New Hampshire Consortium Signs with Montreal Group

The recently formed New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium has signed an agreement with a similar, Quebec-based organization, Aero Montreal, that lays the foundation for collaboration between Granite State businesses and one of world's premier aerospace clusters.

 

The signing took place Dec. 2, 2013, at the Aerospace Innovation Forum in Montreal, according to a story in New Hampshire Business Review.

 

"This is a big day for NHADEC and the state of New Hampshire," said Christopher Wrenn of Gentex Corp. in Manchester, chair of the New Hampshire consortium. "It's important because we are such a young organization and it gives us the opportunity to partner with an organization that has a long history in aerospace. Our members will learn a lot, but we have a lot to offer to Aero Montreal."

 

Calling it a "strategic collaboration," Aero Montreal President Suzanne Benoit said the agreement is a first step in forming a Quebec-New England aerospace corridor.

 

"The NHADEC is definitely a partner of choice," she said. "This strategic collaboration will provide major opportunities for Quebec's aerospace industry by encouraging trade and fostering partnerships between our two aerospace sectors."

 

The New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium was created in March of this year by the state's International Trade Resource Center to encourage and strengthen export sales. There are 70 member companies. About 300 New Hampshire companies and manufacturers have ties to the aerospace and defense industries.

 

Home to companies like Bombardier, Bell Helicopter and Pratt & Whitney Canada, Quebec's largest industry is aerospace-related and 98% of Quebec's aerospace activity is located in Montreal.

 

The agreement establishes preferred relations between the two organizations and encourages collaboration on such topics as training, research, joint trade missions, and supplier development initiatives.

 

The Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association signed a similar agreement.