PremiAir
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Out of the frying pan?
Just carried out a brief search at Companies House - funny that there is a Graham Avery, born 17.02.1945 who was a director of Titaghur (and Victoria Jute) and also a Graham Avery, born 17.02.1965, also a director of Titaghur. Two directors, same name, same birthday but 20 years apart? Have we been telling porkies on our Annual Returns, hmmmm?
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: South East
Obviously just because a company has been bought does not mean the problems are over.The new owner or directors may decide that all the good work prior to their ownership was rubbish and try it their way.The company could then collapse again.
A company is as good as its staff and when the long term people leave assuming they are not dead wood,then what have you got?
A company is as good as its staff and when the long term people leave assuming they are not dead wood,then what have you got?
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: UK
It is bitterly disappointing to see a company with such an illustrious pedigree as Premiair ( over the years McAlpine Helicopters, OSS, Air Hanson, Signature, Lynton Aviation and Eurpean Helicopters have all donated their best ) laid low by the ill judged meddlings of so called commercial experts. If you care to study the management structures of those renowned forebears you will detect a strong representation of aviators, albeit old and wrinkly in some cases,at board level who knew the particular foibles of an aviation company and who were able to curb the business school dogma driven excesses of the commercial whizz kids.
In my view Premiair`s problems began under a previous MD who, when faced with spiralling engineering costs decided the best way to economise was to axe a large proportion of the licensed engineers, the very seed corn of the company.In their place he recruited more administrative staff and expanded Human Resources, like it says in the manual. On realising the folly of his move, some of the engineers were brought back as contractors but on higher pay and without the goodwill or company loyalty. Sadly, the die was cast even then.
What is the answer? EASY - turn the clock back to the 80`s when Hanson were at Brooklands, McAlpine were at Hayes, Manns were at Fairoaks and everone knew Lynton were the best.
In my view Premiair`s problems began under a previous MD who, when faced with spiralling engineering costs decided the best way to economise was to axe a large proportion of the licensed engineers, the very seed corn of the company.In their place he recruited more administrative staff and expanded Human Resources, like it says in the manual. On realising the folly of his move, some of the engineers were brought back as contractors but on higher pay and without the goodwill or company loyalty. Sadly, the die was cast even then.
What is the answer? EASY - turn the clock back to the 80`s when Hanson were at Brooklands, McAlpine were at Hayes, Manns were at Fairoaks and everone knew Lynton were the best.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 3
From: Milano, Italia
.. and everyone knew Lynton were the best.
Mann's, McAlpine's and Hanson were all fairly distinctive by the 80's but, as we know, Mann's failed to re-invest (in numerous areas) and began to lose their footing and, eventually, their distributorship too and which had been their commercial lifeblood.
McAlpine's were also driven (to a large extent) by their distributorship and somewhere along the line I think Hanson's picked-up the Bell distributorship for a season.
I agree with some of what you have said but .. I believe the solution is perhaps exemplified in the form of Starspeed. If I understand it correctly, Starspeed's shareholdings are offered to their employees and those whose who can afford to do so buy into the company and offer their shares up for sale again when they leave. As I say, I don't know if this is an accurate portrayal of what goes on but it's what I've been told.
In the case of Mann's, McAlpine's, Hanson, Ferranti and others .. there was one common denominator .. the parent company when facing fiscal challenge would simply severe its subsidiaries .. pretty unceremoniously in some cases.
In a company which is owned by those actively working in the industry (eg. Starspeed) this is (obviously) far less likely to happen as the shareholders have a vested interest in ensuring the company's survival - against all odds if necessary.
There is one British rotary-wing company (also a distributor) which harkens back to before the 80's. Its owner is a member of PPRuNe. He keeps a low profile. His business has trundled along year after year steadily growing, he offers excellent service. Because he is interested in the industry he has kept his hand steadily on the tiller and the results (as described) are plain to see.
So, sometimes, just sometimes .. it works out.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
From: UK
I have a terrible fear that by the time the recession and EASA have done their stuff, sadly there will be very little left of the commercial helicopter charter industry in the UK. Just think of the list of outfits that have already gone.
Not sure about elsewhere in Europe.
If you add to that the upheaval associated with NPAS, things are not looking rosy.
That leaves offshore and HEMS really and one or two utility ops.
Not sure about elsewhere in Europe.
If you add to that the upheaval associated with NPAS, things are not looking rosy.
That leaves offshore and HEMS really and one or two utility ops.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 6
From: UK
I am told the reason why the VON fleet got lowloaded was because they were actually owned by the VonEssen hotel chain which went under and the banks called in their loans etc. But the fleet is on their way back to Blackbushe.
Maybe that's what happened at Oxford, the administrators of the VonEssen group recouping the assets...
Maybe that's what happened at Oxford, the administrators of the VonEssen group recouping the assets...
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: sURREY
I am told the reason why the VON fleet got lowloaded was because they were actually owned by the VonEssen hotel chain which went under and the banks called in their loans etc. But the fleet is on their way back to Blackbushe.
I do hope the heli,s are on their way back to BB so they can be chartered and flown and maybe start turning fortunes.....
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: UK
It is my understanding that all the VON fleet are now re-possessed, now fully owned by the bank. I believe plans are already well in place for them to be dealt with then sold. It would appear that they won't be going back to Blackbushe unless Mr Avery gets his chequebook out pretty darn quick.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Over the hills and far away
The problem is UK helicopter companies are often run/purchased by people who don't know anything about aviation.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Andover / Goodwood
Deja Vu
employees were apparently told sometime yesterday that they would be paid either today or Monday. Let's hope so.....
It's always the little people that get screwed over while the owners and former owners still manage to drive round in their Aston Martins 🚘
Neil Bellis and Lucy Cummings could tell them exactly how not to run an aviation company(s).
Best of luck to all of you at Premiair - there is always light at the end of the tunnel for good people.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 12
From: UK
Captb747 - you said....
Don't read anything in to that - it was merely a renaming exercise with the company "Von Essen Aviation Ltd" just becoming "Premiair Aviation Holdings Ltd"
they transfered the fleet to Premiair Business aviation or something like that
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: sURREY
Don't read anything in to that - it was merely a renaming exercise with the company "Von Essen Aviation Ltd" just becoming "Premiair Aviation Holdings Ltd"
Am pleased the guys and girls got paid....eventually!!!!