Aéro Montréal and the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance celebrate their collaboration at the Seattle Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit

MONTREAL, March 14, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, and the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), the Northwest source for aerospace services and information, have announced their collaboration with the signature of a letter of intent on the occasion of the Seattle Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit.

In Seattle, Aéro Montréal, accompanied by several SMEs involved in the MACH initiative - which aims at reinforcing supply chain competitiveness - emphasized its enthusiasm regarding the forthcoming agreement. "The possibility to take part in local and international projects that this alliance will bring about represents great opportunities for our industry" explained Suzanne M. Benoit, president of Aéro Montréal.

On his part, Kevin Steck, the Board Chair of the PNAA, explained that "with this agreement the businesses of both of our clusters will be better able to share ideas and business opportunities". 

The final agreement will be signed at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2012. It will involve the exchange of information concerning the two clusters' respective programs and initiatives as well as concerning offers made by cluster members and their particular needs. The agreement will also encompass the possibility of taking part in local and international projects, as well as reciprocal support for research projects undertaken by cluster members.

Since its creation, Aéro Montréal has established a collaborative network of clusters through agreements with: the Aerospace Valley World Competitiveness Cluster (Midi-Pyrenees & Aquitaine regions); SKYWIN, the aerospace cluster of Wallonia;  BavAIRia, the aerospace cluster of Bavaria; the Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region; Poland's Aviation Valley Association; the North West Aerospace Alliance in the UK; the Aerospace and Defense Research Collaboratory in Arizona and with ASIS Saxony, the aerospace cluster of Saxony, Germany.

About the agreement signatories

About Aéro Montréal
Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, is a strategic think tank that groups all the major decision makers in Québec'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 concerted actions to increase the cohesion and optimize competitiveness of Québec's aerospace cluster. It aims to foster the growth and expansion of the cluster so as to ensure that it may continue to create wealth for Montréal, Québec and Canada. To find out more about Aéro Montréal, visit www.aeromontreal.ca.

About the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance
The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) has been promoting the growth and success of the aerospace industry in the Northwest for over 11 years. Its primary purpose is to help grow and maintain a viable aerospace industry in the region. This is accomplished through frequent educational and networking events and informing members and participants of important industry changes and business opportunities.

A non-profit organization, PNAA derives sustaining support through membership and corporate sponsorships. Affiliates include Abbotsford Airport, Aerospace Industry Alliance of British Columbia (AIABC), Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC), Aviation Alberta, Bellevue College, CECOMPI (Brazil),  Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, Future of Flight Foundation, Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC), Manitoba Aerospace Association, Montreal Aerospace Association, Neidersachsen Aviation, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC), Quebec Aerospace Association (AQA), Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA), and Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle (TDA).  Sponsors include Acuity Solutions, CDG - A Boeing Company, Centers for Excellence for Aerospace & Advanced Materials Manufacturing, Consulate General of Canada/Seattle, Moss Adams, Niedersachsen Aviation (Germany), the Washington State Department of Commerce, The Boeing Company, Regence Blue Shield, and Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC).

Noémie Mourot
Project Director, Strategy and communication
Aéro Montréal
Cell : 514 571-2810
[email protected]a