Manufacturing Industry News
Bombardier Aerospace today shared significant progress details on its all new Learjet 85 aircraft highlighting flight test aircraft production and program test milestones. The first shipments of wing spars and skins, manufactured at Bombardier’s site in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have arrived at the Queretaro site, where wing assembly has started. Read more:
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, is to open a new supply chain office in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. This new office will strengthen collaboration with key suppliers in a region that is widely recognized as the leading aerospace industry cluster in Mexico. Beverly J. Gaskin, Rolls-Royce, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Management – North America said: “Delivering excellence in our supply chain is critical in helping us meet our commitments to customers.” Read more:
Mexico’s aircraft manufacturing has become one of the country’s biggest growth areas. This is partially attributed to Mexico’s proximity to the United States and Canada, which together represent 60% of the global commercial aircraft market, according to the local Aerospace Industry Association (Femia). For some smaller manufacturers, following the larger companies and building OEM relationships might be the more successful entry strategy. Read more:
ProMexico’s Regional Director for North America, Jorge Lopez, explains the “when, what and how” in a short video commentary regarding the aerospace industry in Mexico. He discusses different parts of the region and their unique advantages.
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Mexico became the 41st country to enter the Wassenaar Arrangement, giving aerospace companies manufacturing in Tijuana a more efficient regulatory framework for exports controls and documentation. Read more:
Rising wages in China and a resurgent US auto industry are breathing new life into the maquilas in Tijuana. One of the most booming of border businesses is the aerospace industry. “People’s perception about what cross-border manufacturing, what maquiladoras are like, is still based upon what was happening in the 70s and maybe the 1980s,” said Kenn Morris, president of Crossborder Group, a San Diego-based market research firm. Morris said the aerospace industry along Mexico’s north-western border is nothing like the stereotype of overcrowded, low-skilled factories. Read more:
Aerocast operates a high-growth sand casting foundry that produces complex aluminum and magnesium castings primarily for the aerospace industry. Aerocast Inc. announces that Mexico has been developing as a viable low cost source to major aerospace manufacturers. According to an article in “Foundry Management & Technology” by Luc Beaudoin of AeroShores Management Consulting, “Mexico has seen the birth of an organized aerospace industry that now employs over 27,000 workers in more than 200 companies. Read more:
Aerocast Announces Mexican Developments in Aerospace Manufacturing
State and local government representatives, the U.S. Department of Commerce, ProMexico Intelligence Unit, the Tijuana EDC, and aerospace companies such as Cubic, Eaton, Parker, and Cobham representing the Baja California Aerospace Cluster met on November 15th, to initiate a program to increasing the growth of the Defense industry in the CaliBaja Bi-national Mega-region, looking to identify barriers and opportunities that Defense manufacturing companies are facing. Read more:
Bombardier plans to deliver 240 business and commercial aircraft this year. In early 2008, the company began developing the $18 million Learjet 85, Bombardier’s first all-composite aircraft. The company has constructed a facility in Queretaro, Mexico, dedicated to Learjet 85 fabrication, with planks/spars shipped from its plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Final assembly, interior work, painting and delivery will occur in Wichita, Kan., which the company is expanding considerably to accommodate the new aircraft. A total of 1,700 employees are assigned to the project. Read more: