Quest Aircraft

Last updated

Quest Aircraft
Industry Aerospace
Founded2001
FateAcquired by Daher in 2019
SuccessorKodiak Aircraft Company (Daher)
Headquarters
Sandpoint, Idaho
,
United States
Products General aviation aircraft
OwnerSetouchi Holdings (2015-19)
Number of employees
184 (2015)
Quest Kodiak Quest Kodiak 100 front right 20130608.jpg
Quest Kodiak

The Quest Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer located in Sandpoint, Idaho. Quest was started in 2001 to design and provide aircraft suitable for humanitarian applications. Its sole product was the Kodiak single engine short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft.

Contents

In February 2015, the company was sold to Setouchi Holdings of Japan. Setouchi had been acting as a dealer for Quest before purchasing the company. [1] [2] In 2019, Quest was sold to the French industrial group Daher.

History

In 1998, the Idaho Air Group was founded by Tom Hamilton and David Voetmann. Hamilton and Voetmann saw a need to develop an aircraft uniquely suited to the rugged flying environment found in humanitarian aviation. After raising the necessary funding, the Quest Aircraft Company launched in 2001 with a staff of 14. After a 27,000 square foot facility was prepared in 2002, work started on the first prototype aircraft, later leading to the production of the Quest Kodiak. [3]

Paul Schaller became CEO of the company in 2004, and by 2009 the employment force was 340 people. [4]

In 2010 the workforce was reduced to 155 employees, but 2011 saw infusion of capital and a change in executive leadership, with Schaller migrating to a consulting role in the company. [5]

Sam Hill was the CEO from 2012 to January 2017, after previous experience at Embraer Aircraft Corporation and Honda Aircraft Company. [6]

In February 2015, the company was purchased by Setouchi Holdings, part of the Tsuneishi Group of Japan. [1] [2]

In June 2016, the company's headquarters were expanded, bringing the main facility to 110,000 sq ft (10,000 m2). A 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) research and development hangar was also completed. [7]

In January 2017, Robert H. Wells was named CEO, having been in management at Tag Aviation, Beechcraft and Landmark Aviation. [7]

On June 13, 2019, French industrial conglomerate Daher announced its acquisition of Quest Aircraft from Setouchi Holdings. [8] The deal was completed by October 1, 2019, after which Quest was renamed Kodiak Aircraft and then absorbed into the parent company. [9] [10] [11]

Products

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Turboprop builder Quest Aircraft sold to Japanese group" . Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "New Ownership For Quest Aircraft". AVweb. February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Company Overview" . Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  4. ↑ Namowitz, Dan (June 10, 2011). "Quest Aircraft CEO to Depart; Other Changes Announced". AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Changes: Quest Aircraft Shifts Management, Shows Progress". Aero-News Network. June 12, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Management Team" . Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Grady, Mary (January 31, 2017). "Quest Names Wells As New CEO" . Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  8. ↑ "DAHER Announces Its Acquisition Of Quest Aircraft Company, Becoming A Franco-American Aircraft Manufacturer" . Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  9. ↑ Phelps, Mark (October 21, 2019). "Daher Completes Quest Acquisition". AIN Online. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  10. ↑ Daher Completes Quest Aircraft Acquisition
  11. ↑ Daher (2020). "The Kodiak 100 by Daher". kodiak.aero. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
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