Six Nova Scotian metal fabricators awarded federal funding for machinery and automation

Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada, www.canada.ca.

Six Nova Scotian steel and aluminum companies have been awarded over $2,479,501 for advanced manufacturing machinery, robotics and modernization. This funding will help the six companies to improve productivity and increase revenue, all while supporting manufacturing jobs across Nova Scotia.

• MacKenzie Atlantic Tool & Die | Machining in Musquodoboit Harbour will receive $550,000 for two CNC machines and a robot to load and unload the machine. This project will create two full-time positions.
• Tri-Star Industries Limited in Yarmouth will receive $550,000 to purchase new equipment and expand its ambulances and emergency response vehicles manufacturing facility. This project will create nine permanent jobs and maintain more than 60 full-time positions.
• East Coast Metal Fabrication in Edwardsville will receive $500,000 to improve its infrastructure so it can diversify its operations to include aquaculture construction. This project will allow the company to produce automated feeding barges for salmon farming, creating 30 well-paying jobs.
• IMO Foods Limited in Yarmouth will receive $325,000 for a robotic sterilization system, which will help the company increase production by 25 per cent. This project will create 10 jobs.
• Hawboldt Industries Limited in Chester will receive $306,602 for automated manufacturing equipment to produce brass castings for fishing boat shafts, as well as build an on-site bed to test large marine cranes. The new base will increase the size of crane the company can build, and create three skilled jobs.
• Waldale Manufacturing Limited in Amherst will receive $247,899 for new high-speed manufacturing equipment to produce license plates. This project will create up to 10 jobs.

“By modernizing Tri-Star’s manufacturing processes and making key equipment upgrades, this project will enable Tri-Star to increase capacity, scale up for new markets and accelerate the development of new products," said Blair Cottreau, president and CEO, Tri-Star.

“Pick-and-place robotics will allow IMO Foods to increase production, improving the utilization of available labour and resources within the company," added Phil LeBlanc, president, IMO Foods.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, was also on hand for the announcement.

The funding is being provided under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) Steel and Aluminum Initiative.