Canada: Irving Shipbuilding Holds AOPS Supplier Development Session

More than 530 potential suppliers from across Canada gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 for Irving Shipbuilding’s AOPS Supplier Development Session.

Invitations were sent to the almost 2,000 companies included on Irving Shipbuilding’s online supplier registry with the goal of ensuring potential suppliers were informed of business opportunities within the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) Program, the first set of combat vessels to be built under the federal government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).

With participation from several of Irving Shipbuilding’s Tier One Subcontractors, including Lockheed Martin Canada and GE Canada, the session was designed to outline requirements for supplying military defence programs and specific requirements and timelines with Irving Shipbuilding and its subcontractors.

“This day is all about building the knowledge and awareness of our potential supplier base, as well as informing them of when we will be looking for specific goods and services, the kinds of tender methods and systems we use, and how best to approach the opportunities that exist,” said Ross Langley, Vice Chairman of Irving Shipbuilding.

The day consisted of presentations, a tradeshow area, and private, business-to-business meetings.

Since the October 19, 2011 announcement of the successful NSPS bidders, Irving Shipbuilding has participated in dozens of Supplier Information Sessions held across the country.

“The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has been particularly helpful in organizing and hosting these events as a part of the federal government’s Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan, “said Ross Langley. “Educating and increasing awareness of the requirements of supplying the defence and security industry, providing support to Canadian companies, and helping to spread the word about the coming opportunities involved in NSPS has been a significant driver of the growth in our supplier registry and the level of preparedness within those organizations.”

The Honourable Graham Steele, Minister for Economic and Rural Development and Tourism for Nova Scotia, brought greetings as the host province for the event.

“Rebuilding Canada’s national shipbuilding industry creates opportunities for companies large and small across this country,” said Minister Steele. “We are pleased to host Irving’s first supplier development session in Halifax and look forward to the continued momentum on building Canada’s ships.”

Irving Shipbuilding, together with its major subcontractors, is committed to maximizing opportunities for local, regional and national businesses.

“Lockheed Martin has a long-standing relationship with the Canadian navy as its combat systems integrator and we look forward to delivering the integrated command and surveillance capability for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships,” said Don McClure, Vice President of Business Development for Lockheed Martin Canada. “This program will leverage many of the investments Canada has made to date through the HALIFAX Class modernization program. The work will be done in Canada by Canadians at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.”

“GE is investing $26M in process and capital equipment upgrades at our facility in Peterborough, Ontario. Peterborough will be GE’s production facility of choice to meet the needs of the AOPS program including demand for propulsion motors, generators and other components for these ships, potentially resulting in related job creation at the facility, “ said Roger Noseworthy, Managing Director, Canada, GE Power Conversion. “ This investment is being made in part to generate Industrial Regional benefits to support pending commitments.”

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Press Release, May 29, 2013; Image: Irving Shipbuilding