Deal paves way for jetpack factory

The Press

FLYING HIGH: Martin Aircraft chief executive Richard Lauder with one of the jetpacks in the company's workshop in Christchurch.

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The Martin Aircraft Company has signed a $12 million joint-venture deal to start production of the world's first commercially available jetpack.

The Christchurch-based company has been developing the jetpack for more than a decade but has struggled to find New Zealand funding for commercial production.

Company chief executive Richard Lauder said the joint venture would build Martin Jetpacks at an overseas factory, with the aim of making 500 units generating annual turnover of $100 million within three years.

"For us this is an excellent commercial step," he said. "We have somebody who is willing to put $12m on the table because they believe there is a sizeable market in their country."

Mr Lauder would not identify the partner other than to say it was an international aircraft company. He would not say where the factory would be built, citing unresolved intellectual property and branding matters.

The jetpacks would be sold to emergency response organisations, such as police and military, providing a quick way of getting aid and relief into disaster-hit areas. It was unlikely to have a direct military application but could be used in a troop-support role, he said.

"This could be life-saving stuff."

The joint venture would be run through a newly created company. The aircraft company would have a controlling 51 per cent stake. Both Mr Lauder and jetpack inventor Glenn Martin would be directors of the new company.

The new backer would invest $12m to set up jetpack production, while Martin Aircraft Company would provide technical know-how and the licence to manufacture Martin Jetpacks in that country.

Martin Aircraft Company would retain the international patent and was still looking for other international partners.

"For the rest of the world, it's still our business."

While the deal brings welcome relief for the cash-strapped company, it would not provide the immediate capital injection needed to fund Martin Aircraft Company's own international ambitions.

"The joint venture will give us a lifeline but it doesn't give us the sort of venture capital we need."

In December, Mr Lauder said the company needed $10m and $25m in the next three months to develop the Martin Jetpack for commercial production.

Yesterday, he said he was saddened by the lack of New Zealand investor support, especially when there was such strong interest from overseas.

Offers for funding international production came mostly from the Middle East and China but usually with "strings attached", he said.

If the joint venture is successful, it will generate some revenue for Martin Aircraft Company.

About 20 per cent of the jetpack's components will still be produced in Christchurch for Martin Aircraft Company, meaning it will derive income from selling parts to the joint-venture company.

"We're expecting that could become a $20m turnover business once we are up to full speed."

In its present form, the Martin Jetpack is capable of reaching heights of about 2400 metres and can travel up to 100kmh but further safety testing is required before it ready for commercial production.

- © Fairfax NZ News