Airbus Helicopters increases its commitment to Ontario manufacturing

Creating new high-skill manufacturing jobs in the Niagara region

FORT ERIE, ON, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Airbus Helicopters Canada (formerly called Eurocopter Canada) announced today that it will be adding a new production line at its Fort Erie, ON helicopter production facility, creating approximately 40 new high-skill manufacturing jobs.

Following a global competitive process the new production work has been awarded to Airbus Helicopters Canada by its parent company, Airbus Helicopters, based in Marignane, France. The Canadian facility will be making engine cowlings for the EC225. The EC225 is an aircraft sold in markets around the world and is known as the "workhorse" of the oil & gas industry, where it is used to transport workers to off-shore drilling rigs.

"With this multi-million investment - Airbus Helicopters is demonstrating its confidence in and commitment to Ontario and Canada," said Romain Trapp, chief executive officer of Airbus Helicopters Canada.

"This is very good news for the Niagara region," said Mr. Trapp. "This expansion of our composite department will also help protect the jobs already here as we continue to grow." Airbus Helicopters Canada is the largest employer in Fort Erie and an employer of choice in the Niagara region.

The Fort Erie facility is recognized as a Centre of Excellence for composite component manufacturing within Airbus Helicopters thanks to the expertise of its team and its competitive manufacturing capabilities. It produces several composite components for a variety of Airbus Helicopters' leading aircraft models which are sold internationally in more than 100 markets.

"This announcement recognizes Ontario as a good place to do business, particularly in advanced manufacturing," Mr. Trapp added.

"More than 50% of the new civil helicopters delivered in Canada over the last 10 years come from our facility. It demonstrates the success of our product range, the largest in the world, and how we have been able to customize it to the specifics of the Canadian market "noted Mr. Trapp. "We are proud of our contribution to the helicopter industry in Canada and around the world."

About Airbus Helicopters Canada
Airbus Helicopters Canada, formerly Eurocopter Canada, is a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters and a leading supplier of helicopters in Canada. Our helicopters are used across the country in key parapublic and civil roles which include: law enforcement, emergency medical services, oil & gas, mining, firefighting, hydroelectric utilities, environmental surveys, tour and corporate transport. Airbus Helicopters was established in Fort Erie, Ontario in 1984 and has additional operations in Richmond, British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec as well as a support and customer service network in place to support a fleet of over 670 helicopters in the country. The company is celebrating 30 years of success in Canada this year.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Employing approximately 23,000 people worldwide, Airbus Helicopters is the world's No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion euros. The company's fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters' international presence is marked by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters' range of civil and military helicopters is the world's largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company's chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who together fly more than 3 million hours per year.

SOURCE Airbus Helicopters Canada

Image with caption: "Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Economic Development for Southern Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and Airbus Helicopters Canada CEO Romain Trapp inspect a helicopter in production at the company's Fort Erie ON plant where 40 new high-skill jobs are being added to produce helicopter engine cowlings for the global market. (CNW Group/Airbus Helicopters Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140204_C7498_PHOTO_EN_36243.jpg?format=auto&width=1400