Part Of $45 Million Investment In Facility
This week, Pratt & Whitney
Canada launched the second phase of a $45 million investment
program designed to increase the long-term competitiveness of its
Halifax facility. The company's aim is to transform Halifax into a
world-class, high-technology assembly and test aerospace
center.
Since 2006, P&WC has invested $21 million in its Halifax
facility to install state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and to
begin sub-assembly of engine components. P&WC will now build a
modern engine assembly line and test cell at the facility for an
additional investment of $24 million.
Starting in the fall of 2009, the new engine center will have
the capability of assembling and testing small to medium-sized
turbofan engines. These engines embody the latest materials, fuel
efficiency and environmental technologies available.
The new assembly and test line will require advanced training
for about 60 employees and create up to 25 new positions in
Halifax. The facility currently employs about 360 full time
P&WC employees.
"This investment to give the Halifax facility an advanced
technology mandate reaffirms our commitment to Nova Scotia for
years to come," said Benoît Brossoit, Senior Vice President,
Service centers & Operations, P&WC. "It will also bring
important new technologies and skill sets to the province and
create exciting opportunities for the local aerospace sector. It
will position our Halifax facility as a center of excellence in
aerospace engine manufacturing while strengthening Nova
Scotia’s positioning in the global aerospace industry."
The Government of Nova Scotia and P&WC will share the new
assembly and test line investment. The provincial portion totals a
maximum of $12 million and is payable from the Nova Scotia
Industrial Expansion Fund.
"This will be the first jet engine assembly and testing facility
to be built in Atlantic Canada, an important milestone for the Nova
Scotia’s growing aerospace and defence sector," said Premier
Rodney MacDonald. “We are investing in a world-class facility
that will help maintain and grow Pratt & Whitney Canada’s
presence in Nova Scotia."
"This joint investment with the Nova Scotia government will play
an instrumental role in providing highly skilled employment
opportunities, while increasing the high-technology content of the
work we perform in Nova Scotia," said Brossoit. "We also intend to
step up our collaboration efforts with local universities, such as
Dalhousie University, on targeted research projects that will help
prepare the next generation of highly-skilled aerospace workers
here in this province."
The first engine to be assembled and tested, when production
begins, will be the PW617 engine.