EADS Socata has sold its German subsidiary to a new UK/German joint venture equally owned by Air Touring and Rheinland Air Services. The sale will allow the French aircraft manufacturer to focus on the North American market.
"The operation of a German subsidiary no longer matched our marketing strategy. In North America we have established a strong network of distributors and achieved significant sales results," Socata says.
The Siegerland, Frankfurt-based offshoot was called Rallye Deutschland until its takeover by Socata in the 1980s. It has since become the sales and marketing arm for EADS Socata in Germany and Austria and provides product support, maintenance and parts distribution for Europe's largest manufacturer of piston and turboprop aircraft.
Biggin Hill-based Air Touring, parent of Socata distributor for UK and Ireland Air Touring Services, will be responsible for the sales and marketing of the rebranded Socata Deutschland. Düsseldorf-headquartered fixed-base operator Rheinland will handle administration and finance for the new company.
"Through the purchase of Socata we have expanded our sales region and spread our [investment] risk. As the market in one country comes down, another goes up. The deal will also give us more buying power with the factory in [Tarbes] France," says Air Touring managing director, Michael Pearce.
This influence with EADS Socata could be used in the coming year as Air Touring subsidiary Air Touring Management (ATM) ramps up its European fractional leasing operation. "We began operations last year and took delivery of the first two TBM700s last month," says ATM managing director Al Tahry.
The company is planning to take delivery of two more aircraft by the end of May. "Turboprops have become a serious business tool as they are cost-effective, safe and flexible. The single-engined TBM700 covers a 1,500nm [2,775km] radius which makes it an ideal aircraft for a leasing programme," Pearce adds.
Under the Biggin Hill-based scheme, customers lease the aircraft for a minimum of 60 days or 120h a year for around £8,000 ($13,000). On top of this, customers provide and pay for pilotage, fuel "and other variable costs", says Tahry.
Source: Flight International
