Erickson S-64F Air-Crane on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
Erickson Incorporated is an American aerospace manufacturing and aviation service provider based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1971, it is known for producing and operating the
In 1992, Erickson Air-Crane purchased the type certification and manufacturing rights for the S-64 from Sikorsky. 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, which was delayed into 2012. 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. The company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for $250 million in March 2013. Erickson then bought Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petroleo's oil and gas unit, with the deal expected to be finalized in 2013.
The name of the company was changed to Erickson Inc. in February 2014. The following year the company reorganized into three business units: Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO.
The Evergreen purchase was financed partly with debt, and (together with challenging business conditions) caused Erickson to file for
Erickson website
{{Oregon Companies Helicopter manufacturers of the United States Firefighting equipment Companies based in Portland, Oregon Manufacturing companies established in 1971 Helicopter operators Logging Central Point, Oregon Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq 1971 establishments in Oregon American companies established in 1971 Privately held companies based in Oregon Aerial firefighting
S-64 Aircrane
The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civil version of the United States Army's CH-54 Tarhe. It is currently produced as the S-64 Aircrane by Erickson Inc.
Development Under Sikorsky
...
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. 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 ofColumbia Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters, Incorporated (CHI) is an aircraft manufacturing and operator company based in Aurora, Oregon, United States. It is known for operating tandem rotor helicopters; in present times, exclusively the CH-46 Sea Knight, Boeing Vert ...
to test the effectiveness of helicopters for logging. Following this test Erickson realized he would need a larger helicopter. He purchased three S-64 Skycranes from Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. It was established by aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923 and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use.
Pre ...
and founded Erickson Air-Crane in December 1971. He quickly expanded the business to include power line construction and firefighting. In 1973, Erickson began using Aircranes to replace HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HV ...
units on top of high-rises. 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.
In 1992, Erickson Air-Crane purchased the type certification and manufacturing rights for the S-64 from Sikorsky. 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, which was delayed into 2012. 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. The company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for $250 million in March 2013. Erickson then bought Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petroleo's oil and gas unit, with the deal expected to be finalized in 2013.
The name of the company was changed to Erickson Inc. in February 2014. The following year the company reorganized into three business units: Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO.
The Evergreen purchase was financed partly with debt, and (together with challenging business conditions) caused Erickson to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Such reorganization, known as Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is available to every business, whe ...
in November 2016 to reorganize while keeping the business running. During bankruptcy the company returned to private ownership and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017.
Erickson appointed government services veteran Doug Kitani
Doug Kitani is an American executive currently working as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for aerospace manufacturing and aviation service provider Erickson Inc.
Career
Kitani earned his BS degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Poin ...
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.
Heliport
The company owns Erickson Air-Crane Admin Offices Heliport , a private, 130 x 130 ft. (40 x 40 m) heliport.See also
* Aerial firefighting * Helitack *List of companies based in Oregon
This is a list of companies based in Oregon. Oregon is the ninth largest by area and the 27th most populous of the 50 United States. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Oregon in 2010 was $168.6 billion; it is the United States's 26th wealthies ...
References
External links
Erickson website
{{Oregon Companies Helicopter manufacturers of the United States Firefighting equipment Companies based in Portland, Oregon Manufacturing companies established in 1971 Helicopter operators Logging Central Point, Oregon Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq 1971 establishments in Oregon American companies established in 1971 Privately held companies based in Oregon Aerial firefighting