Their name may not be too familiar, but their products really get you moving. In an effort to get students moving into the aviation industry, Bombardier of Wichita, Kan., made a $30,000 commitment to the College of Technology and Aviation at K-State Salina. This gift will help establish scholarships for students enrolled in aviation and/or engineering technology coursework.

"We've known for some time that K-State-Salina has an exceptional aviation program. The more we learned about it, the more we liked it," said David Franson, Bombardier's director of public relations and communications. "This gift is designed to offer incentives to K-State students who haven't decided on a major to pursue aviation as a career, and to help others who have already made that choice and could use some financial assistance."

"This scholarship from Bombardier is an outstanding example of the type of student support necessary to provide an environment where students not only succeed but also excel," said Dennis Kuhlman, dean of the College of Technology and Aviation. "It represents a professional commitment to assist the college in producing high quality graduates for the aviation industry."

J. Armand Bombardier started manufacturing snowmobiles in the French speaking part of Canada in 1942. Bombardier (pronounced Bomb-bar-dee-ay) Inc. has grown into a multinational corporation that also produces ATVs, personal watercraft, railcars and aircraft. Sea Doo jet skis and Ski Doo snowmobiles are a couple of the more recognizable products in their catalog.

Bombardier's operations extended into Kansas through an acquisition of Learjet, Inc. of Wichita in 1990. Learjet is one of four companies that now constitute Bombardier Aerospace. As the world's third largest civil airframe manufacturer, Bombardier's aviation accomplishments are impressive.

"We've certified a new aircraft model each year for the last ten years," Franson said. "Demand is high. The industry has been in an upward trend for most of the past decade."

With its diverse array of high-tech products, Bombardier has developed and refined its own manufacturing system. These manufacturing processes have been applied across the board among the various aircraft divisions. The resulting efficiency and cost savings have been dramatic.

"Since 1998, we've implemented company-wide techniques that have made a tremendous difference in our company's productivity," Franson said. "An environment was created where the company was able to do without significant increases in headcount. With virtually the same number of employees, we produced 131 airplanes this last year, compared to only 45 four years ago."

Bombardier Inc. also enjoys a strong tradition of social responsibility, dating back to the establishment of the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation in 1965. The corporation promotes philanthropy throughout its divisions and has a history of establishing scholarships at the university level.

"We've also focused our educational efforts at the high school and grade school levels, as well," Franson said. "At Wichita's Metro-Meridian Alternative High School, for example, we've established a program that provides financial incentives to students for meeting pre-established grade and behavioral standards and completing at least ten hours of community service. We've also entered into a corporate partnership with one of our local elementary schools, as well."

All students enrolled at Kansas State-Salina, College of Technology and Aviation students who maintain a 3.0 GPA are eligible for the Bombardier Aerospace Scholarship.

"As we move into the new millennium, the opportunities and requirements of our industry will continue to include talented, well-rounded professional engineers, pilots, and technicians," said Jim Ziegler, vice president and general manager of Bombardier's Business Aviation Services and Learjet Operations in Wichita. "Kansas State-Salina's aviation program is a solid source for us, as a company and our industry and we're pleased to be partnering with them."