This website uses cookies
More information

See more information from the Business Air News Handbook

Satys Air Livery

Press Release

Issued by Satys Air Livery.

January 28, 2008

Air Livery Plc acquires competitor Sprayavia International Limited in a deal financed by RBS

Aircraft refinishing company Air Livery Plc have acquired Sprayavia Limited in a move that firmly positions the company as the largest independent operator for repainting and refinishing the exterior of aircraft in Europe. The acquisition has been funded by The Royal Bank of Scotland ("RBS").

Air Livery is an established aircraft refinishing company with extensive experience in aircraft repainting, interior repair and refurbishment. The company refinishes in the region of 200 aircraft per year from its operating sites across the UK – Southend, Filton in Bristol, East Midlands Airport and Cambridge. Contracts are held with major airline operators including Alitalia, Aer Lingus, Easyjet, Swiss International and Virgin Atlantic. The company has also recently won a substantial contract with Emirates Airlines to refinish a number of aircraft within their current fleet.

Sprayavia are based at Norwich International Airport from where they operate three modern fully extracted temperature and humidity controlled facilities for aircraft up to Boeing 757 size. Again operating within the aircraft refinishing market, Sprayavia work with a number of European operators. As a combined entity the new group which will trade under the name Air Livery Plc is looking to combine operational capabilities to further grow the enlarged company's position within the European marketplace as well as looking to make further inroads within the Corporate and VIP aircraft market in the US, Russia and the Middle East. The head office of the new company will be based in Norwich.

RBS provided debt and extended working capital facilities to support the acquisition as well as delivering additional headroom to support the ongoing operations of the larger company. RBS were introduced to the transaction by MacIntyre Hudson who advised the company on the acquisition.

Speaking of the benefits of the deal and the opportunities it presents Air Livery, Managing Director Adrian Tucker said:

"The opportunity to purchase Sprayavia made perfect business sense to the board as it allows us to consolidate our position within the European marketplace but more importantly opens up contact with aircraft operators we were not previously in active dialogue with. The extra operational capacity that this brings to the company allows us to pursue opportunities with larger fleet operators and diversify our revenue stream. We are now concentrating on bringing the two operations together whilst ensuring we remain committed to delivering the best level of service to our extended customer base. RBS impressed us with their professionalism and rapid response to the opportunity we were presented with."

Steve Harper, Associated Director, Structured Debt Solutions at RBS added:

"This acquisition reaffirms Air Livery as the leading operator within the European marketplace whilst also providing an excellent financial platform from which to pursue further contracts and establish the brand in new markets."