LGM Group and FACC invest in Greater Montréal

MONTREAL, April 23, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal International (MI) announces today that two aerospace firms, FACC and the LGM Group, will invest in the Greater Montréal region. The announcement was made at the 2013 Aeromart Montréal business convention, which was attended by Élaine Zakaïb, Minister for Industrial Policy and the Banque de développement économique du Québec.

MI has supported and advised the two companies in their projects. "Through the creation of new jobs and the transfer of specialized knowledge, these investments will have significant benefits for the Montréal region. Having foreign firms come here to develop their operations will help strengthen our position as a global leader in the aerospace industry" said Jacques St-Laurent, CEO of Montréal International.

LGM Group moving closer to its customers (www.lgmgroup.fr)
LGM Group, which specializes in the management and engineering of complex projects, is establishing itself in Greater Montréal to develop its operations in the Canadian market. The French company plans to invest more than $2 million and hire approximately 16 employees over the next three years.

"The decision to set up operations here is consistent with the Group's natural evolution," said Eric de Tocqueville, CEO of the LGM Group. "Growth on the international stage is a key part of our strategy, one which enables us to be closer to our customers. The fact that there is a strong industrial base in the aerospace and rail industries will allow us to better position ourselves with firms in Québec."

The company, created in 1991, is a leader in document engineering, risk control, program management, logistical support, onboard electronics and test benches. Present in a number of countries across Europe, the LGM Group has some 800 employees and its customers include firms such as Airbus, Dassault, EADS, Eurocopter and Safran. In Québec, Prefix Aerospace represents the LGM Group in its relations with major prime contractors in the aerospace and rail sectors.

FACC steps up the pace in Québec (www.facc.com)
Austrian company FACC will be adding 12 new employees to its existing workforce of 34 personnel at its Québec-based subsidiary, FACC Solutions (Canada). Specializing in business aircraft interiors, the Canadian subsidiary will develop a team responsible for co-operating with the Austrian parent company and Bombardier Aerospace on the design and development of new composite aerostructures.

"Our orders are increasing and we plan to hire more staff, particularly engineers and project managers, to enable us to collaborate on the interiors and structures of the Challenger 300, Global and CSeries aircraft platforms of our main client, Bombardier Aerospace," said Christian Zenko, CEO of FACC Solutions (Canada).

FACC is one of the world's leading designers, developers and producers of advanced fibre-reinforced composite components and systems for the aviation industry. Its range of products includes structural components for the fuselage and wings, engine components and passenger cabins for airplanes and helicopters. FACC is a supplier to all large aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Embraer, Sukhoi and COMAC.

Québec is world-renowned in its aerospace sector, and Greater Montréal is among the foremost international centres in the industry, along with Seattle and Toulouse. "With more than 42,000 jobs and sales in excess of $12 billion, the province's aerospace sector is home to a complete and competitive supply chain including prime contractors, high-quality equipment manufacturers and integrators and a network of almost 200 world-class SMEs" said Suzanne Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster. In 2012, Québec's aerospace industry ranked sixth in the world in sales volume, after the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

About Montréal International
Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign direct investments, international organizations and international strategic workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract $9.4 billion in foreign direct investments to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 49,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed almost half of some 60 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract and retain more than 8,000 international strategic workers.

SOURCE: Montréal International

For further information:

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
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