Independent aircraft management specialists Amentum Capital and Tokyo Stock Exchange listed Financial Products Group (FPG) have announced a strategic cooperation to provide innovative aircraft investment solutions to investors in Japan. As part of this cooperation, FPG has acquired 25% of Amentum’s share capital. FPG Asset & Investment Management (FPG AIM) sourced, structured, and arranged the transaction for FPG.
Amentum has a strong track-record as one of the largest independent third party asset & operating lease managers, sourcing, managing, transitioning and divesting commercial aircraft for investors. FPG is currently one of the largest independent JOLCO arrangers in the Japanese market and is seeking to grow its Japanese Operating Lease (JOL) offering. Under this agreement, FPG’s access to Amentum’s specialist aircraft management abilities provides FPG with the perfect credentials to approach Japanese investors with Japanese Operating Lease transactions, while at the same time providing Amentum access to a new source of investors.
Commenting, Hisanaga Tanimura, President and CEO of FPG said: “We are very pleased to close this transaction with Amentum today. With its experienced cross-functional team, its state-of-the-art infrastructure and proven track record of managing commercial aircraft investments throughout their entire life cycle, Amentum is the ideal partner for FPG, providing Japanese investors comfort that FPG has continued access to expert ability to securely manage their investments in aircraft on operating leases. We look forward to working with Amentum, as we further expand our aircraft JOL structuring and equity placement activities.”
Commenting, Jan Melgaard, Executive Chairman of Amentum said: “As one of the largest JOLCO arrangers in Japan, FPG has unique access to corporate investors in Japan and deep Japanese lease structuring know how. It is hugely appealing to us to combine this with Amentum’s aircraft operating leasing expertise to be an active participant in the Japanese Operating Leasing market for aircraft. In addition, it is a strong endorsement of Amentum’s independent, third party advisory-service model.”
Martin Bouzaima, CEO of Amentum adds: “We look forward to offering Japanese Operating Leases to our airline customers through our cooperation with FPG. We see significant demand for efficient Japanese Operating Lease solutions from airlines worldwide. We are also very pleased to welcome FPG AIM’s Marcus Jung to our Board. Marcus brings nearly 20 years of experience in structured asset finance to Amentum, has ample experience in structuring aircraft transactions for Japanese investors, and shares our vision for Amentum as an independent third party service provider.”
Amentum was advised by McCann FitzGerald and E & Y. FPG AIM, Nishimura & Asahi and KPMG acted for FPG.