Bombardier evolves into leading jet maker through the power of family and innovation
The company has grown from a snowmobile manufacturer into a top name in business aviation, and is now focused on advancing the industry
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Bombardier chairman explains how people are key to his company flying high
It takes passion and hard work to build a business, but sustaining its success for years, and even decades, requires a far more extensive set of competencies. There is a need for constant innovation – adapting with the changing times to deliver products that fulfil current market needs.
Bombardier, the Canadian aircraft maker, is a case in point. When Joseph-Armand Bombardier founded the company more than 80 years ago, he focused on developing snowmobiles. His invention of the Ski-Doo personal snowmobile in the 1950s set the tone for an innovation-led culture that continues to thrive today.
In 1986, Laurent Beaudoin – the founder’s son-in-law who served as Bombardier’s long-time CEO – led the company into aviation with the acquisition of Canadair, an aircraft manufacturer known for the Challenger business jets and the CL-215 amphibious firefighting aircraft.
His son, Pierre Beaudoin, who is now chairman of Bombardier’s board of directors, explains how the move came about. “When the Canadian government decided to sell [Canadair], we were one of the two bidders. We won the bid, and we began our aerospace adventure.”
He adds: “There comes a point when we look at where we want to take the company for the future. We felt that business aircraft had great potential.”
Following this acquisition, Bombardier launched a regional aircraft programme which introduced smaller passenger jets. That, in turn, redefined regional air travel by making it more affordable for airlines to connect smaller cities to major hubs. With thousands of aircraft delivered, the programme was one of the most successful of its kind globally.
In the 1990s, the company furthered its journey into the aviation world by acquiring business jet maker Learjet and then launching the Learjet 60, a private jet that quickly became a top seller renowned for its performance and luxury. The latest version of this aircraft, the Learjet 75 Liberty, has built upon this legacy with a modern interior and advanced technology in the cabin.
