Canada welcomes composite manufacturing consortium

If Boeing has its way, Canada may soon be the new manufacturing hub for advanced composite materials.

The aerospace giant recently announced that it will help launch a new research and development consortium designed to strengthen the sector in Canada.  The Canadian Composites Manufacturing Research and Development consortium (CCMRD) will bring together major aerospace companies and small-to-medium sized enterprises to develop and transform the latest technical and academic knowledge into practical solutions that will enhance Canada’s global competitiveness.

“A virtual R&D centre of this type is much needed in Canada,” said Anoush Poursartip, CCMRD chairman and Research director for Convergent Manufacturing Technologies, a member company. ”The CCMRD will help to advance the technological capabilities of Canadian industry whilst building stronger relationships between Canadian and international aerospace original equipment manufacturers, as well as Canadian material, equipment, component and software suppliers.”

The CCMRD was formed in cooperation with the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) in Winnipeg, National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC-IAR) in Ottawa, and The Boeing Company. Founding Canadian member companies include Bell Helicopter and Avior Integrated Products in Quebec; Comtek Advanced Structures in Ontario; Convergent Manufacturing Technologies and Profile Composites in British Columbia; and Bristol Aerospace, a division of Magellan Aerospace Ltd. and Cormer Group Industries Inc. in Manitoba.

The CIC is responsible for CCMRD administration, with projects to be carried out at member companies across Canada. NRC-IAR will participate as a technology advisor, providing insight and direction based on its leading-edge knowledge of the composites aerospace industry.

In addition to financial support, Boeing will provide technical expertise and project guidance through its central research, technology and innovation organisation, Boeing Research & Technology. Boeing Canada Operations Ltd. in Winnipeg will take part in CCMRD projects along with other consortium members.