Bristow Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Berry Aviation from Acorn Capital Management for $105 million in an all-cash transaction, a move that will significantly expand the company’s government and defense aviation services portfolio.
The acquisition, which remains subject to customary purchase price adjustments and closing conditions, is expected to strengthen Bristow’s Government Services segment by adding specialized mission capabilities and long-standing relationships with U.S. defense and government customers.
Headquartered in San Marcos, Texas, Berry Aviation operates a fleet of more than 20 aircraft and provides a wide range of aviation services across multiple countries. Approximately 72% of the company’s revenue is generated through government and defense-related operations, including special missions, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) activities, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, training, mission support, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) design and development.
The remainder of Berry Aviation’s business includes on-demand cargo logistics and aviation aftermarket supply-chain solutions for commercial customers.
Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow Group, said the acquisition aligns with key industry trends, including rising geopolitical tensions, increased defense spending and growing demand for outsourced aviation services.
“The acquisition of Berry Aviation, an established special mission aviation services provider, further aligns Bristow’s portfolio with key megatrends: increasing geopolitical risk, rising defense spending and the continued outsourcing of mission-critical aviation services,” Bradshaw said.
He added that Berry Aviation’s expertise and customer relationships complement Bristow’s existing government operations and will strengthen the company’s ability to compete for long-term government contracts.
“While Bristow remains the premier provider of offshore energy aviation services, this transaction comes at an important time as we are evolving our business mix to include more durable, contracted revenue streams and building a more resilient and diversified platform to deliver attractive long-term growth and shareholder value,” Bradshaw said.
Berry Aviation has extensive experience supporting all branches of the U.S. military and has built a reputation for delivering mission-critical services in demanding operational environments. The company’s focus on safety, compliance and operational reliability closely aligns with Bristow’s own culture and service approach.
Following completion of the transaction, Bristow expects customers to benefit from the combined capabilities of both organisations, leveraging Berry Aviation’s specialised mission expertise alongside Bristow’s global operational platform, scale and aviation experience.
The acquisition represents another step in Bristow’s strategy to diversify its revenue base and strengthen its position in the growing government and defense aviation market while maintaining its leadership in offshore energy transportation services.
