Canadian aftermarket helicopter equipment manufacturer Dart Aerospace has acquired Oregon-based aerial firefighting equipment specialist Simplex Aerospace, which traces its history back more than seven decades. The two companies will merge under the Dart brand, which will now encompass more than 320 employees spread over eight locations worldwide.

The purchase, terms of which were not disclosed, will allow Montreal-based Dart to broaden and diversify its firefighting equipment catalog and enable it to offer new products to its global network of rotorcraft manufacturers and operators, including firefighting belly tanks, aerial cleaning supplies, and spray systems for agricultural applications.

“With the support of Simplex’s 200-plus international product certifications and its years of experience in the aerial firefighting sector, Dart will strengthen its global leadership position by providing helicopter mission equipment for offshore, firefighting, and utility applications, as well as an increased portfolio alongside our current product offering of 900-plus STCs,” said company president and CEO Alain Madore.