March 24, 2015
Lévis QC, Tuesday March 24, 2015 - Davie – voted North America’s #1 Shipbuilder in 2015 – is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year.
In 1825, English sea captain, Allison Davie founded what is now Canada’s largest and highest capacity shipbuilder. Today, Davie is also the largest employer of skilled shipbuilders in Canada. Throughout the past 190 years, Davie has built every type of vessel imaginable from the largest of warships for the Canadian, British and French navies to the largest of offshore rigs for international oil companies.
On the occasion of celebrations accompanying the unveiling of the plaque commemorating Davie’s 190th anniversary, Mr. Jean d’amour, Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, reminded the importance of this company to the naval industry development: “Throughout the years, Davie has always been able to adapt, evolve and innovate. The implementation of the first maritime strategy in our history will bring it various challenges, but there is no doubt in my mind that Davie will be ready to accept them all.”
Alan Bowen, CEO of Davie spoke proudly of the anniversary, “The history of Davie is absolutely remarkable and I am incredibly proud to be here continuing a 190 year old legacy of ingenuity and innovation in shipbuilding. I am particularly proud of all of our skilled shipbuilders, many of whom are third and fourth generation Davie shipbuilders. As I have often said, while you can build a shipyard in three years, it takes decades of experience to build complex ships. It’s those skills which have made Davie such a great success over the past few years and the reason Davie was voted North American Shipyard of the Year.”
“The history of the city of Levis is tightly linked with Davie’s history, since the shipyard has always been a major economic driver for our city. I am persuaded that I speak on behalf of all townspeople when I speak of pride that I feel when I see here the greatest shipyard in Canada, standing square on the international scene since its very beginning 190 years ago.” said the mayor of Lévis, Mr. Gilles Lehouillier.
A series of events and activities will take place throughout the year to celebrate Davie’s 190th anniversary.
