Aerospace, Industry Sector Summaries, Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade

skip to side bar • skip to page content

Aerospace

Sector Structure

Size: 2005 industry revenues are approximately $1.0 billion. An estimated 5,200 persons are directly employed in the industry in Manitoba.

Dominant Activities: Aerospace manufacturing, and repair & overhaul account for approximately 80% of industry revenues with aerospace training and services providing 20%.

Structure & Concentration

The industry is led by four world-class firms -- Boeing Canada, Standard Aero, Magellan Aerospace Limited -- Winnipeg (Bristol Aerospace), Air Canada Technical Services, and seventeen established regional and national firms.
The industry is supported by a large number of small to medium sized aerospace suppliers including precision machine shops, tool and die makers, precision sheet metal fabricators, plating and coating operations, and electronics companies.
A sophisticated training, education and transportation infrastructure provides further industry support.

Highlights

Manitoba’s state-of-the-art aerospace industry is the largest in Western Canada and home to a diversified cluster of world-class manufacturing, repair and overhaul, and service firms.
Ongoing capital investment in industry ensures the technological basis for a sustained competitive advantage.
Manitoba’s aerospace industry is intensely export oriented, serving hundreds of companies on every continent.

Sector Capabilities

Design, development, manufacture, & repair/overhaul of:
- composite aircraft components and assemblies
- engine components and accessories

Repair and overhaul of:
- commercial aircraft
- advanced alloy turbine engines
- piston engines and accessories
Precision machining and precision sheet metal fabrication of high strength metals and alloys
Spacecraft and payload design and integration
Sounding rocket design and integration
Development of advanced strategic target systems
Military pilot training

Competitive Strengths

Leading capabilities with respect to composite manufacturing and repair
- Boeing, Air Canada, Bristol Aerospace, Advanced Composite Structures and Acsion Industries all operate composite facilities in Manitoba. The Boeing composite manufacturing facility is the largest in North America.
- The new Composites Innovation Centre, located near the University of Manitoba, supports research, education and training in the field of advanced composite materials, with applications for aerospace, automotive, civil infrastructure, and other industries. The Centre provides access to advanced research tools, including highly sophisticated testing equipment.
Engine Repair & Overhaul
- Standard Aero Limited is the world’s largest independent small turbine engine repair and overhaul company. Based in Winnipeg, Standard Aero operates facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia. In March 2003, the company opened a new 40,000 square foot facility to house its new General Electric CF34 overhaul cell and test facility. Standard Aero’s proprietary component re-manufacturing processes allow the company to meet or
Space Systems & Components
- Bristol Aerospace is the only Canadian company involved in the design and manufacture of small satellites. Bristol was the prime contractor for the design, development, and integration for the science satellite, SCISAT-1, that was successfully launched in August 2003. SCISAT-1 is a Canadian-led mission to help scientists from around the world better understand our ozone layer. Bristol is presently designing a generic small satellite bus to meet the future requirements of a range of Canadian Space Agency (CSA) missions. The generic bus will provide low-cost access to space for science, Earth observation and technology demonstration missions.
State of the Art Training
- Military pilot training delivered by a Kelowna Flightcraft consortium and 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, both located at the Southport Aerospace Centre.
- Stevenson Aviation and Aerospace Training Centre provides training programs for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, at its $7.4 million Winnipeg facility and a leased facility at the Southport Aerospace Centre.

Key Players

Air Canada Technical Services
Boeing Canada Technology, Winnipeg Division
Bristol Aerospace Inc. (Magellan Aerospace Limited)
Standard Aero Limited

Contact Info:

Mr. Robert Manson,
Senior Project Manager
Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade
Phone: (204) 945-8741
Fax: (204) 957-3977
Email: rmanson@gov.mb.ca
Web: www.gov.mb.ca/iedm/
Web: Industry Consultants

Mr. Vic Gerden
Executive Director,
Manitoba Aerospace Association
Phone: (204) 471-9979
Web: www.manitoba-aerospace.mb.ca
Email: vicgerden@mts.net

C.T.T. Links:

S.T.E.M. Branches: