Oceania Aviation merges companies, expands composite manufacturing capabilities

Oceania Aviation (Auckland, New Zealand) has finalized a strategic agreement with both Aero Composites Ltd. (Hamilton, New Zealand) and Aero Design Ltd. (Hamilton, New Zealand). Under the agreement, Oceania Aviation has purchased the manufacturing equipment of Aero Composites, which will facilitate Oceania’s Part 148 division to set up a new composites production facility in its Ardmore, Auckland base. Aero Design’s Daniel Retief has also joined the Oceania team as the company’s new composites production lead to set up the transfer of technology, capability and assets from Aero Composites to Oceania Aviation, which will facilitate the rollout of its new production capabilities.

Under a new license agreement, Oceania Aviation will manufacture and market the products designed by Aero Design. Aero Composites will concentrate on product development, prototyping and certification to support Aero Design in bringing new products to the aerospace industry, as well as improving on existing composite products, all of which Oceania Aviation will manufacture from the company’s new production facilities.

Oceania Aviation’s Chief Executive Greg Edmonds says that this partnership is a significant opportunity for all three businesses involved and will provide Oceania Aviation the means to significantly expand on its composite capabilities. Edmonds adds that the partnership will also complement the growth of Oceania’s Blade Repair & Overhaul division, which provides repair projects for composite helicopter blades as well as other composite structure repairs.

Aero Design’s chief design engineer, Dan Retief, adds that the partnership is good news for customers, as Aero Design will be able to continue to provide the most cost-effective design, certification and mod development services while leveraging Oceania Aviation’s manufacturing capabilities for efficient production.