Exploring the Past of Bombardier Inc.
Bombardier: From Snowmobiles to Business Jets
Bombardier, a global company with over 12,000 employees, has an intriguing history that began with the invention of the snowmobile. Founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in 1942 as "Bombardier Snow Car Limited," the company was born out of a tragic event in 1934, when Bombardier lost his young son due to bad weather conditions. This personal loss inspired Bombardier to create a vehicle that could navigate through snow, thus giving birth to the first snowmobile.
The company's success in the snowmobile industry was significant, but Bombardier's managers recognized that managing such a diverse portfolio was becoming too much. As a result, the company started to focus more on its aviation sector.
The turning point came in the late 1980s and early 1990s when Bombardier acquired Canadair, a struggling aerospace manufacturer that was on the brink of bankruptcy. This acquisition marked Bombardier's entry into the aviation industry and provided the company with a solid industrial base, thanks to Canadair's established capabilities in regional jets.
Over subsequent decades, Bombardier expanded its business jet portfolio significantly. The company introduced models like the Global 7500 and the Challenger series, reaching milestones such as the delivery of the 1,000th super-midsize Challenger 3500 jet in February 2025 and setting multiple speed records with business jets like the Global 7500.
In May 2025, Bombardier achieved another milestone with the first production flight of the Global 8000, an advanced ultra-long-range business jet, demonstrating the brand's ongoing product evolution. The Global 7500 business jet also set a record for achieving 135 speed milestones, the most ever by a single business jet, underscoring Bombardier's performance leadership.
Today, Bombardier is primarily a producer of business jets, having left behind its earlier interests in finances, military products, public transport, and rail equipment. The company's focus on business jets may reveal its true capabilities, as it continues to push the boundaries of aviation technology.
Despite facing setbacks due to external factors, such as laws making snowmobiles obsolete, Bombardier has shown resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming numerous difficulties throughout its history. The company operates globally with a more focused approach, and its growth through acquisitions and expansion has made management increasingly complex. However, Bombardier's commitment to innovation and quality remains unwavering.
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In the wake of its success in the snowmobile industry, Bombardier started to explore other sectors, expanding into the finance industry with various investments. Later, the company ventured into the aerospace sector through strategic acquisitions, such as Canadair, which allowed Bombardier to establish itself in the aviation industry. As the company focused more on aviation, it continued to innovate in technology, developing state-of-the-art business jets like the Global 7500 and the Challenger series.
