Air Chef Holdings Caters To The Fast Growing Private Jet Industry

Meridian Venture Partners (MVP), one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading private equity firms, says it's backing the acquisition of Air Chef Holdings, a Columbus, Ohio-based provider of in-flight catering services for the private jet industry.

Propelled by the growth in usage of private jets-through whole ownership, charter and fractional jets (a type of time-share program for private jet usage)-the business aviation catering industry grew to become a $150 million business worldwide in 2004. 

The equity investment from MVP was used to fund the acquisition of premier jet caterer Air Culinaire, Inc., based in Arlington, Va., as well as an established in-flight catering company operating at Luton Airport in London. These acquisitions are expected to more than double the market which Air Chef services.

MVP led the financing and provided equity in conjunction with individual investors. MVP also partnered with Spring Capital, which provided mezzanine financing, and with JP Morgan Chase, which provided senior financing.

Scott Liston, Chief Executive Officer of Air Chef, says, "Air Chef has nearly unlimited growth opportunities before us.  Our customers include a literal 'who's who' of corporations, entertainers, and high net worth individuals around the world, and our ability to expand into the cities where they do business will help us to immediately grow our business with them.  The acquisition of Air Culinaire doubles our footprint and will create a platform for additional transactions in the industry. The acquisition of the London operation opens the growing European market to us for the first time. MVP's financing made these exciting transactions possible."

Jay Weber, Vice President with MVP, says, "Scott Liston, Mark Wolfington, Paul Schweitzer and their team at Air Chef have built a successful business implementing technology, introducing new products, and consistently providing great service to the operators of private aircraft. Air Chef serves the leading markets in its industry, and continues to gain market share. We are thrilled to be a part of this growth strategy and we look forward to partnering with the company on additional transactions in the future."

MVP has a history of aviation-related transactions. In 2002, the company led the acquisition of Keystone Helicopter Corporation in partnership with Ranger Aerospace to execute a consolidation strategy in the rotorcraft industry. In 2004, MVP led the buyout of Composite Technology, the largest independent rotor blade repair company operating worldwide (now merged with Keystone Ranger). Also in 2004 MVP, as co-lead in partnership with Brockway Moran & Partners, sponsored the acquisition of Air Evac Lifeteam, a leading emergency air medical transportation company.

FMI: www.meridianventures.com