Eurocopter sets up fully-owned Subsidiary in the United Kingdom through Acquisition of McAlpine Helicopters Limited

Eurocopter UK Limited now fully integrated into Eurocopter Group

In line with its strategy to be a multi-local player with its own facilities in all its key markets, Eurocopter is pleased to announce the acquisition of all remaining shares 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 world’s leading helicopter manufacturer underlines its commitment to its significant market and customer base in the UK and Ireland.

Lutz Bertling, CEO of Eurocopter, stated, “We are proud to add a company as reputable and qualified as McAlpine Helicopters to our international network of currently 17 subsidiaries. The British Isles are one of our major markets in Europe and worldwide. By consolidating our resources and strength with McAlpine’s proven capabilities, we will be able to further extend our service and support to our civil and military customers in the UK and Ireland. It is our strategy to be a multi-local player with a worldwide exclusive sales and customer service network mainly through fully-owned subsidiaries, of which our new Eurocopter UK Limited has now become an integral part. ”

For the past 30 years, McAlpine Helicopters has achieved an exemplary performance in the distribution and support of Eurocopter products, with well over 200 helicopters sold. This success is attributable to the highly skilled workforce, its capacity to design, install, flight test and certify modifications tailored to the market requirements, and to deliver first-class 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 is confident in the ability of Eurocopter UK’s current management team and staff to 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.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52% percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30% percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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