In 1969, Jack Erickson leased a
Sikorsky S-61 helicopter from Wes Lematta of
Columbia Helicopters to test the effectiveness of helicopters for logging. Following this test Erickson realized he would need a larger helicopter. He purchased three
S-64 Skycranes from
Sikorsky Aircraft and founded Erickson Air-Crane in December 1971. He quickly expanded the business to include
power line construction and firefighting. In 1973, Erickson began using Aircranes to replace
HVAC units on top of high-rises. which was delayed into 2012. On April 11, 2012, the company completed an
initial public offering and began trading on the NASDAQ market, with ZM Private Equity Fund retaining ownership of 63% of the company. The company acquired
Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for $250 million in March 2013. Erickson then bought Brazil-based HRT Participações em Petroleo's oil and gas unit, with the deal expected to be finalized in 2013. The name of the company was changed to Erickson Inc. in February 2014. The following year the company reorganized into three business units: Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO. During bankruptcy the company returned to private ownership and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017. Erickson appointed government services veteran
Doug Kitani as CEO and Director August 31, 2017. He was previously CEO and director of government services firm IAP Worldwide Services. He has also worked in private investment and general management for Honeywell and General Electric. ==Heliport==