Fort Worth, TX - October 7, 2013 - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today a signed purchase agreement with Saran Holding Group for the first Bell 407GX to be operated in Turkey. The signing took place at the 23rd annual Monaco Yacht Show, held September 25-28.
"As the Turkish helicopter market continues to grow by leaps and bounds, our partnership with Bell Helicopter will enable us to best respond to the needs of the marketplace. We will continue to invest in Bell aircraft, as well as the exceptional rotorcraft services and operations our customers have come to expect from us," said Kurt Akin, Saran's coordinator, Special Operations.
Based in Istanbul, Saran Aviation, a Saran Holding Group company, will fly the Bell 407GX for corporate transport missions. Saran Aviation provides aircraft sales as a Bell Helicopter Independent Representative, as well as air ambulance and helicopter transport services.
"The sale of the first Bell 407GX in Turkey represents the continued growth of Bell Helicopter's commercial business in Europe across all segments. We have significantly expanded our presence in Turkey with the sale of more than 24 aircraft in the last two years," said Patrick Moulay, Bell Helicopter's managing director in Europe. "We are very pleased that Saran continues to place their trust in Bell Helicopter."
Founded in 1995, Saran Holding Group offers services in a variety of fields, including media, energy and aviation. Saran Holding employs nearly 2,500 people across 25 companies in eight fields.
The 407GX delivers power and speed with a smooth, quiet ride and a spacious, multi-mission cabin that accommodates six passengers. Built on the proven performance and reliability of the Bell 407 platform, the 407GX features the Garmin G1000H™ flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and increased safety. The flight deck's high resolution LCD screens host primary flight and multi-function display information, including Helicopter Terrain Avoidance Warning System, Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology™, Traffic Information Systems and more.
The Monaco Yacht Show is one of the most important events for the captains of the yacht industry. The prestigious event hosted over 500 exhibitors representing innovative products and luxury services from a variety of sectors. The Monaco Yacht Show, held annually, had a record 33,000 visitors representing nearly 40 countries at the event in 2012 and numbers are expected to grow this year.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders and difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers' ability to fund or finance purchases of our products.
Contact
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Kurt Akin, coordinator, Special Operations at Saran shakes hands with Patrick Moulay, Bell Helicopter's managing director, Europe in front of a Bell 429 on display at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Saran will fly the Bell 407GX for corporate transport missions.