Encore FBO, GTCR and Platform Partners Complete Acquisition of Landmark Aviation FBOs

March 4, 2008
Combined entity operates 41 FBOs located in the US, Canada and Europe

Houston, Texas – March 3, 2008 – Encore FBO, GTCR Golder Rauner and Platform Partners have completed the acquisition of Landmark Aviation’s Airport Services division, consisting of 33 FBOs, from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE). The combined company, which will retain the Landmark Aviation name, consists of 41 FBOs throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

“This transaction represents the successful culmination of many months of hard work on the part of all the involved parties,” said Landmark President and CEO Dan Bucaro. “Now I look forward to integrating the two companies as one strong aviation service entity, committed to providing exceptional customer service and maintaining superior standards. This is most certainly a positive development for our customers, employees and partners.”

The newly-formed Landmark Aviation now owns and operates an extensive network of 41 FBOs strategically located at airports in the US, Canada and Europe, including key markets such as Washington Dulles (IAD), Los Angeles International (LAX) and Westchester County, NY (HPN). In Europe there are FBOs in Paris (LFPB) and Nice (LFMN), France, and Dublin, Ireland (EIDW). Canadian facilities are located at Toronto (YYZ), Calgary (YYC) and Vancouver (YVR). Encore also owns Department of Defense fueling and fuel support systems businesses.

The acquisition also includes Landmark’s aircraft sales, charter and parts businesses, and MRO facilities based at certain FBOs.

GTCR is a leading private equity firm based in Chicago that manages more than $8 billion in equity and capital invested in a wide range of companies and industries. The firm principally invests in high-growth industries, including business services and outsourcing, consumer products and services, healthcare, technology and transaction processing.

Platform Partners, LLC is a private holding company based in Houston that makes investments in middle-market companies with the intent of growing the businesses into industry leaders through a combination of organic and acquisition growth.