Elevating Aerospace Innovation: Ontario Government Supports Advanced Manufacturing In Kitchener

May 14, 2010 07:14 AM US Eastern Timezone

This investment supports the province’s new five-year Open Ontario Plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario, Canada is helping an aerospace technology company in Kitchener enhance its operations and create jobs.

“Working with companies like Héroux-Devtek to stay at the forefront of their field helps keep our manufacturing sector competitive and attract jobs and investment to the province”

The province is supporting Héroux-Devtek, which manufactures landing gear for airplanes. The company is investing in new technology and equipment that will help meet the technical and quality standards of the company’s aerospace customers. With this new technology, the company will be able to bid on more contracts and grow its business at the Kitchener plant.

Ontario is providing a grant of $3.975 million (£2.67 million) that will support a total project investment of $26.5million (£17.8 million), retain 20 existing positions and create 20 new jobs over the next five years.

The project also offers environmental benefits as less raw materials will be used during the manufacturing process, and lighter aircraft parts will result in lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions for aircraft travel.

This investment supports the province’s new five-year Open Ontario Plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

“Working with companies like Héroux-Devtek to stay at the forefront of their field helps keep our manufacturing sector competitive and attract jobs and investment to the province,” said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

“This investment program is another key milestone in the ongoing development of our Kitchener facility and highlights its strategic importance for the company's development. Héroux-Devtek is committed to providing the very best quality and service for its customers and to continually invest in state-of-the-art technology and the skills of its employees,” said Gilles Labbé, President and Chief Executive Officer of Héroux-Devtek.

QUICK FACTS

The project is being supported under the Next Generation of Jobs Fund.
Héroux-Devtek’s Kitchener facility also received a $2.85-million (£1.9-million) loan from the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy, announced January 8, 2008, that helped establish the company’s Centre of Excellence for Large and Complex Landing Gear Components.
Ontario’s aerospace and defense industry employs around 19,000 people with annual sales of approximately $4 billion (£2.7 billion) (source: Stats Canada), about 80 per cent of which are exports. Ontario companies represent a significant portion of worldwide landing gear production.
As a result of business tax cuts and the move to a harmonized sales tax, the tax on business investment in Ontario is being cut in half, making Ontario businesses more competitive.

LEARN MORE

Check out government-funded programs and services for Ontario businesses.
Read about Open Ontario, the government's five-year plan for the economy.
Learn how Ontario’s comprehensive tax plan, including the HST, will help support business.

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