VANCOUVER, Nov. 8, 2013 /CNW/ – The Ledcor Group of Companies and Wood
Buffalo Helicopters announced today that they have concluded an
agreement in principle to merge their helicopter businesses and assets
in Fort McMurray, Yellowknife and Terrace into a single operating
entity, subject to regulatory approval.

“We look forward to combining the talented and experienced teams of
employees within Summit Helicopters and Wood Buffalo Helicopters to
better serve the Western Canadian market,” said Paul McElligott,
President of Ledcor Resources and Transportation. “Both companies
complement each other in expertise, fleet, and location.”

Summit Helicopters is part of the Ledcor Group of Companies and operates
a fleet of helicopters based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and
Terrace, British Columbia. Summit Helicopters specializes in arctic
operations, mining exploration, crew movements, environmental surveys,
business travel and medevac.

“Customer service is what we do best, so our helicopter business has
been growing steadily in recent years,” said Michael Morin, President,
Wood Buffalo Helicopters. “More and more of our customers are
requesting services beyond the reach of our traditional base of
operations. We now look forward to serving them in British Columbia
and the North.”

Wood Buffalo Helicopters has over 10 years of vertical lifting
experience in Northeast Alberta and operates a fleet of light and
intermediate helicopters based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Wood Buffalo
Helicopters specializes in oil & gas field support, surveying, patrol,
forest protection, fire-fighting and environment & wildlife operations.

“Subject to regulatory approval of the merger, the brand of the new
entity will be Summit Helicopters,” said McElligott, “and, I am pleased
that Michael Morin will be levering his extensive experience in rotor
operations as the Chief Operating Officer of the new combined
business.”

“I am excited by the opportunity to combine the best of Wood Buffalo’s
success in the oil sands area with Summit’s success in the North,” said
Morin. “Plus, by combining forces we will gain efficiencies on fleet
usage, maintenance, administration, and training.”

“One characteristic that was closely aligned with both companies was our
focus on safety and the existence of programs that continually enhance
and improve safety across our operations,” said McElligott.

“We plan to implement Flight Data Management (FDM) and Health and Usage
Monitoring Systems (HUMS) early on in the merger to further increase
the reliability and efficiency of our services,” added Morin.

About Wood Buffalo Helicopters

Wood Buffalo Helicopters operates a fleet of light & intermediate
helicopters, from our main base in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.
Wood Buffalo Helicopters is an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO),
holding Transport Canada certification.

Fleet: Bell 206B JetRanger, Eurocopter EC120B Colibri, Eurocopter
As350-B2 AStar

www.woodbuffalohelicopters.ca

About Summit Helicopters

Summit Helicopters is owned and operated by The Ledcor Group of
Companies. Ledcor is one of North America’s most diversified
construction companies, serving the building, oil & gas,
infrastructure, mining, power and telecommunications sectors. Ledcor
also owns operations in fixed wing aviation services, forestry, marine
transportation, wastewater treatment and property investment.

Fleet: Bell 407, Bell 206, Bell 206 LongRanger L-4, Bell 206 JetRanger,
Eurocopter A-Star 350 B3

www.summithelicopters.ca

SOURCE Ledcor Industries