IVAN SCHMIDHALTER BECOMES NEW CEO OF CENTAURIUM AVIATION LTD.

Ivan Schmidhalter (52) is taking over as the new CEO of Centaurium Aviation Ltd. The company, which is based at Grenchen Airport as well as Les Eplatures and Lugano-Agno airports, represents the helicopter manufacturer Bell in Switzerland.

Ivan Schmidhalter, a native of Valais, was put in charge of sales and marketing at Centaurium Aviation Ltd in Grenchen in 2020. On 1 March, he took over operational management of the business from owner Daniel Borer, who remains Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ivan Schmidhalter brings with him broad professional experience in the field of aviation and engine technology. After completing his apprenticeship as a machine mechanic at the Sion military airbase, he worked for Sulzer worldwide, looking after large marine engines, while serving in the military as a helicopter maintenance technician with the Swiss Air Force. In 2012, he moved to RUAG in Alpnach, where he was responsible for sales and product management of helicopter services. From 2016, he worked in sales and marketing at what is now Kopter AG. Schmidhalter is himself a passionate helicopter pilot, although as he says, he has missed out on the actual flying in recent years.

Centaurium Aviation maintains a partnership with the leading US manufacturer Bell Helicopter, whose aircraft it imports and sells in Switzerland. The company also offers all services related to import, assembly and testing of the helicopters, as well as compliance & safety management and the sale of pre-owned helicopters. Due to its sales success and positive customer feedback, Centaurium was nominated by Bell as “Independent Representative of the Year 2020”. In close cooperation with Mountainflyers, also based in Grenchen, it also offers type ratings for its customers. Following the realization of the redimensioned Swiss Rotor Hub, it is currently setting up its own aviation maintenance operations in Les Eplatures with the newly founded company Centaurium Aviation MRO in Grenchen.