REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIE

Originally Avions Max Holste, founded 1933; Cessna acquired 49 per cent share in February 1960; name then changed to Reims Aviation, which licensed to manufacture Cessna aircraft for sale in Europe, Africa and Asia, but stopped making small piston-engined types when Cessna did; Reims had built 6,351 aircraft of all types by late 2001. Reims developed twin-turboprop F406 Caravan II; but Cessna sold its share in Reims Aviation to Compagnie Française Chaufour Investissement (CFCI) in early 1989.
Filed for bankruptcy protection on 30 October 2002 following loss of aerostructures work in wake of Fairchild Dornier's bankruptcy. Company sold in two separate parts, with aerostructures and light aircraft maintenance becoming Reims Aerospace under ownership of Austrian group, Ventana.
Caravan production, marketing and maintenance activities purchased by Green Recovery venture capital group, becoming Reims Aviation Industrie. Employees in 2003 totalled 40. Expansion plans included manufacture of four aircraft in 2004.