Story ID: 
Embraer and EADS share in Ogma buy
By: Jeff Apter
Caption: The Airholding consortium led by Embraer of Brazil, with EADS as a minority partner, has taken a majority stake in Portuguese aircraft maintenance speciali
Word Count: 346
The Airholding consortium led by Embraer of Brazil, with EADS as a minority partner, has taken a majority stake in Portuguese aircraft maintenance specialist Ogma, following the latter’s privatization late last year. European Union competition authorities have since approved the ?11.4 million ($14 million) deal, in which a company controlled by the Portuguese government retains the remaining 35 percent of the shareholding.

Ogma, which currently employs around 1,600 people, last year reported revenues of €140 million ($172.2 million)–a 30-percent increase on 2003. That year it won a maintenance contract for the French air force’s Lockheed Martin C130–work that had previously been done by France’s EADS Sogerma. 

Although Embraer has a 99-percent stake in Airholding and EADS just 1 percent, the European group holds an option to increase its participation to 30 percent. 

Ogma’s new CEO is Antonio Pires, who has spent more than 30 years as an engineer and manager with Embraer. A spokesman said the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer is now evaluating Ogma’s activities but will not make any strategic changes before the fall.

Ogma performs aircraft repair and overhaul work, manufactures structural components, develops simulators and computer-based training. The company, established in 1918, also produces and assembles aircraft components and has engineering capacity to design tools and jigs, mainly as a subcontractor to airframers. 

The company’s main customers include the air forces of the U.S., Portugal and France, NATO’s maintenance and supply agency and the Norwegian and Dutch navies. Its production activity includes nacelles and wing trailing edge panels for C-130Js; design, manufacture and assembly of various hardware for the Boeing E-3A AWACS and for the EADS Casa C-212.

In the airliner maintenance market, Ogma specializes in Embraer aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines, supporting carriers such as Portugalia, TAP Air Portugal, BMI and Luxair.  It also manufactures structural components and composite materials for Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Dassault and Pilatus as well as for the EH-101 and NH90 helicopters.