French manufacturer Daher, producer of the TBM range of high-speed turbo-props, announced this week that it intends to buy US company Quest Aircraft.
The move will add the Kodiak 100 utility single-engined turbo-prop to Daher's product range.
"The Quest Aircraft Company’s acquisition represents an additional step in our development in the United States and an overall strengthening of our aircraft manufacturing business,” said Daher CEO Didier Kayat.
“In addition to making Daher the world’s seventh largest aircraft manufacturer in business aviation, it provides us with our first industrial site in the United States, thereby reinforcing Daher’s position as a Tier-1 aerospace equipment and systems manufacturer, as well as a logistics and services provider.
"This key acquisition for Daher is perfectly aligned with the strategy of intensifying our company’s links with the North American market’s leading aerospace players.”
The acquisition has been welcomed by Quest Aircraft CEO Robert Wells.
“The know-how of Quest and Daher opens the potential for rapid growth, with the combined operation becoming a key international player," Wells said. "Our teams share the values for craftsmanship and quality, as underscored by Quest’s motto: ‘Built by hand in Sandpoint, Idaho.’”
Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the Daher Aircraft Business Unit said there was synergy between the French and American manufacturers.
“The Kodiak 100 is an aviator’s aircraft, just like the members of our TBM family, and we are happy to bring together two communities of passionate pilots and operators with the acquisition of Quest,” he explained. “We also are particularly pleased to welcome the 240 employees based in Sandpoint, Idaho, to the Daher Group.”
Both companies believe the acquistion will be complete by the end of the year, subject to the approval of authorities in both countries.
Daher will exhibit the Quest Kodiak at the 2019 Paris Air Show, which begins on Monday.