New Technology Helps Quinlan Brothers Modernize and Improve Product Quality
News release
Federal government supports technology adaption and growth
October 11, 2018 – Old Perlican (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Keeping pace with new technology helps businesses in traditional industries such as fisheries to stay competitive and create employment in rural areas. With support from the Government of Canada, Quinlan Brothers Limited is introducing innovative technology to upgrade its multi-species Old Perlican groundfish facility, which will maintain employment for 185 people for the duration of the processing period and support the company’s long-term growth strategy.
Thanks to assistance from the federal government, the company has been able to adapt and integrate groundfish processing technology to operate its Old Perlican plant more efficiently, increase production and improve quality. Working with Marel Iceland, Quinlan Brothers Limited adapted high-speed, high-precision portioning equipment, which will enable the company to process groundfish with higher precision and better yields.
Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced a conditionally repayable investment of $970,435 for Quinlan Brothers Limited from ACOA’s Business Development Program.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to create opportunities for all Atlantic Canadians. This includes supporting economic development in rural communities through investments in growth, expansion and diversification.
Established in 1960, Quinlan Brothers Limited is a family-owned business operating seafood processing plants in Bay de Verde, Old Perlican, Baie Verte, Black Duck Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as in Louisburg, Nova Scotia. The company processes and exports a variety of high quality seafood, including cod, turbot, shrimp and crab.
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Quotes
“Through initiatives such as the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Government of Canada continues to invest in initiatives to help boost productivity and generate value-added opportunities in resource-based and emerging industries. Quinlan Brothers Limited is a great example of how a company in a traditional sector is integrating new technology to remain competitive in the global fishing industry.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Quinlan Brothers Limited is a large employer in this region and an important player in Atlantic Canada’s fishing industry. Investing in the company’s equipment upgrades and innovative technology supports continued growth through exporting, while providing economic benefits and local employment in the years to come.”
- Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“I would like to thank the people at ACOA with assisting us throughout this process. The seafood industry in Newfoundland and Labrador has undergone many changes and challenges the past few years. Shellfish stocks have experienced significant declines and there is no doubt that processing companies and employees, along with fishers, will become more reliant on traditional groundfish species in the immediate future.”
- Robin Quinlan, President, Quinlan Brothers Limited
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Robin Quinlan
President
Quinlan Brothers Limited
709-682-4472
rquinlan@quinlanbros.ca