DART Aerospace has acquired Simplex Aerospace of Portland, Oregon, which focuses on the manufacturing and certification of mission equipment for aerial firefighting. The company has served thousands of operators and OEMs worldwide over a 73-year history. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
The newly combined entity, which will transition into operating under the DART brand, will now have more than 320 employees in eight locations worldwide, including four manufacturing centres.
DART’s acquisition of Simplex Aerospace will also allow the Canadian-based mission equipment manufacturer to broaden and diversify its firefighting product portfolio. DART explains the purchase will allow it to offer several new product categories to its global network of OEMs and helicopter operators, including firefighting belly tanks, aerial cleaning supplies and agricultural spray systems.
“With the support of Simplex’s 200+ international product certifications and its years of experience in the aerial firefighting sector, DART will strengthen its global leadership position by providing helicopter mission equipment for offshore, firefighting and utility applications, as well as an increased portfolio alongside our current product offering of 900-plus STCs,” said Alain Madore, president and CEO, DART Aerospace.
Mark Zimmerman has led Simplex over the past 18 years as CEO. “Together, our unique STC portfolio and complementary product lines will enable us to achieve revenue synergies and expand our reach across the aerial firefighting sector worldwide,” he said.
As an industry pioneer, Simplex introduced the first aluminum centrifugal pump designed for aerial applications in 1946. Today, Simplex focuses on a range of design and manufacturing systems from high-strength, low-weight composite materials to produce cost-effective airborne systems.
