Leader in aeronautics equipment - Switzerland's Liebherr Group expands in
Laval

MONTREAL, July 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Liebherr Group of Switzerland, whose specialties include aeronautics equipment, will be expanding its facilities in Laval to accommodate the assembly and testing of the landing gear for Bombardier's CSeries aircraft. Liebherr-Aerospace Canada, which receives support from Montréal International, the Québec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Invest Québec, Canada Economic Development and Laval Technopole, plans on hiring about 35 employees. The announcement of this investment, valued at more than CDN$9 million over the next three years - $3.8 million of which are for capital expenditure - was made today at the Farnborough International Airshow in England.

Liebherr-Aerospace develops and manufactures air management systems, flight controls, actuation systems and landing gears. These systems are installed on business and commercial aircraft, helicopters and military aircraft. Over the years, the company has showcased its technological know-how by taking part in several large-scale programs for several aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus (notably by equipping its entire aircraft family) and Bombardier Aerospace.

"Bombardier is a very important client for Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS. Its CSeries aircraft program, in which we are involved with the landing gear and air management systems, represents a significant stake for our division. Liebherr-Aerospace Canada's expansion is part of our ongoing commitment to Bombardier Aerospace, which began in 1994 with the Global Express aircraft program, and has since been regularly stepped up with each new program. Our relationship with Bombardier has been strengthened through continuous search for performance, efficiency and productivity, as well as the proximity of our teams, which is the highest priority for Liebherr-Aerospace Canada. We believe that this investment in Liebherr-Aerospace Canada will contribute to the success of the CSeries aircraft program and we are proud to bring our support for Bombardier Aerospace to the next level," said Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS President, Francis Niss.

"We are very pleased to welcome this major project to our territory and we are proud to be taking part in it. This announcement further reinforces Montréal's position among major international aeronautics centres. For a few years now, we have been working very hard to create a competitive environment to attract major industry players here, in the Québec aeronautics cluster. Our efforts have paid off; today, Québec is ranked sixth in the world in terms of sales and the aeronautics sector has become a true economic engine," said Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Clément Gignac.

"Laval contributes to the Greater Montréal industrial base, as illustrated by the arrival of Liebherr on our territory in 2002. We are particularly pleased about Liebherr's planned expansion because it confirms the company's commitment to Québec and Canada, and because it fits perfectly with Laval's efforts to develop an added-value economy. Laval's growth is increasingly the result of expansion by businesses already established here, as shown by the industrial investment results," said the Mayor of Laval, Gilles Vaillancourt.

"The Laval expansion of an industry-leader such as Liebherr reinforces the reputation of Greater Montréal as a world-class centre of high knowledge in the aerospace sector. The company will benefit from the many advantages offered by the aerospace cluster, notably, abundant and highly skilled labour," underscored the President and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal International, Jacques St-Laurent.

About Liebherr Group

Liebherr Group was established in 1949, and today it is not only one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery but is also an acknowledged supplier of technically innovative user-oriented products and services in numerous other fields. The company employs a workforce of over 32,000 in more than 100 companies on all continents. For more information, go to www.liebherr.com.

About Montréal International

Montréal International (MI) was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and qualified foreign workers, as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract more than $7.5 billion in foreign investment to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 43,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed more than 25 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract more than 4,000 qualified foreign workers. To learn more, please visit MI Web site at: www.montrealinternational.com.

Note to editors

Bombardier, CSeries and Global Express are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For further information: Benoît Lefèvre, Communications Advisor, Montréal International, Tel.: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Stéphane Rioux, Managing Director, Liebherr-Aerospace Canada, Tel.: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]