Bombardier has signed a long-term lease agreement with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) to build a new high-tech manufacturing facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Ontario, Canada. Slated for completion in 2023, the one-million-square-foot facility will optimize final assembly operations for all of Bombardier’s family of Global business jets, including the Global 7500 business jet.
Preliminary site work is now underway in Mississauga for the new Global Manufacturing Centre, located approximately 20 km from the current Bombardier aircraft manufacturing site at Toronto/Downsview Airport (YZD) in Downsview, Ontario. After completion of the new facility at YYZ, Bombardier will continue to support the aerospace heritage of the Downsview site with a multi-million-dollar contribution to the Downsview Aerospace Innovation and Research Consortium (DAIR) to develop a visionary aerospace hub for academic research and training activities. The contribution includes CAD 2.5 million in capital funding to refurbish the historic Moth Building, where wartime Mosquito fighter bombers and Tiger Moth Trainers were produced.
“Today, I’m very excited to announce the relocation of our Global aircraft family production activities to a new, cutting-edge manufacturing facility at Toronto Pearson,” said Alain Bellemare, president and CEO, Bombardier, Inc. “This is a strategic move for Bombardier and a strong commitment to Ontario’s aerospace industry. It will allow us to offer world-class career opportunities and continue fueling the economic development of the region for years to come.”
The new Toronto assembly facility will combine thousands of Bombardier’s 68,000 worldwide employees who will be working with some of the highest-caliber technology in the aerospace industry, according to Bombardier. “With 21st-century production and tooling innovation, the manufacturing processes at the new Toronto Centre will include a state-of-the-art automated positioning system that uses laser-guided measuring to ensure major aircraft structures, such as the wing and fuselage, are joined consistently and perfectly each time. Combining human ingenuity with the most advanced machines, the Global 7500 final assembly line in Toronto is a testament to the industry’s most advanced business jet,” the company said.
Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said the new facility further adds to the already strong aerospace industry in Canada. “This new facility will showcase Canada’s aerospace industry, support our highly skilled workforce, and will be a hub for the world-class aircraft produced in the Greater Toronto Area. It will also demonstrate Bombardier’s leadership in business jets for years to come,” he said.
Bombardier’s commitment to the Greater Toronto Area will also leverage significant recent R&D investments and a continued collaboration with Ontario’s colleges and universities for world-class training, research and development. “We are thrilled to welcome Bombardier to Mississauga,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Bombardier could have chosen many other places in the world to locate their new Global Manufacturing Centre, but they have chosen Mississauga and for that, we are thankful. We look forward to working with Bombardier as they grow their business in Mississauga. Our city welcomes this investment as it will bring new, high-quality jobs, boost economic growth, and help raise Mississauga’s profile as a global aerospace hub, home to Canada’s largest aerospace cluster, where innovation thrives.”
