AgustaWestland Logo PNG
AgustaWestland: Brand overview
AgustaWestland was created in 2000 by merging two established companies: Agusta, an Italian helicopter manufacturer, and Westland Helicopters, a British aerospace firm. This merger combined their resources, expertise, and customer bases to form a powerful competitor in the global helicopter market.
Agusta contributed its extensive history of designing and producing military and civilian helicopters and a strong market presence in Italy and Europe. Westland brought its broad experience in naval and military helicopters and established relationships with the British military and Commonwealth nations.
Following the merger, AgustaWestland focused on merging the strengths of Agusta and Westland, enhancing operations, and developing advanced helicopter models. The company invested heavily in research and development to advance its technological capabilities and expand its product offerings.
A major achievement for AgustaWestland was the development of the AW101, known as the EH101 Merlin. Launched in the early 2000s, this modern, medium-lift helicopter was designed for various roles, including military and civilian applications. It boasted advanced technology, exceptional flight capabilities, and versatility, gaining adoption by several countries such as the UK, Italy, Japan, and Denmark for maritime operations, search and rescue, and VIP transport roles.
Other successful models developed during this period include the light twin-engine AW109, the versatile AW139, and the military AW129. These helicopters were well-received in commercial and governmental markets and helped expand AgustaWestland’s global presence.
In addition to developing new products, AgustaWestland focused on entering new markets and enhancing its international footprint. The company established significant partnerships and secured substantial orders in diverse regions, including the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and North America.
However, the early 2010s presented challenges. AgustaWestland encountered controversies and accusations of corruption, notably concerning selling VIP helicopters to India around 2010, which led to contract cancellations and damaged the company’s reputation.
In 2016, as part of a larger corporate reorganization and to address these challenges, AgustaWestland was integrated into its parent company, Finmeccanica, now known as Leonardo S.p.A. This merger streamlined operations and created a more cohesive aerospace and defense entity.
Under the Leonardo Helicopters brand, AgustaWestland’s legacy continues, with the company maintaining a significant role in the global helicopter market. It offers various advanced helicopter models for commercial, governmental, and military applications.
Meaning and History
Who is Agusta Westland?
AgustaWestland has become an influential force in the world of aviation, specializing in designing and manufacturing helicopters. The Anglo-Italian multinational corporation was created in July 2000 when Finmeccanica and GKN decided to merge their helicopter subsidiaries, Agusta and Westland Helicopters. The company’s structure changes occurred in 2004 when Finmeccanica acquired GKN’s stake in AgustaWestland. As a result, AgustaWestland became a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, which was subsequently renamed Leonardo, marking another milestone in the company’s development.
2000 – 2016
The logo of AgustaWestland, a helicopter manufacturer, contains a stylized propeller. The propeller is located in the upper left corner and consists of seven blades: four gray and three red. The blades are elongated, curved triangles that resemble flower petals in shape and arrangement. The company’s name is executed in a serif font and colored in two tones: “A” and “W” are red, and the rest are dark blue. Below is a gray line with the inscription “A Finmeccanica Company” in a thin sans serif font.
The stylized propeller design serves as a visual cue to the company’s core business – aviation. The seven-blade design is characterized by originality and aims to create a unique and memorable brand image. The choice of a serif font for the brand name gives the logo a sense of heritage and reliability, while the serif font used for the parent company’s name implies a more modern outlook. The dual colors in the brand name add additional visual interest. They signify different corporate values: red is typically associated with activity and passion, while dark blue is associated with stability and trust.
FAQ
Who owns AgustaWestland?
AgustaWestland was an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company and a subsidiary of the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica, now known as Leonardo S.p.A. Leonardo is a leading global high-technology company active in the aerospace, defense, and security sectors.
The transition to the Leonardo brand involved integrating Finmeccanica’s various aerospace and defense components, including AgustaWestland, into a single corporate entity. This rebranding and restructuring aimed to streamline operations and boost Leonardo’s competitiveness in the global market. Today, Leonardo continues to develop and manufacture advanced helicopters and has a strong presence in the international aerospace industry. The company operates worldwide, offering various sophisticated aerospace, defense, and security products and services to government and private clients.
Does Leonardo own AgustaWestland?
Yes, Leonardo now owns what was previously known as AgustaWestland. In 2016, AgustaWestland merged into Leonardo S.p.A., formerly known as Finmeccanica. This merger dissolved AgustaWestland as a separate entity, and its operations became part of Leonardo’s helicopter division. This change was part of a larger effort to streamline operations and strengthen Leonardo’s role in the global aerospace market. Today, Leonardo’s helicopter division upholds the legacy of AgustaWestland by developing and manufacturing advanced helicopters and maintaining a prominent role in the international aerospace industry.
