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Examining the Background of Bombardier Throughout the Ages

Traumatic origins led to Bombardier's inception, but the company has since thrived in numerous sectors despite numerous hurdles. Amid numerous near-defeats, Bombardier demonstrated resilience and showed us what enduring hardship can achieve.

Exploring the Past of Bombardier: An In-Depth Review of Its Timeline
Exploring the Past of Bombardier: An In-Depth Review of Its Timeline

Examining the Background of Bombardier Throughout the Ages

Bombardier, a name synonymous with Canadian innovation, began its journey in 1942 when Joseph-Armand Bombardier founded "Bombardier Snow Car Limited" after inventing the first snowmobile in 1935. However, it was in the mid-1980s that Bombardier made its significant entry and growth in the aviation industry.

In 1986, Bombardier took a major step into the aerospace sector with its acquisition of Canadair, Canada's leading aerospace company [1]. This move marked the beginning of Bombardier's transformation from a snowmobile and tracked vehicle maker to a major aerospace player.

The following years saw a series of strategic acquisitions and program launches. In 1989, Bombardier launched the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program to develop a regional jet airliner series, with the first prototype flying in May 1991. This became the first Canadian jet airliner to enter commercial service [4]. SkyWest Airlines, a US airline, became the first customer by ordering 10 regional jets even before the CRJ program’s official launch [4].

Bombardier continued its acquisitions, buying Short Brothers (Europe’s oldest aircraft manufacturer) in 1989, Learjet (a U.S. business jet manufacturer) in 1990, and De Havilland Canada in 1992. These acquisitions added significant aerospace design and manufacturing heritage to Bombardier's portfolio [1].

In 1995, Bombardier established Business JetSolutions, managing Flexjet, a fractional ownership program for business jets, expanding into new business models for jet ownership [1]. The 1990s also saw the planned expansion of Bombardier's regional jet portfolio with the BRJ-X concept, aiming for a larger regional jet. However, this project was eventually shelved in favor of extending CRJ models [3].

As the 21st century approached, Bombardier's managers recognized the company's expansive approach as too much. With a more focused approach, Bombardier aims to showcase its capabilities and improve its performance and efficiency. Today, Bombardier's business jet production is its primary operation, and the company operates globally with over 12,000 employees.

Bombardier produces a variety of aircraft, including private jets, firefighting planes, and commercial options. The company's shift towards a more focused approach is a recent development, marking a new chapter in Bombardier's storied history.

[1] - Bombardier's Official Website: https://www.bombardier.com/en/about-us/history.html [2] - Bombardier's CRJ Series: https://www.bombardier.com/en/products/commercial-aircraft/crj-series.html [3] - Bombardier's BRJ-X Concept: https://www.bombardier.com/en/about-us/history/brj-x.html [4] - Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Program: https://www.bombardier.com/en/about-us/history/cseries-history.html

In 1989, Bombardier ventured into the technology sector with the launch of the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program, designing a series of regional jet airliners [4]. Additionally, Bombardier's expansive growth in the 1990s included forays into the finance sector with the establishment of Business JetSolutions, managing Flexjet, a fractional ownership program for business jets [1].

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