Safran’s Messier-Bugatti-Dowty inaugurates new landing gear production unit in Mirabel, Canada

Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, 26-4-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Alain Sauret, Chairman and CEO of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (Safran), today inaugurated the company’s new landing gear production facility at its plant in Mirabel, near Montréal. The 300-attendee ceremony was officiated by Pauline Marois, Premier of Québec. Today’s inauguration represents the culmination of more than a year of construction, and total investments of C$58 million.

« I would like to join all the employees at Mirabel to say how proud we are to inaugurate this new unit featuring state-of-the-art technologies and environmental specifications,” said Alain Sauret. “Our new facility will enable us to strengthen our quality objectives and drastically reduce production lead times.”

The Premier of Quebec, Pauline Marois, emphasized Messier-Bugatti-Dowty’s major contribution, not only to the region and the city of Mirabel, but also to the entire industrial community of Quebec. She said, “Our aerospace industry comprises world-class companies such as Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, who can count on our skilled labor, a network of recognized universities and research centers, and the support of key organizations to coordinate the work of all stakeholders in this sector. I would like to thank Safran for choosing Quebec to develop its business.”

The company has received significant support from the Quebec government for its expansion and modernization program, through the Quebec Ministry of Finance and the Economy and from Investissement Québec, which allocated a non-refundable grant of C$7.4 million. The Canadian government, via Canada Economic Development, granted an interest-free C$3 million loan. According to Alain Sauret, “The presence of key players in the greater Montreal area, and the support of the Quebec and federal governments were both critical factors in our decision to expand the Mirabel plant.”

The progressive increase in production rates has brought impetus to significant investments within the plant. Two new machining lines are now being installed, along with major industrial machinery and equipment, including numerical control (NC) machine tools and systems for special processes. According to Stéphane Salvignol, General Manager of the Mirabel plant, “We supply structural landing gear parts for the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, as well as for the Airbus A320, A330 and A380. This expansion has become necessary to meet the growing needs of our customers. All the employees at Mirabel are very honored by the trust placed in our capabilities, and we are looking forward to meeting our current challenges of reducing lead times and improving productivity.”

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Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (Safran), is the world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems. Company capabilities encompass the full life cycle of our products, ranging from design and manufacture to in-service support, repair and overhaul. Messier-Bugatti-Dowty is a partner to 30 leading commercial, military, business and regional airframers, and supports more than 23,000 aircraft making over 40,000 landings every day. The company employs 6,800 staff working in locations across Europe, North America and Asia.

Opened in 1991, the Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Mirabel plant makes main fittings, a major structural part of landing gear, for the Airbus A320, A330, A380 and A350, and the Boeing 787. It is outfitted with state-of-the-art manufacturing, special processing and assembly equipment for large landing gear. The plant currently has 265 employees.

Safran has been present in Canada for more than 70 years in the aerospace equipment market and more recently the security sector. 1,200 employees work for six companies within the Group, including four manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Quebec.

SAFRAN CONTACT

Press Contact: (Quebec)
Josée Béland
T 514 264 2159
j.beland@figarocom.ca.

Press Contact (Messier-Bugatti-Dowty)
Alison Joly
Tel +33 (0)1 46 29 18 22
alison.joly@safranmbd.com