Aéro Montréal and North West Aerospace Alliance sign a strategic
collaboration agreement - Supply chain optimization the main focus

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, signed a framework agreement on cooperation with North West Aerospace Alliance, the United Kingdom's aerospace cluster, during the Farnborough International Airshow. This agreement aims to establish a special relationship between the two parties, increase the collaboration in supply chain optimization, and exchange benchmarking data.

Suzanne M. Benoît, CEO of Aero Montréal, welcomed the initiative, saying it will provide significant benefits to Québec's aerospace industry. "We share similar objectives for our respective members and strongly believe in the potential for dialogue on mutual challenges and the sharing of best practices, mainly in the area of supply chain optimization," she said.

"The signing of this cooperation agreement clearly demonstrates Québec's leadership in the global aerospace industry," said Clément Gignac, Québec Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade. "This is a real opportunity for the sector to benefit from the expertise of a foreign partner in supply chain management and to build bridges and forge alliances with companies in the United Kingdom."

Martin Wright, CEO of NWAA, added: "The North West Aerospace Alliance has developed significant expertise in the development and shaping of aerospace supply chains and we are pleased to announce this collaborative agreement with Aéro Montréal. We are both committed to a collaborative approach and look forward to developing a close working relationship to the benefit of both our organisations."

In general, this agreement involves the exchange of information on programs to optimize the supply chain and on product offers and needs of cluster members. It also encompass reciprocal support for research projects undertaken by cluster members and collaboration with regard to market intelligence and international benchmarking, as well as the sharing of best practices, among others, during international forums.

Aéro Montréal has established a network of clusters by signing similar agreements with Aerospace Valley, World Competitiveness Cluster Midi-Pyrénées & Aquitaine, Spatial SKYWIN, aerospace cluster of Wallonia, BavAIRia, the aerospace cluster of Bavaria, "Hamburg-The place for aviation" aerospace cluster of Greater Hamburg, and with Poland's Aviation Valley Association.

About the agreement signatories

About Aéro Montréal

Aéro Montréal, Greater Montréal's Aerospace cluster, is a think tank that brings together all the major decision makers in the region's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.

Aéro Montréal's mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and focused actions to increase cohesion and optimize competitiveness. By fostering the growth and expansion of Greater Montréal's aerospace cluster, it intends to make this industry an increasingly important source of wealth creation for the Montréal region, Québec and Canada.

About North West Aerospace Alliance

North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) is an organization representing companies and stakeholders involved in England's North West Aerospace Cluster. Its mission is "to provide a fully integrated support structure for North West England aerospace companies."

The NWAA is responsible for shaping the industry through strategic thinking and delivery, by driving innovation and providing supply chain excellence and other business support programs. It achieves this through working with key stakeholders within the industry to develop products, services and supply chain development programs that will shape the industry for the future.

For further information: Amélie Hudon, Senior Communications Advisor, Aéro Montréal, Tel.: [phone], Cell: 514 262-8417, amelie.hudon@aeromontréal.ca; Ben Hewes, Freshfield PR, ([phone], ([phone], [email protected]