About Us
Industrial Helicopters was founded on a legacy of innovation and disciplined growth that began in 1960, when Oran Richard launched a herbicide application business in South Louisiana. By 1970, he had formalized operations under Industrial Weed Control, building a strong regional presence across the Gulf Coast.
Recognizing early the advantages of aviation in large-scale vegetation management, Oran acquired the company’s first helicopter and established Industrial Helicopters in 1970. Over the following decades, the company scaled into a fleet of helicopters supporting both oil and gas and infrastructure markets, building deep operational expertise in complex aerial environments.
In the 1990s, second-generation leadership initiated a strategic shift toward specialization and long-term, programmatic utility work. Mike Richard—who earned his pilot certification in 1990 and joined the business full-time in 1995—led the company’s transition away from oil and gas aviation services toward a focused utility model centered on right-of-way vegetation management.
Today, Industrial Helicopters operates a fleet of Bell helicopters (with the ability to scale further) and delivers aerial herbicide application, utility LiDAR, and vegetation and asset patrol services across 28 states, primarily in the eastern United States. The company’s revenue base is built on long-term Master Service Agreements with major utility customers, with approximately 100% repeat business and strong visibility into forward demand.
Operations are standardized around the Bell Helicopter platform, enabling efficient multi-state deployment, consistent maintenance practices, and scalable crew training. This disciplined operating model—combined with highly experienced pilots and a strong safety record—positions the company as a trusted partner for mission-critical utility infrastructure work.
With more than five decades of operating history and an established presence across key utility territories, Industrial Helicopters is positioned as a scalable platform for growth. Opportunities include expanding LiDAR and data services, increasing share of wallet with existing customers, adding aircraft capacity, and pursuing strategic acquisitions within the broader utility and infrastructure services ecosystem.
