Leonardo concluded the acquisition of the Swiss company Kopter Group AG by the Lynwood group (Schweiz). The operation had already been announced at the end January.
For the purchase price, on a cash free/debt free basis, includes a fixed part which was confirmed at altitude 185 million dollars, More a variable part (i.e. an earn-out mechanism) linked to precise targets that refer to the progress of the program starting from 2022.
“The acquisition of Kopter – reads a note from the Italian group led by Alessandro Profumo – allows Leonardo to further strengthen its world leadership and its position in the helicopter sector, in line with the objectives of the business plan".
Operating mainly in Switzerland, Kopter was born in 2009 and was initially called "Marenco Swiss Helicopter", acquiring its current name only in 2018. Its flagship products include the SH09 helicopter, which, according to Leonardo, "combines the most modern features in terms of technology and safety, offering excellent performance at competitive costs for various applications".
With this acquisition, the Italian defense group "will benefit from innovation - continues the note - new industrial capabilities and engineering skills developed by a young and dynamic company. The new Kopter SH09 single-engine helicopter fits perfectly into Leonardo's modern product range, offering opportunities for future further technological developments".
In particular, in terms of synergies, the product "will take advantage of Leonardo's industrial know-how - concludes the note - of its experience in the field of services and training and of its commercial network, allowing at the same time to increase its presence on the market. The skills of the Swiss company will allow to accelerate the development of revolutionary technologies, new mission capabilities and greater performance including solutions for hybrid/electric propulsion”.
Notwithstanding the acquisition, Kopter will act as an autonomous legal entity and will perform the role of competence center within the Helicopters Division, in close coordination with Leonardo.
