Bombardier Aerospace

The world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and services for the business, regional and amphibious aircraft markets. Bombardier Aerospace Group - North America, which includes Canadair and de Havilland, is a world leader in the production of commuter jets. Bombardier operates 10 manufacturing and services facilities in Canada and a total of 7 facilities in the United States and Germany. Bombardier is also a major manufacturer of passenger railcars. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier Aerospace employs more than 28,000 people worldwide. Bombardier Aerospace's revenues amounted to $2.3 billion for the three-month period ended October 31, 2008. The company's backlog stood at $26 billion as at October 31, 2008, reflecting a solid level of 68 net orders, while 80 aircraft were delivered.

Today's Bombardier grew out of a young mechanic's inventive genius and entrepreneurial spirit. Born in 1907, Joseph-Armand Bombardier builds his first "snow vehicle" at the ripe age of 15. His motivation? To help people travel across the snow-covered roads of rural Québec in Canada. In 1937, J.-Armand achieves his first major commercial success with the launch of the seven-passenger B7 snowmobile. Joseph-Armand Bombardier never abandons his dream of inventing the perfect personal snowmobile. His persistent experimentation eventually spawns a brand-new industry: snowmobiling. In 1959, he launched his world-famous Ski-Doo.

The 1973 oil crisis forced Bombardier to halve its snowmobile production. Laurent Beaudoin and his management team responded by redeploying the company's excess manufacturing capacity. They acquire mass transit technologies and apply Bombardier's manufacturing know-how to build rolling stock. In 1974, Bombardier wins its first mass transit contract to manufacture 423 cars for the city of Montréal's subway system. A breakthrough $1 billion US contract to supply 825 subway cars for the New York City Transit Authority positions Bombardier as the North American leader in rail transit. In 1986, Bombardier expanded in Europe, the world's largest rail equipment and services market, acquiring a 45% interest in the Belgian manufacturer BN Constructions Ferroviaires et Métalliques S.A. In 1989, Bombardier acquired ANF-Industrie, France's second largest manufacturer of railway equipment.

In 1986, Bombardier diversified again, this time, entering the aerospace industry. It purchased Canadair, the leading Canadian aircraft manufacturer of Challenger widebody business jets and the CL-215 amphibious firefighting aircraft. Three years later, Bombardier launches the 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program and revolutionizes regional air travel. A 70-seat version follows in 1997 (CRJ700), an 86-seat version in 2000 (CRJ900) and a 100-seat version in 2007 (CRJ1000). In 1989 Bombardier acquired Short Brothers plc, the pioneering aviation manufacturer based in Northern Ireland. With this acquisition, Bombardier reinforced its aerospace capabilities and establishes a European presence in the industry.

The acquisition of Learjet Corporation's assets in 1990 gave Bombardier access to the American aerospace industry and the most complete range of business jets on the market. Bombardier promptly launched the Learjet 60 aircraft, the first midsize business jet, which would rank as the top-selling aircraft in its class four years later. In 1992, Bombardier acquired Boeing's de Havilland division, based in Canada, manufacturer of the Twin Otter aircraft and Dash turboprop airliner. De Havilland's Dash 8 turboprop and the CRJ Series establish Bombardier as one of the world leaders in regional aircraft.

In 2000, Bombardier acquired Skyjet.com, a pioneer in real-time online air charter reservations. Bombardier expands this service in 2005 with the launch of Skyjet International, giving travellers unrestricted access to more than 900 business jets worldwide. In 2002, Bombardier launches the Bombardier Global 5000 super-large business jet. A year later, the company adds the Global Express XRS ultra long-range business jet. This aircraft combines superior transatlantic speed with the largest cabin in the super-large segment, the summit of accomplishment in the world of business jets. The Challenger 605 intercontinental business jet and Learjet 60 XR midsize business jet follow in 2005. Also in 2005, Bombardier launches the Challenger 800 Series corporate shuttles, the latest evolution of its flagship Challenger, undisputed champion of the large business jet category.