Cuts Part Of Larger Workforce Reduction Plan

Bombardier Aerospace has issued 60-day layoff notices to 160 Wichita employees. The job losses are part of a plan announced in October to cut 350 positions at Bombardier's Wichita plant this year as the company realigns business jet production. The remainder of the reductions will occur over the next eight to 11 months, Bombardier spokesman Dave Franson said. Bombardier is shifting assembly of the Challenger 300 business jet from Wichita to a plant in Dorval, Quebec, near Montreal. The layoffs are related to that move, Franson said. Another aspect of the Bombardier realignment is the shifting of completion work on Bombardier's Learjet models from Tucson to Wichita. Wichita's plant will continue to build Learjet 40, 45 and 60 models.

Commercial Business Unit Moves to Alliance Airport

Bell Helicopter is looking for some elbow room. Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh announced Wednesday the relocation of the Bell Commercial Business Unit worldwide Sales and Marketing offices and the Bell Training Academy to the facility formerly occupied by Gulfstream at Fort Worth (TX) Alliance Airport, located 15 miles northwest of the DFW Airport. The relocation, which includes the sales and marketing functions and the Bell Training Academy, is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks. The company will transfer 300 + people into the 160,897 square foot facility. Bell's plan is to be completely in place by second quarter 2004.