LONDON – In an expansion of their Australian maintenance and after-market network, Bell has announced the acquisition of Eagle Copters Maintenance Pty Ltd (ECM) – a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility.
Eagle Copters is a current Bell customer service facility based on the Australian east coast.
The new acquisition will enable Bell to expand its footprint in the region, providing a higher level of personal presence in Australia as well as the nearby Asia-Pacific sector.
Chris Schaefer, director Support and Services for Bell said: “This acquisition enables us to provide local support and solutions to our customers in Australia and in Asia-Pacific.”
“We are confident ECM has the right portfolio of service offerings for competitive aftermarket support in the region. We are excited to have them join the Bell family.”
About Eagle Copters
ECM is based in Sydney, New South Wales, with facilities in Coffs Harbour and Redcliffe.
The company was first formed in 2013 when the Calgary, Canada-based company, Eagle Copters Ltd. Partnered with Australian company, Aero Assist to form Eagle Copters Australasia Pty. Ltd.
These companies bring in decades of experience in helicopter support and local knowledge to their customers. Over the past 40 years, the Eagle Copters group of companies have grown to be one of Bell’s top producing CSF network of facilities worldwide.
Speaking on the subject of the relationship, Grant Boyter, director ECM, said:
“We’ve always felt a part of the Bell team from being a CSF partner for more than six years. We have a positive and strong reputation in the region and provide dedicated support to our customer network.”
“The team is excited for this new journey with Bell and to continue bringing robust solutions in Australia and Asia-Pacific.”
As well as maintenance and overhaul functions, ECM have also been involved in role modifications and custom work for specialist operations.
Bell regional expansion
The recent Australian acquisition further augments Bell’s global presence in the maintenance and after-sales markets.
This time last year, Bell announced that RBI Hawker Australia, based in Brisbane, Queensland, had been appointed a Bell Customer Service Facility in Australia. RBI Hawker became the fifth Bell Customer Service Facility in country.
Based in Eagle Farm, Brisbane, RBI Hawker Australia, provide advanced helicopter rotor blade repair on all Bell helicopter models as well as the Leonardo AW139 and AW109 models.
Globally, Bell currently has 12 company-operated service centres providing aircraft maintenance, blade repairs, customizations, and more.
These centres are located in the Czech Republic, Singapore, United Kingdom, UAE, US, Canada, China and Australia.
The most recent acquisition of the Eagle Copters Maintenance facility further evidences Bell’s significant commitment and investment of interest in the Australian region.
