Surack Enterprises purchases Enstrom
US helicopter manufacturer Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has been purchased by the Indiana-based Surack Enterprises, following Enstrom’s declaration of bankruptcy in December 2021
Following the acquisition, Surack Enterprises stated that its ‘immediate goal will be to continue supporting pilots who already own an Enstrom helicopter, by providing parts and support.’
In the longer-term, the company plans to begin building helicopters again, and is planning to ‘improve and update the Enstrom helicopter fleet’.
The company joins other Surack Enterprises brands, including fixed-wing charter flight, training, and rental firm Sweet Aviation and its helicopter-based equivalent Sweet Helicopters; Aviation Specialty Insurance, which provides specialist insurance for the aviation industry.
Chuck Surack, founder of Surack Enterprises, as well as online musical equipment retailer Sweetwater Sound, announced the acquisition in a letter to Enstrom’s leadership team.
Surack said, “I am excited to have purchased this outstanding company that manufactures helicopters here in the United States and employs workers right here in the Midwest.”
Alternative bidder MidTex failed to secure funding
AirMed&Rescue previously reported in March 2022 that MidTex Aviation was planning to buy the company, having entered into an asset purchase agreement with Enstrom to incorporate it as a subsidiary.
However, according to Matt Francour, President and CEO of Enstrom, MidTex Aviation faced ‘unexpected problems securing the funding’ for its bid to takeover the company, eventually backing out.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.