Daher is taking a major step in developing the company’s airplane manufacturing business with the acquisition of Quest Aircraft Company, based in Sandpoint, Idaho, which builds the Kodiak 100.
With this acquisition, Daher strengthens two of its strategic pillars by reinforcing its aircraft manufacturing business and consolidating the company’s leading position in the turboprop segment by widening the product family and achieving a major milestone in the growth of its North American industrial and services operations.
Daher is enhancing its presence in the general and business aviation segment by offering a wider multi-product range. Already well known for its TBM 910 and TBM 940 very fast turboprop aircraft, Daher’s airplane portfolio has now expanded to include the Kodiak 100.
The Kodiak 100 is a 10-seat, unpressurized, entry-level aircraft in the single-engine turboprop category. Originally created for humanitarian missions in developing countries, the Kodiak 100 is an agile and robust aircraft, capable of operating on uneven and ultra-short runways. Certified in 67 countries, the Kodiak 100 is used worldwide by air taxi, recreational and leisure operators, along with businesses, pilot-owners and humanitarian organizations.
Didier Kayat, CEO at Daher, said,“The Quest Aircraft Company’s acquisition represents an additional step in our development in the US and an overall strengthening of our aircraft manufacturing business. 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.”
Robert Wells, CEO at Quest Aircraft Company, said, “The know-how of Quest and Daher opens the potential for rapid growth, with the combined operation becoming a key international player. Our teams share the values for craftsmanship and quality, as underscored by Quest’s motto: ‘Built by hand in Sandpoint, Idaho”.
