Willis Lease Finance
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) was set up in 1985 and now is based in Novato, California. The company provides purchase, resale, and leasing services for commercial aircraft engines and equipment worldwide. As of December 31, 2012, it operated 184 engines and related equipment, 7 aircraft, and 4 spare parts packages with 78 lessees in 42 countries. The Company is the servicer and administrative agent for Willis Engine Securitization Trust.
Operations
In 1998, the Company completed the change in its state of incorporation from California to Delaware, through a merger of Willis Lease Finance Corporation into its wholly owned Delaware subsidiary. In March 2011, Willis Lease Finance Corporation reached an agreement with BAE Systems. From this agreement, BAE Systems should provide come aircraft acquisition and trading services to Willis Lease.
In June 2011, Willis Lease Finance Corporation reached a joint venture agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to acquire and lease IAE V2500-A5 and General Electric CF34-10E jet engines.
In November 2013, Willis Lease Finance Corporation set up Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. November 6, 2013, Willis Lease Finance Corp acquired JT Power LLC.
Products & Services
The company’s engine portfolio consists of noise-compliant Stage III commercial jet engines manufactured by CFMI, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce and International Aero Engines. The Company leases its assets under both short (less than one year) and long term leases including a portion of the maintenance fees. All of the Company’s three DeHaviland DHC-8-100 turboprop aircraft are leased to Hawaii Island Air, Inc. For aircraft leasing, the lessee is responsible for normal maintenance and repairs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased three ATR 42-320 turboprop aircraft and seven ATR 72-202 turboprop aircraft.
Awards
In February 2013, Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s WEST II won the “Americas Deal of the Year” by Airline Economics, and “Engine Finance Deal of the Year” for 2012 by Global Transport Finance.
In June 2009, Willis Lease was included io the Russell 2000 Index. In July 2009, the company was ranked 19th on “America’s 100 Fastest Growing Small Public Companies” by Fortune Small Business magazine.