DART acquires Simplex Aerospace

DART Aerospace has announced that it recently acquired aerial firefighting mission equipment manufacturer Simplex Aerospace.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Simplex Aerospace is an aviation industry veteran serving thousands of operators and OEMs worldwide. Its reputation as a world leader in the innovation, manufacturing and certification of aerial application systems has been built over a 73-year history of supplying cutting-edge designs, high-quality craftmanship and reliable customer support to its client base.

The newly combined entity, which will transition into operating under the DART brand, will now have more than 320 employees in eight locations worldwide, including four manufacturing centers of excellence.

DART’s acquisition of Simplex Aerospace will also allow the Canadian-based mission equipment manufacturer to broaden and diversify its firefighting product portfolio. It will enable DART to offer several exciting new product categories to its global network of OEMs and helicopter operators, including firefighting belly tanks, aerial cleaning supplies and agricultural spray systems.

“With the support of Simplex’s 200+ international product certifications and its years of experience in the aerial firefighting sector, DART will strengthen its global leadership position by providing helicopter mission equipment for offshore, firefighting and utility applications, as well as an increased portfolio alongside our current product offering of 900+ STCs [supplemental type certificates],” said Alain Madore, DART’s president and CEO.

“We are proud to be delivering the added value that Simplex’s products and capabilities will bring to the DART brand,” said Mark Zimmerman, president and CEO of Simplex, who led the company through 18 years of success. “Together, our unique STC portfolio and complementary product lines will enable us to achieve revenue synergies and expand our reach across the aerial firefighting sector worldwide.”

Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.