Aerospace

Aerospace Industry Map | Business Opportunities in the Aerospace Industry | Global Trade

Sector Structure

Size: 2006 industry revenues exceeded $1.3 billion. An estimated 4,900 persons are directly employed in the industry in Manitoba.

Dominant Activities: Aerospace manufacturing, and repair & overhaul account for approximately 80% of industry revenues with aerospace training and services providing 20%.

Structure & Concentration

• The industry is led by four world-class firms -- Boeing Technology Canada, Standard Aero, Magellan Aerospace Limited – Winnipeg (Bristol Aerospace), and Air Canada Technical Services, as well as 23 established regional and national firms.

• The industry is supported by a large number of small to medium sized aerospace suppliers including precision machine shops, tool and die makers, precision sheet metal fabricators, plating and coating operations, and electronics companies.

• A sophisticated training, education and transportation infrastructure provides further industry support.

Highlights

• Manitoba’s state-of-the-art aerospace industry is the largest in Western Canada and home to a diversified cluster of world-class manufacturing, repair and overhaul, and service firms.

• Ongoing capital investment in industry ensures the technological basis for a sustained competitive advantage.

• Manitoba's aerospace industry is intensely export oriented, serving hundreds of companies world wide.

Sector Capabilities

• Design, development, manufacture, & repair/overhaul of:
  
  • composite aircraft components and assemblies
  • engine components and accessories
• Repair and overhaul of:
  • commercial aircraft
  • advanced alloy turbine engines
  • piston engines and accessories
• Precision machining and precision sheet metal fabrication of high strength metals and alloys
• Spacecraft and payload design and integration
• Sounding rocket design and integration
• Development of advanced strategic target systems
• Military pilot simulator and flight training.

Competitive Strengths

• Leading capabilities with respect to composite manufacturing and repair
  • Boeing, Air Canada, Magellan Aerospace, Advanced Composite Structures and Acsion Industries all operate composite facilities in Manitoba. The Boeing composite manufacturing facility is the largest in North America.
  • The Composites Innovation Centre, located near the University of Manitoba, supports research, education and training in the field of advanced composite materials, with applications for aerospace, automotive, civil infrastructure, and other industries. The Centre provides access to advanced research tools, including highly sophisticated testing equipment.
• Engine Repair & Overhaul
  • Standard Aero Limited is the world's largest independent small turbine engine repair and overhaul company. Based in Winnipeg, Standard Aero operates facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia. In June 2006 Standard Aero signed a multimillion-dollar deal to repair and overhaul Rolls Royce T56 engines from NATO countries. The contract includes a buying agreement that allows all NATO member countries to obtain engine maintenance services from Standard Aero at competitive rates and cost certainty, while reducing administrative red tape. The T56 engine family powers the Lockheed Martin C-130 and P-3 aircraft.
• Advanced Manufacturing
  • In July 2006 at the Farnborough Airshow, BAE Systems announced that it had signed a partnering agreement with Magellan Aerospace Corporation for the production of advanced composite empennage assemblies for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
• State of the Art Training
  • In 2006, Allied Wings completed construction of a new hangar and state-of-the-art training and simulation facility at Southport Manitoba. The new buildings will support the twenty year contract to provide primary flight training and specialized helicopter and multi-engine fixed wing pilot training to the Canadian Air Force at the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School. The $1.77 billion DND Contracted Flying Training contract was awarded to the Allied Wings consortium in 2005. Led by Kelowna Flightcraft, other team members include Canadian Helicopters Ltd, Canadian Base Operators, and Atlantis Systems International Inc.

Key Players

• Air Canada Technical Services

• Boeing Canada Technology, Winnipeg Division

• Standard Aero Limited

• Magellan Aerospace Limited ( Bristol Aerospace Inc.)

Related Links

• Manitoba Companies Directory  

• Manitoba Aerospace Companies Directory | PDF

• Manitoba Business Facts

• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

• Winnipeg Airports Authority

Contact Info:

Mr. Robert Manson,
Senior Project Manager
Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade
Tel: 204-945-8741
Fax: 204-957-3977
E-mail: robert.manson@gov.mb.ca
Web: www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/

Mr. Vic Gerden
Executive Director,
Manitoba Aerospace Association
Tel: 204-471-9979
Fax: 204-489-7024
E-mail: vicgerden@mts.net
Web: www.manitoba-aerospace.mb.ca