Minister Raymond Bachand Cuts Ribbon on New State-of-the-Art Facility
MONTREAL, Aug. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - ExelTech Aerospace Inc. ("ExelTech Aerospace", "ExelTech"), (TSX-V: XLT), Canada's largest publicly-listed commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul organization, today inaugurated North America's most advanced regional aircraft maintenance facility. Quebec Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade (MDEIE), Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Mr. Raymond Bachand, officially cut the ribbon at the brand new facility at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and declared the building open for business.
"This is Quebec innovation at its best," stated Mr. Bachand, addressing the gathering of ExelTech employees, customers and other invited guests. "ExelTech's new hangar facility is one of Canada's largest wood beam construction buildings, uniquely designed with respect for the environment, making use of wood from managed forests, Quebec's largest sustainable resource."
The $19 million 153,000 sq ft facility, which replaces an older building at the same airport, can handle up to ten regional jets and features advanced technical support capabilities, including the maintenance of composite materials, metallic structures, avionics and electronic systems and non-destructive testing. Once it is operating at full capacity it will employ more than 400 maintenance engineers, technicians and support staff, an increase of 100 over ExelTech's current employment levels. Together they will provide maintenance for Bombardier CRJ regional jets and ATR turboprops operated by airlines from throughout North and South America, Europe and other regions around the world.
"We've designed a facility that respects our social commitments while enhancing the working environment for our employees and customers," stated Derek Nice, Chairman and CEO of ExelTech Aerospace. "The building takes into account many LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines, including the use of locally sourced materials to reduce transportation costs; recycled and recyclable materials in office layouts; the use of natural light in open areas and shared offices; and ventilation and filtration systems that minimize dust and exhaust vapours vented to the atmosphere."
Perhaps the building's most unique feature is its wood beam construction. By replacing steel with wood harvested and processed in Quebec, ExelTech has built a hangar with a smaller carbon footprint than if built with steel but which incorporates the same structural strength. The use of wood throughout the building also adds a feeling of warmth to the working environment.
Designed and built from the ground up as a dedicated regional aircraft maintenance facility, the new building expands ExelTech's capacity while incorporating significant efficiencies that will drive increased profitability. It is a cornerstone of the company's plan for sustainable growth.
Although the new hangar clearly positions ExelTech as a leader in today's commercial aircraft maintenance industry, the company hasn't forgotten its roots.
"As the successor company to Quebecair, one of Canada's most innovative airlines, we trace our heritage back virtually to the beginnings of the aviation industry in this province," stated Mr. Nice. "We are acknowledging and celebrating this heritage in our largest conference room, by naming it 'the Quebecair Room'and proudly displaying there memorabilia as a testament to our past and as an inspiration for our future."
About ExelTech Aerospace
The third-largest commercial airframe Maintenance, Repair, and overhaul (MRO) vendor in Canada, ExelTech Aerospace is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and trades under the symbol XLT. The company holds Transport Canada, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA) approvals to maintain a range of aircraft and associated structures, components and systems. Aircraft models serviced by ExelTech Aerospace include Bombardier CRJ and Embraer ERJ regional jets, ATR42/72, Bombardier Dash 8 and Saab 340 family regional turboprops and Boeing 737 narrow bodies.
With close to 310,000 square feet of hangar, shop and office space in three facilities at Montreal and Quebec City, and with marketing offices in the US and Europe, ExelTech Aerospace provides maintenance repair and overhaul services to airlines in Canada, the US and 24 other countries around the world.
To learn more about ExelTech Aerospace Inc. (TSX-V: XLT), please visit our website at www.exeltech-aerospace.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has not reviewed and does not accept
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For further information: Jack Kwok, Director, Business Development, ExelTech Aerospace Inc., (514) 631-8999 ext. 2008, jkwok@exeltech-aerospace.com
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