Avcorp CEO Peter George (right) discusses the new Learning Factory partnership with UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deborah Buszard and Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains (left).
Avcorp Industries and the University of British Columbia have agreed to explore the establishment of a Learning Factory for Advanced Composites at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
The two parties, represented by Avcorp CEO Peter George and UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard, signed an MOU today at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.
“Avcorp Industries is committed to exploring the establishment of an aerospace industry-first Learning Factory in a way which will push the boundaries of advanced composite manufacturing as well as provide a platform for a new level of research and training in British Columbia,” says Peter George, CEO of the Avcorp Industries Group. “We are looking forward to working with the UBC-based Composites Research Network in an initial focus on aerospace applications of composite materials and optimized manufacturing processes.”
Avcorp Industries is a leading supplier of integrated composite and metallic aerostructures, based in Delta, BC.
“BC’s economic success is due in part to our diversified economy—and this MOU will lead to the exploration of innovative opportunities for Kelowna and area,” says Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country. “Congratulations to Avcorp Industries and UBC on this important partnership, which will provide great training opportunities for students as well.”
“Composite manufacturing is a growth industry,” says Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country. “This Learning Factory concept provides a solid opportunity for employment, education and innovation. It would also further solidify Kelowna-Lake Country as one of Canada’s premier aerospace clusters.”
The Learning Factory will integrate industrial production with learning and research and provide UBC students and faculty with new opportunities for research, knowledge translation, and hands-on experiential learning. The Learning Factory will also provide technical and skills training opportunities for students from partner institutions, such as Okanagan College.
Through the development of a composites research and production facility at the UBC Okanagan Innovation Precinct, as well as an integrated digital simulation facility at UBC’s Vancouver campus, the Learning Factory will provide Avcorp Industries enhanced ability to evaluate and improve manufacturing efficiency.
“UBC is committed to bold new types of partnerships that create unique research, learning, and job creation opportunities,” says Buszard. “We are excited to take our discussions with Avcorp to the next level. We see this project as key to our ambition to help transform and diversify the regional resource economy to one that is driven by innovation.”
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