An expanded new office for Thales Transportation Solutions in Burnaby

On Friday, December 11, Thales inaugurated its new expanded office in Burnaby. Thales’ presence in Vancouver originates from more than 30 years ago, with about eight pioneer engineers at the time, working with BCRTC on the creation of the new SkyTrain Expo Line. On December 11th 1985, SkyTrain Expo Line was inaugurated, with Thales’ Communication-Based Train Control system, SelTrac®, the first of its kind in the world. SelTrac® has changed the history of Train Control technology. Today, Thales is the #1 leader in urban rail signalling. SelTrac® is serving more than 2,200 km subway/light rail lines in 15 countries. 

Thales’ office in BC employs 74 highly qualified staff, an increase of 50% from 2014, with plans to grow an additional 25% in the next couple of years. Thales’ Burnaby team designs, tests, delivers and supports urban rail signalling projects for transit systems around the world, working in close cooperation with Thales’ Centre of Competence in Toronto. 

The new office features 32,000 sq. ft. of modern, renovated space across two floors, and includes video conferencing rooms, collaboration spaces, configurable meeting rooms, as well as advanced test and simulation facilities. Thales has also established a core technical team in Vancouver that is supporting Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards on naval and coast guard programs; the team is anticipated to double in size over the next year. 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mike Richard - President  and  Richard Sykes - VP Maintenance, BCRTC, and Rob O’Brien Director, Ministry of International Trade.

“Thales Canada put down business roots in British Columbia 30 years ago, and I am proud to see them succeed and now expand. Companies like Thales recognize the benefits to doing businesses in B.C. - a strong labour force, our world-class infrastructure, and a gateway location between North America and Asia, to name a few. And businesses like Thales help attract investment to B.C., creating the jobs that families depend on while growing our economy. Congratulations Thales on your expanded office in the heart of Burnaby.” said Teresa Wat, B.C.‘s Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism.

Main Picture from left to right: Mark Halinaty, Thales - Rob O'Brien, BC Ministry of International Trade - Mike Richard & Richard Sykes, BCRTC - Dave Beckley & Gabriel Colceag, Thales