July 12, 2016
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.
“Avcorp Industries is committed to exploring the establishment of an aerospace industryfirst
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
and is 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 Dr. Deborah Buszard, UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor and
Principal. “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 driven by innovation.”