Engineering and transport group BBA has taken a further step in building up its regional aviation services business by buying UK aero engine overhaul operation H+S Aviation.
Last year, H+S says, it repaired more than 700 engines and 800 propellers, largely for the regional and general aviation markets. Its financial figures show sales of around £32 million ($52 million), with profits of close to £4 million.
For the past 10 years, the company has overhauled Pratt &Whitney Canada PW100 turboprop and PT6T turboshaft engines, but that business will now go back to the engine manufacturer in a side deal. In exchange, H+S will become an official centre for the company's PW901 auxiliary power unit(APU) for the Boeing 747-400.
H+S plans to open a new APU overhaul centre in July, after agreeing with AlliedSignal to act as an official repair centre for its 36 series.
BBA is acquiring H+S for £29.5 million, including settlement of a loan, from its previous parent Vector Industries.
The company adds that, following some major USacquisitions, including the Dallas Airmotive engine repair operation and Signature Flight Support (the USA's largest fixed base operator), around one-third of its $1.6 billion annual turnover is in aviation. Dallas has also now been appointed as a PW100 official overhaul centre.
Source: Flight International
