Avcorp Opens New Facility
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Avcorp Industries Inc., one of Canada's leading aerospace industry manufacturers, officially opened its $34-million, state-of-the-art 300,000 square-foot production facility in Delta, B.C. today.
The move consolidates the Company's Aerostructures Division, previously housed in 6 different complexes in Richmond, B.C., with its Engineering Division and Corporate offices.
"The Virtual Factory" was the Grand Opening's theme and featured CATIA-designed aircraft structures and tooling, simulations of Dassault's robotic assembly equipment, and a factory automation display in conjunction with the National Research Centre. Peter Jeffrey, President and CEO, proudly welcomed M. Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman and CEO of Bombardier Inc. and Mr. Fred Mitchell, Executive Vice President of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group to participate in the opening ceremony with federal, provincial and municipal government officials.
New production work has started on the Avcorp-designed vertical and horizontal stabilizers for Bombardier's CRJ-700 Regional Jet and recent orders awarded by The Boeing Company for sheet-metal and machined components pertaining to interiors of all Boeing aircraft models. Additionally, long-standing contracts with other Bombardier and Boeing divisions, Bell Helicopter and Northrop Grumman provide a healthy backlog for all Avcorp divisions. In the last 12 months, employment in the Company's B.C. divisions has risen 34 percent to 550 design and manufacturing engineers, machinists, programmers and structural mechanics, bringing total Company employment to 800 people.
Mr. Jeffrey said, "It is appropriate for us to invest in this new, efficient and cost-effective facility which is designed for Lean Manufacturing philosophies such as Just in Time, Design for Manufacturing Ability and Single Minute Exchange of Dies to ensure global competitiveness in the years ahead."
Avcorp received a $4.4-million investment from Technology Partnerships Canada, a federal government initiative, to help fund 30 percent of the research development on the Canadair Regional Jet 700 Series contract with Bombardier. The British Columbia government also assisted by providing a $4.8-million second mortgage at commercial rates.
"This remarkable new facility is a tribute to Avcorp's visionary leadership, its commitment to innovation and the excellence of its people," said federal Industry Minister John Manley. "Avcorp is leading the growth of the aerospace sector in this province and demonstrating to the world that Canadian expertise in this dynamic sector extends across the country."
"Partnerships with the private sector are a critical part of our government's three-year plan to stimulate the economy, encourage investment and help create new jobs. More specifically, they show our support for B.C.'s growing aerospace industry and our desire to work together with companies like Avcorp to create a new and positive business climate," said Employment and Investment Minister Mike Farnworth.
Avcorp Industries Inc. is a single-source supplier for design, fabrication and assembly of metal, composite and plastic components and is comprised of four divisions: Aerostructures, Composites, Metal Products and Engineering.