Bombardier

Bombardier Inc., a multinational manufacturer headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has built an enduring reputation over the decades, particularly in the realms of aerospace and rail transportation. Founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in 1942, the company initially gained recognition for its development of snowmobiles. The invention of the B7 snowmobile in 1937 marked his first major success, giving birth to the concept of vehicles specifically designed for travel over snow and ice. This innovation paved the way for the subsequent creation of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, which became highly popular in winter sports and recreational activities.

During the 1970s, Bombardier diversified into the rail transport sector, acquiring the Austrian firm Lohner-Rotax and later the Belgian manufacturer BN. These strategic acquisitions solidified Bombardier’s position as a key player in the train industry, producing everything from urban light-rail vehicles to advanced high-speed trains. One of the company's notable achievements in rail transport was the development of the BiLevel coaches, which have been widely adopted by North American commuter rail services.

The 1980s saw Bombardier making a significant leap into aerospace through the purchase of Canadair, a struggling Canadian aircraft manufacturer. This acquisition marked the beginning of Bombardier's ascent in the aviation market. The subsequent purchase of Belfast-based Short Brothers, Learjet, and the aviation division of Daimler-Benz's Dornier further expanded its capabilities. Bombardier became well-known for its Challenger and Global Express business jets, as well as the regional CRJ Series aircraft, which revolutionized short-haul air travel.

In 2013, the company launched the CSeries commercial jets, which later became part of Airbus as the A220 after a joint venture was formed in 2018. The introduction of these jets introduced new standards in fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, underpinning Bombardier’s influence in the aviation sector.