In 2003, Brussels-based Asco Industries—a specialist in aircraft components such as flaps, slats mechanisms, engine mounts and landing gear—established a subsidiary near Vancouver called Asco Aerospace Canada Ltd. (AAC).
Asco had been searching for a North American location for four years, in order to be closer to major customers that include Avcorp, Bombardier and Boeing. Christian Boas, President and CEO of Asco Industries cites the assistance of the Canadian embassy in Brussels and of the provincial government in establishing the new facility in Delta. “Without their help, this deal would never have gone through,” says Boas. “Our goal in creating AAC is to grow business with current and new customers in the North American market. We also intend to invest in additional capabilities, such as design and ‘lean manufacturing´ techniques, in order to better position ourselves with our clients and to take on new projects for civil and military aircraft.” To this end, Asco plans to set up an engineering unit and introduce new production technologies at the 13,400 square metre facility in Delta, where the current staff of 45 is expected to double in order to meet the anticipated growth in production.
AAC provides precision machining and sub-assembly of structural airframe and landing gear components for the aerospace industry as well as precision-machined components. These are used in the Boeing 747, 757 and 777 aircraft as well as in Cessna´s new model 680 Sovereign business jet and Bombardier´s Dash 8 100/300 series