Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC), a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, is ranked the No. 1 R&D investor in Canada’s aerospace sector in the new list of Canada’s Top 100 Corporate R&D Spending.
P&WC invested $472 million in research and development in 2005, as announced by RE$EARCH Infosource Inc., a leading Canadian provider of research intelligence for business and higher education. “This announcement reaffirms Pratt & Whitney Canada’s leadership position in R&D investment and reflects our firm commitment to innovation in aerospace,” said Walter Di Bartolomeo, Vice President, Engineering, P&WC.
P&WC has invested more than $2 billion in R&D over the past five years. It has brought an unmatched record of more than 50 new engines into production over the last decade, and is currently working on 20 new engine programs.
P&WC’s R&D projects centre on key technologies to ensure new engines meet emerging stringent environmental standards and offer improved fuel efficiency. P&WC also ensures that engines can be developed quickly with the best manufacturing technologies, while offering the best reliability and safety.
“We are especially proud of our extensive collaboration with some 20 universities across the country on over 600 research projects designed to develop new engine technologies for the next generation of aircraft,” added Walter Di Bartolomeo.
“Our partnership with Canada’s universities is a key component of our R&D strategy to develop key emerging engine technologies and maintain our leadership position in the global aerospace market,” noted Hany Moustapha, senior fellow and manager, P&WC Technology Programs. “We currently have more than 250 students working directly with us on a wide range of projects, and by doing so are making a significant contribution to developing the next generation of Canadian engineers.
“P&WC invests from $10 to $15 million a year in university research projects and is a major supporter of four university undergraduate aerospace institutes as well as the Consortium Research Innovation Aerospace Quebec (CRIAQ).
With manufacturing and engineering facilities across the country, P&WC has more than 7,000 employees in Canada and generates business for 1,500 suppliers from coast-to-coast. Every year, the company contributes over $1.5 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Pratt & Whitney Canada, based in Longueuil, Quebec, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines powering business, general aviation and regional aircraft, and helicopters. The company also offers auxiliary power units and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., USA, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
