Eurocopter takes a 21% stake in COHC GAMEC to develop its service offer in China in opening an approved maintenance center in Shenzhen
Zhuhai, 07 November 2002
On Thursday, November 7, 2002, during the Zhuhai Air Show in China, Mr. Pu Jian, President of Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd (COHC), Mr. Bruno Boulnois, head of Eurocopter’s Customer Service in the Asia Pacific region, Mr. Li Jiang Nan, President of Samwell Aviation and Mr. Allan Brown, International Commercial Director of Bristow Helicopters Ltd have signed the agreement confirming the Eurocopter 21% participation to the capital of COHC GAMEC (COHC General Aviation Maintenance & Engineering Co.)
Eurocopter, the European world leader helicopter manufacturer becomes the second largest shareholder in the Shenzhen based maintenance company.
Following 25 years of active and benefic cooperation with Chinese Aeronautic Industries, Eurocopter there confirms its strong willingness to extend and strengthens its links with China.
Moreover, through this agreement, Eurocopter will provide the best ever offered proximity services to the benefit of the Chinese operators.
Created in July 2001, COHC GAMEC was previously a joint venture between:
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COHC (Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd.), the second largest helicopter operator in China, and the leader in off-shore operations with more than 60% of the Chinese market. COHC’s helicopter fleet mostly comprises of Eurocopter helicopters
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Samwell Aviation of Hong Kong, a distributor of helicopter products
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Bristow of England, a well-known helicopter offshore operator and key player in the helicopter maintenance market.
Eurocopter was invited by the initial shareholders of COHC GAMEC to bring its name, its quality and its expertise to this Joint Venture fully dedicated to helicopter support and maintenance.
According to the current partners of COHC GAMEC (COHC, Samwell and Bristow), the addition of Eurocopter to the capital structure, and its participation in the management of the joint venture will be a key success factor for the growth of the company.
Eurocopter will take a major part in the daily operations of the Company, and will appoint the Quality Manager, the Technical Manager and the Chief Financial Officer (Deputy) of COHC GAMEC.
To start with, COHC GAMEC will be recognized as the Eurocopter Approved Maintenance Center in China for the Super Puma, Dauphin and Ecureuil helicopter models.
Let’s underline that Eurocopter has already expressed its intent to make COHC GAMEC grow and widen the range of its services in China.
EADS is a global aerospace and defence company, and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues, having achieved €30.8 billion in 2001. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technologies, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. Its family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft maker Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; Astrium, the space company and MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. EADS has more than 70 facilities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. It is active in markets around the world, including the U.S. and Asia.
Web site: www.eurocopter.com
For more information, please contact:
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Jean Louis ESPES Head of Press & Information |
Tel.: +33 (0)442 85 95 55 Fax: +33 (0)442 85 95 64 |
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Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex France | |
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Christian GEANDREAU Area Sales Director for China |
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax: +49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 |
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Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 München |
