New Piper Aircraft tells ANN that Piper Generalvertretung Deutschland AG (Piper AG), a long-standing Piper dealer, is expanding operations to include sales, parts and service for the United Kingdom, Spain and related territories.  The transition from existing operations by Senate Aviation Limited is effective immediately and comes after several weeks of negotiations with Piper AG and the consent of Piper Aircraft.

Specifically, Piper AG will add the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Spain to its existing base of operations, which encompasses the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary. Piper AG has established Piper Parts and Sales UK, as its wholly owned parts and sales distributor for its expanded operations.  The operations will be immediately headquartered at Bournemouth International Airport in Christchurch, UK.

"Piper AG, which has been a loyal and valued Piper distributor since 1968, brings a wealth of experience and a stellar record of achievement to its new expanded operations," said James K. Bass, President and CEO of New Piper Aircraft.

"The United Kingdom and Spain are vital markets for New Piper, and we are particularly pleased to see a company of Piper AG's caliber on hand to service the needs of our large and loyal customer base in those countries."

Wilfried Otto, Chairman of Piper AG, said that Piper UK has significant plans for the future. 

"This transition and expansion is just the beginning of a new commitment to our customers," Otto said.  "Our immediate goal is to relocate Piper UK to another airport in the United Kingdom, where we will build a new facility with hangar space for aircraft maintenance, warehouse space for spare parts and office space for marketing activities.  We have already started negotiating with 10 potential UK airports and expect to relocate by July of this year."

In all, Piper UK will employ an eight-person staff in Bournemouth and increase parts inventory value by up to �300,000. Moreover, at least three different Piper Aircraft will be permanently based at Bournemouth for demonstration flights, and Piper UK plans to establish additional Piper Sales Centers (subdealers or agents) and Piper Service Centers (maintenance) in the UK to be concluded by June 30, 2006.

"Piper AG has played an integral role in New Piper's growth and success in the European market," said Molly Martin Pearce, New Piper's Director of Dealer Relations & Sales, "and we know that their team will continue to provide exemplary service for our customers throughout this territory".

FMI: www.newpiper.com, www.piper-germany.de, www.piper-uk.co.uk