Erickson Inc. Explained

Erickson Incorporated
Trade Name:Erickson
Former Name:Erickson Air-Crane
Type:Private
Industry:Aviation
Foundation:Central Point, Oregon, United States
Founder:Jack Erickson
Location City:Medford, Oregon
Locations:8 facilities (2014)
Key People:Barry Kohler, CEO
Products:Helicopter manufacturer and operator
Services:Manufacturer and operator of the S-64 Air Crane(R) Helicopter
Location Country:United States of America

Erickson Incorporated is an American aerospace manufacturing and aviation service provider based in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] Founded in 1971, it is known for producing and operating the S-64 Aircrane helicopter, which is used in aerial firefighting and other heavy-lift operations. Erickson Incorporated operates globally and has a fleet of 69 rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft including 20 S-64s.[2] The company was known as Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated until 2014. Erickson's main facility is located in the Southern Oregon community of Central Point.

History

In 1969, Jack Erickson leased a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter from Wes Lematta of Columbia Helicopters to test the effectiveness of helicopters for logging.[3] Following this test Erickson realized he would need a larger helicopter. He purchased three S-64 Skycranes from Sikorsky Aircraft and founded Erickson Air-Crane in December 1971.[4] He quickly expanded the business to include power line construction and firefighting. In 1973, Erickson began using Aircranes to replace HVAC units on top of high-rises.[4] The following year Erickson invented the anti-rotation device which stabilizes loads and provided for great performance and agility. This new technology allowed the company to begin building power line towers.[4]

In 1992, Erickson Air-Crane purchased the type certification and manufacturing rights for the S-64 from Sikorsky.[4] Since that time, Erickson Air-Crane has become the manufacturer and world's largest operator of S-64 Aircranes and has made over 1,350 improvements to the airframe, instrumentation, and payload capabilities of the helicopter.

In 2007, Erickson was sold to ZM Private Equity Fund, who in 2009 moved the company's headquarters to Portland. Then a privately held company, Erickson announced plans to go public in 2010,[5] [6] which was delayed into 2012.[7] On April 11, 2012, the company completed an initial public offering and began trading on the NASDAQ market, with ZM Private Equity Fund retaining ownership of 63% of the company.[8] The company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for $250 million in March 2013.[9] Erickson then bought Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petroleo's oil and gas unit, with the deal expected to be finalized in 2013.[10] [11]

The name of the company was changed to Erickson Inc. in February 2014.[12] The following year the company reorganized into three business units: Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO.[4]

The Evergreen purchase was financed partly with debt, and (together with challenging business conditions) caused Erickson to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2016 to reorganize while keeping the business running.[13] During bankruptcy the company returned to private ownership and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017.[14]

Erickson appointed government services veteran Doug Kitani as CEO and Director August 31, 2017. He was previously CEO and director of government services firm IAP Worldwide Services. He has also worked in private investment and general management for Honeywell and General Electric.[15] [16] [17]

Heliport

The company owns Erickson Air-Crane Admin Offices Heliport, a private, 130 x 130 ft. (40 x 40 m) heliport.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Erickson Incorporated. Erickson. 27 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Erickson About . Erickson. 28 October 2019.
  3. News: Gill. Holly. Jack Erickson builds extraordinary life around two passions: aircraft and logging. 28 October 2019. The Madras Pioneer. August 24, 2018.
  4. Web site: Erickson Incorporated History. Erickson. 27 October 2019.
  5. News: Siemers. Erik. Erickson Air-Crane sets IPO price range of $13 to $15. 4 February 2012. Portland Business Journal. January 30, 2012.
  6. News: Siemers. Erik. Report: Erickson Air-Crane IPO delayed. 4 February 2012. Portland Business Journal. February 3, 2012.
  7. News: Siemers. Erik. Erickson Air-Crane, for second time, issues IPO price range. March 21, 2012. Portland Business Journal. March 21, 2012.
  8. News: Siemers. Erik. IPO drought ends, Oregon yawns. April 11, 2012. Portland Business Journal. April 11, 2012.
  9. News: Erickson Air-Crane Announces Definitive Purchase Agreement for Air Amazonia Aerial Services Business. Feb 21, 2016. July 22, 2013.
  10. News: Stevens. Suzanne. Erickson Air-Crane to acquire oil and gas assets of HRT. 8 March 2013. Portland Business Journal. November 7, 2012.
  11. News: Stevens. Suzanne. Erickson Air to pay up to $75M for HRT aerial services unit. 8 March 2013. Portland Business Journal. March 7, 2013.
  12. News: Kish. Matthew. A new name for Erickson Air-Crane Inc.. 27 February 2014. Portland Business Journal. February 26, 2014.
  13. Web site: Erickson Incorporated files Chapter 11. November 9, 2016. November 10, 2016.
  14. News: Manning. Jeff. Leaner, privately held Erickson emerges from bankruptcy. 16 May 2017. OregonLive.com. May 16, 2017.
  15. News: Erickson Appoints New Chief Executive Officer. August 31, 2017.
  16. News: Erickson Hires Former IAP Chief as New CEO. Lynch. Kerry. September 5, 2017. Aviation International News. en.
  17. News: IAP, DynCorp Vet Doug Kitani Joins Erickson as CEO - GovCon Wire. Nicholas. Scott. September 1, 2017. GovCon Wire. 2017-10-02. en-US.