Eurocopter expands into UK
Eurocopter has announced the acquisition of McAlpine Helicopters Limited as of November 1, 2007. Eurocopter previously held 10 per cent in the British company which now becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Limited. Through this investment, the Eurocopter achieves a significant market and customer base in the UK and Ireland.
For the past 30 years, McAlpine Helicopters distributed and support of Eurocopter products, with well over 200 helicopters sold. McAlpine Helicopters has capacity to design, install, flight test and certify modifications tailored to the market requirements, and to deliver support for a very sizeable helicopter fleet. The company presently employs 169 staff.
Today, Eurocopter’s market share in the UK and Ireland is 73% in the police and law enforcement segment, 73% in the EMS market and 50% in the commercial/private segment. Eurocopter fully acknowledges Kenneth McAlpine’s visionary contribution to this success and to aviation in general during his 60 years of involvement in the industry.
The expansion plan envisaged for Eurocopter UK Ltd. will aim at increasing the UK content of services, both in the civil and military markets, which in turn will provide development opportunities for its staff.
Eurocopter UK’s current management team and staff will continue to run the company and its future expansion, and therefore does not envisage to change the present team or the existing facilities in Oxford.