Encore Announces Landmark Merger and Plots 2008 Acquisition Spree

Encore FBO and private-equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner are in the process of acquiring all of Landmark Aviation's FBOs from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Aviation Holdings. The merger also covers Landmark's charter, aircraft sales and maintenance parts assets, but not its MRO division. The combined company will own more than 40 FBOs.

According to Donald Prescott, Encore FBO executive vice president, Encore is solidifying its presence in North America. Through this deal, Encore not only picks up three locations in Canada, a key move for servicing U.S. traffic headed north, but also locations in White Plains and Washington Dulles, which are key access points for Encore's FBOs in Europe, he said.

Encore plans to acquire additional chains and independent FBOs in North America in the next three months. Long term the Middle East is another strong market for Encore, as locations there "share customers with our European locations," Prescott said.

Expect to see standardized customer service at FBOs owned by the combined company. According to Prescott, pooling resources will also enable Encore to provide a higher grade of employee training.

Dan Bucaro, the current president and CEO of Encore FBO, is expected to lead the combined company. It will carry the Landmark brand.

DAE bought the assets of Landmark Aviation, as well as Standard Aero, from The Carlyle Group in August for $1.9 billion.

Encore FBO, LLC, is based in Houston, Texas. It is a portfolio company of Platform Partners.