Aéro Montréal, ASU's Aerospace & Defense Research Collaboratory join forces
Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster of Québec, and the Aerospace & Defense Research Collaboratory, led by Arizona State University, signed a framework agreement on cooperation during the 49th International Paris Air Show. The signing took place this month in the presence of Don Cardon, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, and Clément Gignac, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade of Québec.
“The signing of this agreement demonstrates Arizona’s sincere commitment to fostering growth within the aerospace and defense industry,” said Cardon “This strategic partnership is a perfect example of global partners coming together to meet industry demand.”
“The signing of this cooperation agreement clearly demonstrates Québec’s leadership in the global aerospace industry,” said Gignac, “This is a real opportunity for the sector to benefit from the expertise of a foreign partner in research and to build bridges and forge alliances with companies and research centers in Arizona. Canada and Arizona have roughly $2 billion dollars of trade in the aerospace and defense sector. We want to make it grow.”
Suzanne M. Benoît, president of Aero Montréal, welcomed this collaboration agreement, saying it will provide significant benefits to Québec’s aerospace industry. “We share similar objectives and strongly believe in the potential for dialogue on mutual challenges” she said. “Québec aerospace industry has been mobilizing to stay competitive and maintain its global position. Such agreement will certainly help our companies here in Québec”.
The agreement declares the intent of both parties to exchange information about the possibilities of taking part in local and international projects and programs; to exchange information about training, conferences, seminars or cooperation days; to invite each other to their respective events; to organize jointly economic missions or broker meetings for the members of both clusters; and to define possibilities of research projects for members of both organizations.
Mitzi Montoya, vice provost and dean of Arizona State University’s College of Technology and Innovation, said “The Aerospace and Defense Research Collaboratory is pleased to announce this collaborative agreement with Aéro Montréal. We are both committed to a collaborative approach and look forward to developing a close working relationship to the benefit of both our organizations.”
Anshuman Razdan, director, research development, in ASU’s College of Technology and Innovation, and project director of the Aerospace & Defense Research Collaboratory, added: “ADRC started out with a research focus but it has grown to be the foundation for collaborations between research universities and industry in Arizona. Cooperative arrangements with external partners like Aero Montreal will create new opportunities of research and add to the strength of university-industry partnerships in Arizona and Quebec in coming years”.
In general, this agreement involves the exchange of information on programs to optimize the supply chain and on product offers and needs of cluster members. It also encompasses reciprocal support for research projects undertaken by their members and collaboration with regard to market intelligence and international benchmarking, as well as the sharing of best practices, among others, during international forums.