Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast has awarded contracts totalling $12.7 million US to six companies on the island of Ireland. The announcement was made today at the Paris Airshow where Bombardier and some of the suppliers are participating.

Contracts, valued at just under $10 million US over a three-year period, have been signed with five existing Northern Ireland-based suppliers. The companies, confirmed as John Huddleston Engineering, Greyabbey; Dontaur Engineering Ltd., Ballymrna; J.W. Kane Precision Engineering Ltd., Portadown; Moyola Precision Engineeing, Castledawson; and Maydown Precision Engineering Ltd., Londonderry, will now supply components for the Bombardier Q400, CRJ700/900, Learjet 45 and Challenger 300 aircraft programs.

EireComposites, based in Galway, Ireland, becomes a new supplier and will provide carbon-fibre components for Bombardier's Global Express and nacelle programmes. This contract is worth $2.7 million Us over a five-year period.

Michael Ryan, Vice-President, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast said "These contracts represent a significant step in Bombardier's ongoing commitment to encourage the development of a competitive supply base throughout Ireland. Along with our links to universities and R&D programmes, contracts with suppliers on the island of Ireland which now total approximately $67 million US per annum, are an important part of our contribution to the island economy. We look forward to building these relationships which will play an important role in the success of Bombardier's programmes going forward.