MONTREAL, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Aro Montral, Qubec's aerospace cluster, and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), signed a framework agreement on cooperation during the second edition of Aro Montral's Global Supply Chain Summit - aerospace taking place at the Palais des congrs de Montral.

Suzanne M. Benot, president of Aro Montral, welcomed the initiative, saying it will help to create business opportunities in the Qubec's aerospace industry, particularly the defence sector given OAI's relationship with the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. "We share similar objectives for our respective members and strongly believe in the potential sharing of best practices and mutual challenges," she said.

Michael L. Heil, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Aerospace Institute added that "Ohio and Quebec are known worldwide for our leadership in aerospace. We are delighted to sign this agreement with Aero Montreal, and believe that it will be mutually beneficial for our respective organizations and members."

"The Ohio Aerospace Institute is a research and development organization which has a collaborative model similar to that of CRIAQ. There are several complementary industrial themes between Qubec and Ohio. We look forward to the concrete projects that will emerge over the coming years," said Clment Fortin, President and CEO of CRIAQ.

The collaboration agreement involves the exchange of information concerning the two clusters' respective programs and initiatives. It also involves the exchange of information about their respective members' needs, offers and capabilities, allowing for shared knowledge on how both clusters could better integrate, leverage each other's core competencies and therefore develop complementary value chains.

About the agreement signatories

About Aro Montral

Aro Montral, Qubec's aerospace cluster, is a strategic think tank that groups all the major decision makers in Qubec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.

Aro Montral's mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and concerted actions to increase the cohesion and optimize competitiveness of Qubec's aerospace cluster. It aims to foster the growth and expansion of the cluster so as to ensure that it may continue to create wealth for Montral, Qubec and Canada. To find out more about Aro Montral, visit http://www.aeromontreal.ca.

About the Ohio Aerospace Institute

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Aéro Montréal and Ohio Aerospace Institute sign a strategic collaboration agreement