Vallfirest, a Global Leader in Wildland Firefighting Equipment and Innovation, Acquires Aerial Fire Control PTY LTD to Strengthen Its International Reach in Aerial Suppression
Vallfirest, a global leader in equipment and innovation for wildland firefighting, has announced the acquisition of Aerial Fire Control PTY LTD, an Australian company renowned for its specialized aerial suppression systems.
This strategic acquisition strengthens Vallfirest’s position in the international market and highlights its commitment to improving the availability, performance, and technological advancement of tools for aerial wildfire suppression. Aerial Fire Control’s helicopter buckets and mission-specific solutions are highly valued across Oceania and in over a dozen countries for their reliability and operational efficiency over the past 25 years.
Since November 2024, Vallfirest has been backed by Suma Capital, a leading sustainable and impact investment management firm. Through its SC Expansion strategy, Suma Capital supports Vallfirest in becoming a global reference in advanced technological solutions for environmental protection.
Javier Baena, CEO of Vallfirest, emphasized the strategic importance of this first acquisition:
“At Vallfirest, we believe that the future of wildfire suppression lies in innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the challenges both on the ground and in the air. Aerial Fire Control has built an extraordinary legacy. Together, we will take it even further by developing the next generation of aerial solutions capable of making the difference between disaster and resilience.”
The combination of Aerial Fire Control’s manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise with Vallfirest’s product development processes will accelerate the launch of new aerial solutions designed to address the growing challenges of extreme fire behavior and climate instability.
Chris Black, inventor of the Water Hog, founder and Managing Director of Aerial Fire Control, expressed his enthusiasm for joining Vallfirest’s mission:
“After 25 years of innovating reliable and affordable helicopter buckets, we’re excited to move forward with Vallfirest, sharing a common vision and creating new aerial products that support critical emergency response missions. Given Vallfirest’s international presence in wildfire operations, they are the ideal partner to continue the Water Hog legacy under the vft Vallfirest brand.”
Pau Bermúdez-Cañete, Partner at Suma Capital, added:
“Vallfirest is a clear example of how technology can drive decarbonization and sustainable growth. The integration of Aerial Fire Control strengthens this path and expands Vallfirest’s product offering and capabilities on a global scale.”
This acquisition marks a new chapter in Vallfirest’s global expansion and reaffirms its commitment to equipping wildfire suppression teams with the most effective, reliable, and advanced tools — both on the ground and in the air.
About Vallfirest
Vallfirest is the leading manufacturer of equipment, tools, and solutions for wildland firefighting professionals. Its mission is to revolutionize fire management through cutting-edge technologies that enable safer and more effective interventions.
The company currently serves emergency services and land management agencies in over 85 countries through a solid network of 80+ distributors and production subsidiaries in North America (Colorado) and Uruguay (Montevideo).
www.vallfirest.com / www.vftnorthamerica.com
About Aerial Fire Control PTY LTD
Headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, Aerial Fire Control PTY LTD has been designing, developing, and manufacturing high-performance aerial firefighting equipment for over 25 years. Its modular tank systems and discharge control technologies are used in firefighting fleets across several continents, particularly in critical external load helicopter operations.
https://aerialfirecontrol.com/
About Suma Capital
Suma Capital is a leading alternative asset manager specializing in sustainability.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Barcelona, with offices in Madrid and Paris, the firm manages over €1.2 billion across three investment strategies focused on driving the ecological transition:
Recognized as a European benchmark in impact investing, Suma Capital promotes a purpose-driven capital model that generates both economic and environmental value.
www.sumacapital.com
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