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NLIS 9
May 18, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)


Team Cormorant places $2 million order with Newfoundland Bonding & Composites

Team Cormorant�s support for Newfoundland Bonding & Composites (NB&C) continues with the announcement today of a $2 million order for the Gander-based company to produce composite parts for the family of Lynx and Cormorant helicopters manufactured by GKN Westland Helicopters.

Team Cormorant, which includes founding partners GKN Westland Helicopters of the U.K. and Agusta, a Finmecannica Company of Italy, has been active in Gander over the last two years providing over 3,000 man-hours of specialist training and a significant amount of technology transfer in the design, planning and construction of the NB&C facility.

"This a tremendous success story for the province and today�s announcement of a $2 million order demonstrates Team Cormorant�s commitment to the success of this venture in Gander," said Premier Tobin. "I am pleased to see that this joint initiative between NB&C, Team Cormorant and our government is creating positive results for Gander."

"We were here one year ago to announce the opening of this state-of-the-art facility. We are very pleased to continue to support NB&C with work orders, including today�s announcement of a $2 million order for critical parts of the Cormorant and Lynx family of helicopters sold around the world," said Norman Dyer, business director for Team Cormorant. "We are keeping our commitment to NB&C and to the Canadian aerospace industry."

"This order for composite parts is good news for NB&C and for Gander," said Bob Gosse, president of NB&C. "It is the result of the good relationship we enjoy with Team Cormorant, and promises to deliver an increasing number of long-term business opportunities in the international aerospace industry. NB&C is poised to become a Canadian leader in the rapidly growing market for composite materials and bonding technology."

CHC Helicopter Corporation, Agusta, GKN Westland, along with several other leading companies from across Canada, make up Team Cormorant. Together in 1997, they led a successful bid to replace the Canadian Armed Forces� retiring fleet of Search and Rescue Labrador helicopters.

"My department of Industry, Trade and Technology works in cooperation with the federal government, major corporations, and local companies to pursue opportunities through the Canadian Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Program. This is one example of the type of results that can be achieved when we all work together to diligently pursue these contracts, which benefit people in our region," said Sandra C. Kelly, MHA for Gander district and Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology.

"Team Cormorant is expanding business opportunities with Canadian aerospace as part of the industrial benefits program related to Canada�s selection of the Cormorant Search and Rescue Helicopter. Discussions are already underway with NB&C for long-term manufacturing contracts for Agusta�s A109 and A119 helicopters," said Gabriele Galleazzi, sales director for Team Cormorant.

NB&C�s 60,000 sq. ft. advanced production facility, which is capable of doubling in size, accommodates a full range of leading-edge manufacturing, testing and repair equipment. With the latest design in bonding presses, ultrasonic ply cutters, tensile testers, and adhesive and sanding booths, Newfoundland Bonding & Composites manufactures a variety of components and structures for the aerospace industry, including aircraft fuselage parts, tail unit fairings, ducting and interior panels.

Media contacts:
Heidi Bonnell, Premier�s Office, (709) 729-3960.
Jackie Simon, Industry, Trade and Technology, (709) 729-0050.
Bob Gosse, Newfoundland Bonding & Composites, (709) 651-5700.

2000 05 18                                                     2:15 p.m.


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