Bristow Helicopters Ltd. · Redhill, Surrey United Kingdom

A key unit of US-based Bristow Group, Bristow Helicopters transports personnel and equipment with some 550 helicopters for oil and gas exploration and production companies in more than 20 countries. Europe accounts for more than one-third of the group's sales, and Bristow Helicopters' UK facilities serve as headquarters for the company's Eastern Hemisphere operations. Bristow Group owns its stake in Bristow Helicopters through Bristow Aviation, in which the group holds 100% of the debt but only 49% of the equity because of UK restrictions on foreign ownership of aviation companies. In 2008 Bristow Helicopters bumped up its 51% stake in Norsk Helikopter to full ownership, expanding in the Norwegian market. To read the full description, subscribe now.