Bombardier Transportation Opens Its North American Prototyping Centre in the Montréal Region

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 17, 2012) - Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation inaugurated its Prototyping Centre (research and development) in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville today to consolidate its leadership position in the North American rail industry.

Facing the challenge of an increasingly competitive market, Bombardier is reinforcing its presence in Quebec by consolidating the product development activities that precede manufacturing, namely design and engineering testing.

"This is where we test and validate the design elements for every new generation of the products we manufacture in North America," said Mr. Raymond Bachant, President, North America, Bombardier Transportation. "Our decision to centralize our North American design and product development teams in the Montreal area means hiring close to 200 engineers, project managers and procurement specialists. We are building our expertise here and creating wealth in Quebec."

Having examined all the possibilities in North America, Bombardier chose Quebec for the expansion of its research and development activities, the priority being to always remain one step ahead in matters of innovation.

"Innovation is the key to the economic and social development of Western economies. Bombardier's success shows that Quebec has all the assets required to be a world leader in this area. My government considers it essential to support promising projects like this prototyping centre being inaugurated today", said Quebec Premier, Pauline Marois.

Bombardier has built its Prototyping Centre in the Greater Montreal area, in Saint-Bruno's Gérard-Filion eco-industrial park.

"It is an honor for our City to have the Head Office of a major international company on its territory. Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville offers a competitive taxation structure as well as several logistic advantages for a major company like Bombardier Transportation. Our municipality offers an attractive community and local services for employees who wishes to settle here with their family", said Mr. Claude Benjamin, Mayor of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.

Maximizing synergy

In creating the new centre, Bombardier will consolidate at one location its product development expertise, encouraging greater involvement of its customers, suppliers and partners in the research and development of pioneering technologies for its manufacturing processes.

The building's key features include:

• LEED certification (certification level approval in progress)
• Infrared heating for 42% greater energy efficiency than with unit heaters
• Bike racks, change rooms and shower facilities, promoting alternative transportation
• Efficient water management with low flow fixtures and hardware, cutting water use in half
• Heat islands minimized through biodiversity, with green spaces 25% larger than required under zoning by-laws
• Native plant species used in landscaping, eliminating the need for irrigation systems.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies - built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology - conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Note to Editors

A photo is available at: http://www2.bombardier.com/rfts/files/Photos/centre_prototypage.zip.

Follow Bombardier Transportation on Twitter @BombardierRail.

BOMBARDIER and ECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.