Heroux Devtek to build aerospace manufacturing facility in Mexico
May 2, 2011
By The Canadian Press
Heroux-Devtek Inc. is taking the long-awaited plunge and making an entrance into the Mexican marketplace to build a facility for its aerostructures and landing gear operations in Mexico.
The Quebec-based company’s first foray outside of Canada and the U.S. will be located in the Queretaro Aerospace Park. Local government approvals have been granted for construction that is slated to begin in the coming months on a 4,200-sq.-m facility.
The first phase of the project will be equipped with machinery for the production of aerostructure components.
The facility is expected to produce its first components early next year.
Heroux-Devtek said it will spend up to $20 million over three years on the first phase.
A subsequent phase will be added “in due time” to expand the plant to 13,500 sq. m. It would then be able to manufacture and assemble aerostructure and landing gear systems.
The Mexican manufacturing facility will be located near several aerospace original equipment manufacturers, including Bombardier Aerospace.
Heroux’s Mexican production line will make products for several customers, including Bombardier’s commercial and business aircraft.
Chief executive Gilles Labbe said the project will give Heroux-Devtek the “the capacity and the flexibility to capture additional business opportunities.”
Heroux-Devtek’s $175-million contract with Bombardier in February was expected to be a catalyst for it to finally set up shop in low-cost countries.
Under the extended contract, Heroux-Devtek will manufacture more than 300 structural components like fuselage frames and wing ribs for Bombardier planes, including the new composite CSeries and Learjet 85.
