Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification (WD), capped off her Metro Vancouver visit by touring Delta-based Avcorp Industries yesterday.
Avcorp designs and builds major airframe structures for aircraft companies across the globe.
Avcorp was subcontracted to build outboard wings for the new generation of U.S. Navy F-35 stealth fighters in 2010.
The contract saw the creation of approximately 75 jobs at Avcorp and represents more than US$500 million in revenue over the next 10 to 15 years for the company.
This week, the first set of plane wings were being prepared for final assembly at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Forth Worth, Texas.
While at Avcorp, Yelich met with Avcorp president and CEO Mark van Rooij and stopped to talk with employees.
“Avcorp's success is an excellent example of western Canadian aerospace innovation at its best,” said Yelich.
WD works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
Jennifer Harrison
@JHarrisonBIV