works, “ATE is a
strategic acquisition for Air Works. It will provide Air Livery not only access
to world class hangar facilities in Europe, but also add green aircraft
painting to its portfolio of services. ATE is a qualified vendor for green
aircraft painting for Airbus and ATR. We hope to further develop on these
relationships and increase our service footprint with both OEMs”
Paul Woods, Sales and Marketing Director Air Works and
Air Livery added: “Air Livery and ATE will develop Chateauroux as a strategic
location for both green aircraft painting and repainting services. Chateauroux
is well placed centrally in France offering many European and North African
customers an ideal location reducing ferry costs and downtime.”
Air
Works has funded this acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and equity
from existing shareholders.
ReplyDeleteAbhijit Choudhury (Sales & Business Development Manager (MRO, Products and Services) at SPS Middle East LLC)-
"Airworks is really filling up the domain of aircraft painting, which was left vacant for quite sometime. Now we would have to wait and watch how much is it catering to the subcontinent region. All the best to the Menons, Mr. Gaur and Mr. Woods."
Abhijit- I might be wrong, but the company seems to be positioning itself as an international firm. Not much can be done in India until the govt seriously looks at its tax structure throttling the industry. A simple case of lost opportunity for India!
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