The international defense company, Patria,announced the purchase of 100% stake in the company Belgium Engine Center (BEC), to the AIM Norway group, into strengthen BEC's capabilities and expertise.

Grinding machine (Picture source: Patria)

BEC (Liège, Belgium) is a company specializing in maintenance, overhaul and repair of military aircraft engines, including F100 engines from Pratt & Whitney operating on the F-15 and F-16 aircraft. The BEC company is based in Herstal and employs 90 people.

This acquisition is part of Patria's strategy. main growth sector is maintenance activities at internationally and in Europe in particular. "The buyout of the company BEC represents an important step for Patria. Growth of international maintenance activities is at the heart of our strategy.

Patria has a long history and a great experience in the maintenance of military aircraft, including their engines, both in Finland and other Nordic countries. Our activities in this domain will grow thanks to this acquisition. We pledge to continue the excellent work done so far by BEC, as well as the quality standards expected by customers. I also welcome BEC staff to Patria and look forward to expanding our business together. We have complementary skills that make us stronger an more competitive, "said JUKKA HOLKERI, President, Partnerships International Maintenance, at Patria.

"On behalf of the Belgium Engine Center, I would like to welcome to Patria as the new owner of our company. We look forward to working together and providing services even more diverse to our customers in the future, "said HUGO VANBOCKRYCK, Managing Director of the Belgium Engine Center.

The acquisition does not affect customer contracts or any other commitment of the undertaking, nor the conditions of employment of the staff of BEC, and fully complies with all legal requirements.

Following this acquisition, the official name of the Belgium Engine Center will become Patria Belgium Engine Center SRL, and communications will be performed around the brand Patria. This unit will be a essential part of the operational unit responsible for partnerships related to maintenance (International Support Partnerships) from Patria. A transition of a few months is planned to implement the Patria brand in this new unit.