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SPECIAL FEATURE AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE
A strong defence sector
Industry quietly contributes to the provincial economy By Carol Dobson
Halifax is a military town and has
been since June 1749. Of course, back
then, there were only two services,
the army and the navy. Since then, the
fortunes of Halifax have risen and fallen
in times of war and peace. Today, there is
a third arm to the forces and one which
quietly contributes greatly to the provincial
economy, our air force and aerospace
industries, and their spinoffs.
“The shipbuilding program is a very
visible part of the defence industry,” Carl
Kumpic, the Vice President of international
marketing for IMP Aerospace and
Defence, says. “So while the navy is very
prominent, the army has a presence at
Willow Park, and down at 12 Wing Greenwood,
the air force has more visibility.”
According to Nova Scotia Business
Inc., “Nova Scotia has a strong, diverse
defence, security, and aerospace industry
that generates $600 million in annual
revenues and has a workforce of more
than 6,000.” One of the major players
in the industry, since 1970, has been
IMP, which supports both Canadian
and international aircraft fleets as well
as providing manufacturing support to
original equipment manufacturers. A
recent project has involved a rewing program
for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s
Lockheed Martin P-2 Orion aircraft. IMP
has also completed contracts with Egypt,
Mexico, the United States and a host of
other countries around the world.
Even though much of the industry
does tend to fly under the radar, it is a
valuable contributor to the province’s
economy. IMP, for example, employs
more than 4,000 people in well-paid,
stable jobs, including 2,400 in the
Aerospace and Defence business unit.
Their prime contract is with the Department
of National Defence ensuring our
helicopters and aircraft, from the Sea
Kings to the Auroras, Hercules, and even
the famed Tutor jets of the Snowbirds are
able to fly safely.
“We have a great capacity to keep
the Auroras flying so they can undertake
coastal defence, fisheries patrols, search
and rescue, and drug searches,” he says.
“And, when we are involved with NATO
or other international initiatives we want
to make sure our people are sent there
with the right equipment and training to
do their job.”
One of the keys to IMP’s success is its
ability to retain highly qualified employees,
many with a military background and
to ensure a corporate culture of attracting
and keeping the brightest and the best.
Because of this continuity, the company
has been able to ensure that aircraft, such
as the Sea Kings, with more than a half
century of service, are able to fly safely.
DELIVERING IN-SERVICE SUPPORT—A KEY INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY IN CANADA
Proudly 100% Canadian, headquartered
in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Over 65 years of providing Turn Key In
Service Support to Canadian and
international militaries
2400 employees located across Canada
Six Operating Units
IMP Aerospace
Cascade Aerospace
IMP Naval and Land Services
IMP Electronic Systems
IMP Aerostructures
Canadian SAR Helicopter Services
A “Key Industrial Capability” now and in
the future
www.impaerospaceanddefence.com
36 JULY & AUGUST 2016