The aeronautics and aerospace industries are in an ever changing state in St. Laurent and the closing of Honeywell represents a major blow for these unstable fields.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Aeronautics
The ups and downs of a rapidly moving industry
Bombardier is moving, Honeywell will soon close its doors, AAA arrives… some big players in the aeronautics and aerospace fields are packing and unpacking here in St. Laurent. While the arrival of new businesses in the borough’s Technoparc is sure to create new job opportunities, 200 Honeywell employees are now looking elsewhere to find work.
Aeronautics and aerospace have had their ups and downs lately and since those two highly technological industries are in a sense vital for St. Laurent, their well-being is consider rather important. And if you ask the many people working in those fields, they’ll tell you that they would prefer more stability over those constant changes. Some are worst than others, like the closing of the Honeywell factory. The United States-based headquarters will put a stop to their St. Laurent plant’s operations in August, after 77 years of existence. The decision was made after the lost of an important contract with the US Air Force and the rise of operating costs. The facility is specialized in the manufacturing and repairing of aeronautics parts, in control tools and also has a research and development department. The lack of investment apparently prevented the facility from staying competitive.
“It’s obvious that this will affect the people of our community and the ones coming here to work. We’ll do all we can to find means of resolution,” said Mayor Alan DeSousa when asked about the closing of Honeywell. Some of the means involve the mobilisation of Dévelopement économique Saint Laurent and finding someone who would be interested in moving in the vacant building. “The recession in the United States and the decrease in the number of export could have an impact here,” the mayor added.
Contrasting contracts
In the midst of the distressing Honeywell announcement, St. Laurent’s Technoparc was happy to learn that Bombardier will soon join its ranks. Around 1,500 employees will be brought together to facilitate the coordination between different departments.
“This is huge news for the Technoparc as it will strengthen our aeronautics branch,” said business development vice-president Lidia Divry. Things could get even better as Bombardier and Méchachrome are currently in talks to reinforce their business relation in the Technoparc.
(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Aeronautics
There are 45 aeronautics businesses located in St. Laurent, which account for around 25% of total work force in the province. International leaders like Bombardier Aerospace, CMC Electronics, Thales Avionics Canada, CAE and promising new players like Mechachrome Technologies and Mechtronix chose St. Laurent to expand their business operations.
Weather: Montreal, July 6th 2008 / 20°C
/ Fair
/ Wind: 15 Km/h / Humidity: 60 % 
by Sylvain Sarrazin 
Steven Guilbeault - 
