Aerospace Industry and Bell Press for a ‘Buy for Canada’ Strategy

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Bell has a long and rich history building helicopters in Canada, for both Canadian and global customers. Producing more than 5,200 helicopters in Quebec, Bell in Canada plays a key role in the country’s economy. Socioeconomic research company founder and CEO Nicole Verkindt of OMX states Bell Textron Canada contributes $848 million a year to the country’s GDP, sustaining 6,243 jobs across the country.

Today, Canada’s aerospace sector faces unprecedented challenges and the country’s position as the fifth largest aerospace industry on the planet is slipping. Industry thought leaders are calling for support and a strategy.

“Aerospace manufacturing in Canada Aerospace contributes 28 billion dollars annually to the national economy,” states Jim Quick, Former President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). As for one thing that could benefit the challenged industry, Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, states, “Bell needs what every current aerospace company needs, a stronger partnership with the Canadian government.”

AIAC previously outlined suggestions for strengthening the sector in its Vision 2025 report, including a Buy for Canada strategy. And, Bell customers like Zach Petrachek, president of OG6 Enterprises, agree that buying Canadian is a source of pride, especially when it means protecting jobs.

While every sale of a Bell helicopter made in Canada protects highly-skilled jobs from coast to coast to coast, a significant portion of the sector supported is in Quebec. In 1986, Bell chose Mirabel, QC as the home of its commercial aircraft assembly and delivery center of excellence. Since its founding, Aero Montreal president and CEO Suzanne Benoit acknowledges Bell as a model company working with suppliers so they can reach excellence themselves. 

This year, Bell celebrates its 35th year of building helicopters in Canada.

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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