Today, Boeing announced the opening of a 12,000 square-foot expansion to its aerospace composite manufacturing plant in Winnipeg, strengthening the factory’s production capacity.

The CAD $20 million expansion features a 7,250 square-foot freezer for storing composite manufacturing materials, which nearly doubles the site’s existing freezer capacity allowing for a higher production output. To ensure quality, composite materials are stored at -23° Celsius (-10° Fahrenheit) and are thawed just before part production begins.

Boeing’s Winnipeg site produces hundreds of composite parts and assemblies for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and defence derivatives.

The new freezer technology utilizes a modern, non-ozone-depleting CO2-based refrigerant and will use 21% less energy than the current freezer, contributing to this expansion’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification.

“This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to our Winnipeg-based team,” said Teri Thompson, general manager of Boeing Canada Winnipeg. “Our talented team and advanced facility —the largest of its kind in Canada—play a vital role in Boeing’s production system.”

Boeing partnered with local contractors Alliance Engineering and Bockstael Construction to execute this expansion. “Working with Boeing on this project has been a tremendous opportunity for our team,” said Nick Bockstael, COO of Bockstael Construction. “We are proud to contribute to the growth of such a significant player in the aerospace industry and to support the local economy through job creation and community development.”

“Building on over a century of partnership in Canada and more than 50 years of manufacturing presence in Winnipeg, this expansion underscores our commitment to the local community and the aerospace industry,” added Al Meinzinger, president of Boeing Canada. “We remain dedicated to enhancing our capabilities while supporting local businesses and fostering economic development in the regions where we partner and operate.”

Each year, Boeing contributes CAD ~$4 billion in economic benefit to Canada while supporting more than 14,000 jobs, including approximately 1,500 Winnipeg-based employees and almost 500 suppliers and partners.