QUERÉTARO, Mexico, Nov. 15, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX), a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace and industrial products, today proceeded with the official inauguration of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in the Querétaro Aerospace Park, in Mexico.
Construction of the 47,200 square-foot facility and installation of leading-edge equipment and machinery for the fabrication of aerostructure components has been completed. In addition, the General Manager of the facility, Mr. Michael Deshaies, and administrative personnel are already located on site. Production is set to begin in December 2011, slightly ahead of schedule.
This first phase represents an investment of up to $20 million by Héroux-Devtek over a three-year period. In due time, a subsequent phase could see the plant expanded to 150,000 square feet. Such expansion would eventually provide the Corporation with the capability to manufacture and assemble aerostructure and landing gear systems.
"Today's inauguration represents an important milestone in the evolution of Héroux-Devtek, as it significantly enhances our value proposition to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)," said Gilles Labbé, President and Chief Executive Officer of Héroux-Devtek. "This network expansion places Héroux-Devtek in a solid position to capture new business opportunities, as it will benefit from close proximity with the existing facilities of several global aerospace OEMs in Querétaro, including some of its largest customers. More importantly, this facility also improves our global competitiveness by further specializing each of our manufacturing sites, thus ensuring we provide our customers with value-added products and services at the most optimal cost."
"Through this new facility, Héroux-Devtek is proud to further contribute to the emergence of Querétaro as a world-class aerospace cluster. The Mexican aerospace industry is rapidly developing, and the presence of academic and scientific institutions in Querétaro provides a highly-qualified labour force as well as the infrastructure to support significant growth. We are looking forward to the pending production start at Héroux Devtek Mexico SA de CV," added Rick Rosenjack, Vice-President and General Manager of Héroux-Devtek's Aerostructure products.
About Héroux-Devtek Inc.
Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX), a Canadian company, serves two main market segments: Aerospace and Industrial Products, specializing in the design, development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of related systems and components. Héroux-Devtek Inc. supplies both the commercial and military sectors of the Aerospace segment with landing gear systems (including spare parts, repair and overhaul services) and airframe structural components. The Corporation also supplies the industrial segment with large components for power generation equipment and precision components for other industrial applications. Approximately 70% of the Corporation's sales are outside Canada, mainly in the United States. The Corporation's head office is located in Longueuil, Québec with facilities in the Greater Montreal area (Longueuil, Dorval, Laval and St-Hubert); Kitchener and Toronto, Ontario; Arlington, Texas; Springfield, Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; as well as Querétaro, Mexico.
About Querétaro, Mexico
Querétaro is the demographic center of Mexico with more than 45 million people in a 350-kilometer radius. Strategically located 220 kilometers north of Mexico City, Querétaro has developed into an important aerospace cluster with more than 50 international and national aerospace companies, such as Bombardier Aerospace, Eurocopter, Safran Group, Aernnova, Meggitt, GE, ITR and KUO. Querétaro hosts the National Aerospace University of Querétaro, the first R&D center specialized in the aerospace sector supported by CONACYT (R&D Mexican Federal Agency), as well as the Research and innovation Aerospace Network. The aerospace industry in Querétaro expects significant growth over the next few years.
