Eurocopter España has acquired an 80 percent stake in the new company Sabadell Helicopters Service Center (SHSC), which brings together the aircraft maintenance and repair activities of the Catalonian company TAF Helicopters SL. This platform positions Eurocopter as a leading provider of technical assistance and logistics support services for the Spanish helicopter sector.

Continuing with its strategy of industrial expansion in Spain, Eurocopter yesterday proceeded with the purchase of an 80 percent stake in the new company Sabadell Helicopters Service Center (SHSC). With an initial staff of 35 technicians based at Sabadell Airport, near Barcelona, SHSC will enable Eurocopter to provide direct, specialized support for all civil helicopter fleets.

There are currently more than 700 civil helicopters registered in Spain and this number has steadily increased over the last 20 years at an annual rate of 5 percent, with Eurocopter products accounting for 60 percent of the Spanish fleet. Eurocopter also aims to increase the turnover deriving from after-sales activities, which are expected to undergo similar growth in the medium and long term.

“This acquisition is an integral part of Eurocopter’s strategy of developing support and services activities” says Francisco Vergé, CEO of Eurocopter España. “The new logistics platform will enable us to respond to the support needs of the operators in a faster and more efficient way”.

The requirements of maintaining a diverse fleet and the peculiarities of the different missions pose ever increasing challenges for operators. With the creation of this new platform, the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer will assume direct support for these fleets, allowing companies to focus their attention on operating their aircraft.

“The establishment of SHSC is good news for all light helicopter operators,” says Eduardo Miralta, CEO of TAF Helicopters SL. “This new logistics platform will ensure that operators have more competitive fleets, safer helicopters, higher availability rates and reduced maintenance costs.”

SHSC plans to sign ad hoc agreements with operators to provide maintenance and airworthiness activities. In addition to providing optimum support for operators, the new company will also perform helicopter customization, modernization and retrofits.

EADS press release