Japanese company buys northern Idaho aircraft builder

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) - A Japanese company bought a northern Idaho company that builds a rugged backcountry aircraft.

The Spokesman-Review reported (https://bit.ly/19wF4K2) in a story on Tuesday that Setouchi Holdings Inc. has acquired Sandpoint-based Quest Aircraft Company and plans to increase production and hire more workers.

“We are looking forward to significant growth for Quest in the years ahead,” Quest CEO Sam Hill said.

Setouchi Holdings officials said the aircraft company with 184 employees will remain in Sandpoint.

Quest Aircraft each year builds about 30 of the $2 million KODIAK single-engine turboprop airplanes. The 10-seat aircraft is used for mission work, tourism, and skydiving. It is also used for government and corporate trips.

Setouchi Holdings is a member of Tsuneishi Group, a global entity involved in shipbuilding, transportation and related businesses.

“Quest has positioned itself to be attractive to outside investors to help us grow the company, and we feel we have the perfect fit with Tsuneishi Group,” Hill said in a statement. “They have extensive experience in manufacturing along with other global capabilities which will benefit us greatly. In addition, their corporate philosophy is similar to ours in how they treat their customers and employees and in how they view their place in the world.”

Quest Aircraft started in 1998 when founders Tom Hamilton and Dave Voetmann saw a void that could be filled with the KODIAK. They designed the aircraft and sought funding.

The first KODIAK took flight in 2003. The airplanes are built in an assembly plant near the Sandpoint Municipal Airport.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, https://www.spokesman.com