Washington state aerospace companies, partnership opportunities in the spotlight at Aeromart Montreal March 31-April 2
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, March 30, 2015 – A delegation of Washington state aerospace companies and Department of Commerce officials is connecting with industry decision-makers and government representatives from more than 28 countries this week at Aeromart Montreal.
Washington state produces leads all U.S. states in aerospace exports and is home to the Boeing’s revolutionary 777X and carbon-fiber wing programs. Located at Stand 1310, the Washington contingent will showcase its state’s global leadership in aerospace and promote an extensive portfolio of growth and partnership opportunities to more than 1300 participants expected at this unique business-to-business summit.
Executives from Washington-based aerospace suppliers Silicon Forest Electronics Inc., National Precision Bearing, Westwood Precision Inc., and Warm Industrial Nonwovens are in the Aeromart Montreal delegation led by Alex Pietsch, director of Washington state’s office of aerospace, and Amandine Noel-Crabtree, aerospace business development manager.
Canada is Washington’s second largest trading partner and state representatives aim to increase trade in the aerospace sector. Washington’s aerospace industry produces 1,300 commercial and defense aircraft annually, including Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and the next generation 737MAX and 777X, slated to enter service in the next few years.
“Boeing’s decision to assemble and deliver the 737MAX and 777X exclusively in Washington has restored the world’s faith in the state as the global leader in commercial aerospace,” said Alex Pietsch, Director of the state’s Office of Aerospace. “There are tremendous opportunities for companies around the world to build on this momentum. We look forward to sharing these with the suppliers from Canada and around the world at Aeromart Montreal.”
“Aeromart Montreal has already proved to be an important connection point with new customers,” said Tom Koetje, Director of Sales, National Precision Bearing Group, Mechatronics Inc..“We are eager to share our products and services with potential new customers in Canada and other markets. Without the coordination and support from the Washington State Department of Commerce, we would not achieve the same results at this show.”
Canadian companies are already investing in Washington’s aerospace industry. Longueuil, Québec-based Héroux-Devtek Inc., recently announced plans to establish a facility in Everett, WA where it will provide final assembly for the 777 and 777X landing gear. Aero-Flite, a subsidiary of Abbostford, B.C.-based Conair Group, Inc. last fall announced that it was relocating its headquarters and fleet of firefighting aircraft to Spokane, WA. These companies join a long list of companies, including GKN Aerospace, Space X, KUKA Systems, Hexcel, Crane Aerospace & Electronics, and Toray Composites America, that are either expanding or locating new facilities in Washington state.
Why Washington State?
Washington’s aerospace sector, which encompasses more than 1,350 companies and 132,500+ workers, produces 95 percent of all commercial aircraft made in the U.S.. They supply every major manufacturer and airline in the world, including Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer, from parts, interiors and avionics to services, and aftermarket equipment.
Boeing’s next generation aircraft, the 737MAX and 777X, offer businesses in Canada the chance to expand their partnerships and participate in one of the world’s premier supply chains. The new aircraft will feature new power plants, avionics and interiors that mirror the Dreamliner, Boeing’s first mostly composite aircraft. The new 777X will take advantage of lessons learned and use the largest composite wing ever manufactured – 235.5 feet (71.78 meters).
Businesses becoming part of the commercial airplane supply chain can take advantage of state tax incentives through 2040, as well as streamlined permitting, Pietsch said. For those companies interested in investing in U.S. companies, Washington’s extensive roster of aerospace-related firms offers excellent opportunities for acquisitions and mergers as well as capital infusions and joint ventures, he added.