BOMBARDIER - How a Snowmobile Producer got to Dominates the Sky

How does a snowmobile manufacturer get to dominate the skies? Bombardier showed everyone how this is possible. Today the company is a multinational corporation with two major business divisions - Bombardier Aviation with headquarters in Montreal and Bombardier transportation based in Berlin.

But the story started a lot differently and quite long ago in the 1930’s when mechanic Joseph-Armand Bombardier built a vehicle that slides on snow. He was the man who produced the first snow mobile in Valcourt, Quebec in 1935 which transported children to school and acted as an ambulance. He built it using his own drive system model which was truly revolutionary for snow travel.

History and Highlights

The history of the company is long and full of ups and downs. The founder Joseph-Armand Bombardier got his first patent in 1937, within the next four-five years he founded his company named Bombardier Snow and opened his first factory.

He was still alive when the snowmobile started to become a global success. After his death in 1964 the company continued to develop in different business areas. Bombardier launched a watercraft the Sea-Doo and designed a brand new all-terrain vehicle – the ATV.

The acquisition of Canadair in 1982 propelled the business in a new direction – aviation. This is when the Aerospace business division was created.

By 2013 the company focused on two main business lines – aerospace equipment and rail transportation. These two sectors showed great potential for growth and profitability and complemented the business both operationally and financially.

Bombardier started acquiring companies in both industries becoming the leader in rail transportation. Learjet became a subsidiary which was a big step forward into the aviation industry.

But the real growth came in 2017 with a strategic partnership with Airbus. This gave Bombardier’s jet aircraft family global reach and allowed the company to scale and bring significant new value to shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers.

The Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010 were a proud moment for the company. Bombardier designed and manufactured the Olympic Torch as a symbol of the winter landscapes in Canada. It was a reminder of the origin of the company and represented the tracks left in the snow by winter sports.

Facts and Figures

The 2000’s saw Bombardier grow and turn into a global success. The company closed fiscal year 2018 with 16.24 billion in revenue. Currently, the focus of the business is on the strategic partnership with Airbus and the C series jets.

Some of Bombardier flagship models today are:

-          Bombardier Global Express

-          Bombardier Challenger 300

-          Regional airliners - Bombardier CRJ700 series

-          Business jets - Bombardier Challenger 600 series

Currently, Bombardier’s aerospace division produces two commercial and seven business jets. It is present in 28 countries and has a worldwide network of service centers.

Recognition and Awards

Throughout its long history Bombardier Inc. has received global recognition and an extensive list of awards in areas like business, research and development, design, execution, maintenance, corporate responsibility, employment and more.

In 2016 the company was named Canada’s top Research and Development Investor by Research Infosource after a $2.29 billion investment in 2015. Bombardier also received several important awards in the Automotive and Transport category.

Bombardier has been listed in the top 25 transportation companies of the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World Index. Also, the company has been listed on the 2018 Clean 200 Index and on the 2018 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada Index.

Since the 1930’s Bombardier has been growing and changing, continuing to explore new business endeavors. Still, the company is fulfilling its commitment to sustainability, top quality and involvement in the community.

 At the core of Bombardier’s strategy is the focus on solving for the world’s ever-growing need for mobility through innovation. The company is committed to help the world in a sustainable way through transportation.

Bombardier has made a name both globally and locally for high professionalism and best practices. And the story of how a snowmobile company from Valcourt , Canada became a worldwide leader in air and rail transportation continues to fascinate.

 More info at: https://www.bombardier.com/en/home.html