July 23, 2002
ABC announced that an affiliate has acquired the Virgin interests in The Lightship Group, effectively making ABC the exclusive owner of TLG, the world's preeminent airship operator. The Lightship Group operates a fleet of 16 airships around the world, representing approximately two thirds of the commercial airships in service.
The President and Founder of ABC, Mr. James Thiele, said "We have had a long and mutually satisfactory relationship with Virgin. Their decision to leave the commercial airship market provided this opportunity for ABC to acquire their interest in TLG which will continue to be the leader in providing highly professional and experienced airship operations worldwide."
A Virgin spokesman said that the transaction is part of Virgin's continued strategy to focus on the global expansion of its core, consumer focused businesses. Virgin retains an interest in the equity of TLG until 2007.
The TLG group of companies will continue to do business as The Lightship Group, and its headquarters will remain in Orlando, Florida. "This transaction will give The Lightship Group and American Blimp the unity of purpose to not only continue the high level of airship services that our corporate customers have come to expect, but additionally, the expanded opportunity to together develop new products and services for TLG customers" said Chuck Ehrler, CEO of TLG.
American Blimp Corporation, a privately held company, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1987, it has become the pre-eminent company engaged in the design of airships, and is the only airship manufacturer in the world delivering on a scheduled production basis. Its headquarters are in Hillsboro, Oregon where the airships are designed and constructed in a 25,000 square foot facility. The final assembly and flight test is accomplished at an appropriate site near the customer's location. A marketing office for airship applications in government missions and civil aid is located in Severna Park, Maryland, near Washington, DC. Today the ABC airships in operation total more than those of all other manufacturers combined.For additional information please contact: