BRP investing in engine research

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) of Valcourt, Que., which provides motorcycle engines for BMW, Buell and Aprilia, is creating an advanced research center in Austria to develop new engine technologies.

BRP’s Austrian affiliate, BRP-Rotax GmbH, and the government of Upper Austria, will invest nearly US$12 million in the Regionales Innovations Centrum (RIC).

“These are technologies that we will implement into our products to improve our engines, including cutting down on emissions,’’ BRP spokesperson Johanne Denault told Snowmobile.com. “We already have about 30 people working on these products at BRP-Rotax. Hopefully we will see results in the near future.’’

Denault adds that BRP has a similar agreement with the University of Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Que. for non-engine technologies.

The Centre de technologies avancées BRP – Université de Sherbrooke (CTA) represents an investment of nearly C$36 million shared by BRP, the University of Sherbrooke, the Québec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Exports and Canada Economic Development.

The goal of the Sherbrooke center, which will open in January 2008, is to develop five distinct new technologies for integration into the manufacturing process.

“We have a very clear mandate to develop products in the very specific fields in the next five years,” says Denault.

Construction of the RIC is slated to begin before the end of 2007 and BRP expects the building to be completed by June 2008 at the earliest.

“The RIC reconfirms BRP’s commitment to innovation in order to maintain its global leadership position,” says José Boisjoli, president and CEO, BRP. “The RIC will work closely with BRP’s advanced technology and design and innovation centers in Canada to develop synergies between Europe and North America and better support BRP’s global needs.”