13 June 2011 - Aerospace industry: An innovative force for Québec’s economy
Aerospace industry: An innovative force for Québec’s economy
Québec City, March 16, 2011 - Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, which includes all thechief executives of Québec’s aerospace sector, visited the national capital today to identify potentialpartners for the more ecological aircraft catalyst project.
Gilles Labbé, Chairman of Aéro Montréal and President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek, also appearedbefore Québec City’s Chambre of Commerce and Industry to highlight the expertise of technologycompanies in the region and their potential for becoming links in the global aerospace industry’ssupply chain.
“The Québec City region is full of innovative and growing companies. It has, among others, a world-class capability in the field of optics/photonics networks through the National Optics Institute (INO) andLaval University’s Center for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL),”
“The Chaudière-Appalaches region, in turn, has created Plasturgy Valley, an initiative that aims tomobilize and bring together companies and organizations working in the areas of composite materialsand plastics. All these areas of expertise have applications in the aerospace sector.”
Following Mr. Labbé’s speech, a symposium on the theme “Quebec technology companies serving theaerospace industry” was organized jointly with Québec International. It gave Québec City technologycompanies a chance to meet with representatives from global giants of Québec’s aerospace industrywho are involved in the more ecological aircraft catalyst project: Bombardier Aerospace, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Esterline CMC Electronics, Thales Canada and Héroux-Devtek.
The result of work by Aéro Montréal’s Innovation Working Group, the more ecological aircraft project isa technology demonstration project financed by industry and the Québec government to test newconcepts related to the development of a greener aircraft.
Suzanne M. Benoît, CEO of Aéro Montréal, emphasized the innovative nature of the project and itsimportance for the competitiveness of the province’s aerospace industry.
“By spurring innovation in aerospace technologies that meets the future needs of major order givers,the Québec industry is enhancing its capacity to create wealth in a highly competitive globaleconomy,” said Ms. Benoît.“
These significant investments will enable our companies to rise in the ranks of the globalmanufacturing industry, improve the positioning of our industry and increase Québec content in futureaircraft platforms,” she added.
The aerospace sector chief executives present in Québec City also underlined the extent of theeconomic impact of this industry which, although heavily concentrated in the Greater Montreal area,creates wealth for all Quebecers and helps to showcase Québecinternationally.
“The Québec aerospace industry is a major economic activity, providing high quality and well payingjobs, investing heavily in research and development, and promoting technological innovation for thebenefit of all Quebecers. The aerospace sector employs some 40,000 workers and generated sales of$12.4 billion in 2009, 80% from exports. The industry invests more than $600 million a year in R&D, or70% of the Canadian total,” concluded Mr. Labbé.
These messages were echoed today in the Québec National Assembly where, to mark the visit toQuébec City of the aerospace executives, politicians from all political parties unanimously adopted amotion recognizing the aerospace sector as a symbol of national pride.
About Aéro Montréal
Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, is a think tank that brings together all the major decision makers in Québec’s aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.
Aéro Montréal’s mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and focused actions to increase cohesion and optimize competitiveness. By fostering the growth and expansion of Greater Montréal’s aerospace cluster, it intends to make this industry an increasingly important source of wealth creation for the Montréal region, Québec and Canada.
Information:
Isabelle Fontaine
Tel: (514) 843-2331
Cell: (514) 473-7742