The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X has been conducting flight testing at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Mirabel, but production of the company’s new light single will shift to Lafayette, La. Bell Helicopter Photo
Bell Helicopter president and CEO Mitch Snyder said he was “committed to Canada” despite a recent round of layoffs at the manufacturer’s facility in Mirabel, Que. — the second in the last year — that has reduced the workforce at the plant to about half of its peak of about 2,000.
With Bell having invested in new commercial lines in Amarillo, Texas (for the upcoming 525 Relentless), and in Lafayette, La. (which will produce the 505 Jet Ranger X), Snyder, who was speaking at a press conference ahead of the opening of HAI Heli-Expo 2016 in Louisville, Ky., was asked about the future of the Canadian facility.
“We’re definitely committed to Canada, and we’re definitely committed to Mirabel,” he said. “Even . . . with the commercial business hit hard recently, we’re absolutely committed to Mirabel, we’re going to continue, and we’re going to have a new product line up there.”
In February, Bell cut 200 jobs in Mirabel — this followed on from 300 layoffs at the plant last year. The cuts were part of reductions across the manufacturer’s global workforce, as it worked to adapt to the difficulties the industry as a whole is currently facing.
“It’s been a really tough environment, [a] tough market out there — at least on the commercial side,” said Snyder, who revealed that Bell delivered 175 aircraft in 2015, which was three less than in 2014. However, he was quick to highlight the company’s successes last year, including the launch of the 407GXP with an order for up to 200 aircraft from Air Methods, an order for 150 UH-X aircraft (which is based on the Bell 412EPI) for Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, and the first flight of the 525, which has now accumulated nearly 80 letters of intent.
The 505 program also offers great promise, with letters of intent for more than 350 aircraft secured, and the three flight test vehicles recording a combined 500 hours of flight.
“Given that commercial market, you can see we made great strides in progressing that commercial side of the business,” said Snyder. “We really believe that we have hit the mark here with the . . . 505 and 525.”
