The AINalerts newsletter reported on Dec. 17 that two companies have expressed interest in taking over German aircraft manufacturer Grob. Grob Aerospace insolvency administrator Dr. Michael Jaffé reportedly made the announcement.
The two interested parties are “little known H3 Aerospace from Munich, headed by Johann Heitzmann; and Chinese manufacturer Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC), part of the giant state group AVIC I that makes fighters, the ARJ21 regional airliner, Airbus subassemblies and many other aircraft and automotive components,” according to the newsletter. The still were tentative as of the announcement date. The winner is to be selected before year-end by a creditors’ committee “for further negotiations,” the newsletter said.
The bidders apparently are most interested in Grob’s trainers, which have provided the bulk of the company’s business. Both contenders are offering around $4.5 million for the trainer business, and GAIC might offer an additional $3.5 million for the SPn light business jet after further investigation, AIN said, commenting that piston-powered Grob basic trainers are in service with major air forces such as the British Royal Air Force, which is interested in ordering an additional batch.
However, the fate of the SPn business jet remains uncertain. According to the insolvency administrator, “negotiations are continuing with other interested parties, but the outlook for a seamless continuation of the SPn program is bleak,” AIN reported.
