Just one day after following the completion of its SH09 single-engine helicopter, Kopter has been acquired by Leonardo Helicopters for $185 million. The transaction will be concluded in the first quarter of 2020.
Founded in 2009 as Marenco SwissHelicopter and later rebranded as Kopter Group AG in 2018, Kopter is famous for its brand-new SH09 single-engine helicopter programme that has been launched to bring new capabilities and modern design to the civil market with the most cost/effective and versatile platform. The SH09 combines the latest available technologies and safety features, providing excellent performance at an affordable cost for a variety of applications.
One day after announcing the completion of its SH09 Design, as reported on AIN, Kopter has been entirely acquired by Leonardo a global hightech company among the top ten world players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. Through the acqisition, Leonarno seeks to strengthen its global presence. Kopter’s SH09 is a perfect fit for Leonardo’s state of the art product range, offering opportunities for future technological developments.
The company's competencies will boost future developments towards more disruptive technologies, mission capabilities and performances, including innovative hybrid/electrical propulsion solutions. Within the Helicopter Division of Leonardo, Kopter will act as an autonomous legal entity and competence centre working in coordination Leonardo.
The purchase price, on a cash and debt-free basis, consists of a $185 million fixed component plus an earn-out mechanism linked to certain milestones over the life of the programme, starting from 2022. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2020.
“Kopter is very excited to have won with Leonardo a solid industrial investor. Within Leonardo, we get the support to finalize our development on various fronts while keeping the ability to remain the agile single-engine pioneer that we are,” Kopter’s CEO Andreas Loewenstein.
“We are proud to welcome this innovative company as an integral part of our world-leading helicopter business. It complements perfectly our existing product portfolio adding a promising rotorcraft that will greatly benefit from our industrial know-how, service and training experience and commercial network”, said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director Leonardo Helicopters.
(Press release/ran)
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