Western Steel Works Improving Energy Efficiency and Productivity
News release
West coast business undertakes changes to support sustainable business growth
March 8, 2019 – Corner Brook (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Operating modern, efficient businesses means looking for ways to improve productivity and sustainability to support growth and create jobs. With that in mind, Western Steel Works Inc. is improving its manufacturing operations to be more energy efficient and is upgrading its technology to improve productivity.
Western Steel Works Inc. has facilities in both Deer Lake and Corner Brook that provide welding, metal fabrication and machine shop services. The company will renovate both locations with more energy efficient insulation, lighting and doors. In addition, Western Steel Works will improve its business productivity by upgrading computer equipment and software, including new Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fabrication equipment. CNC equipment uses computer software to assist in the manufacturing process by controlling the movement of tools and complex machinery.
That is why the Government of Canada is providing a repayable contribution of $239,500 and the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation is contributing $143,557 in repayable funding towards these initiatives.
Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the announcement today during a visit to the Western Steel Works facility in Corner Brook.
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that create good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize to fuel business growth. Support for these projects is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is committed to working with businesses, industry and communities to create the right environment for sectors such as manufacturing to thrive. By investing in local companies like Western Steel Works, our government is helping to modernize and advance this industry, grow the economy and create good paying middle class jobs.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Western Steel Works is a well-established business here on the west coast that contributes to local employment and the growth of other small businesses and industries in our region. It’s great to see this company taking the initiative to upgrade its equipment, technology and manufacturing operations to become an even more productive, energy efficient business.”
- Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
“This initiative by Western Steel Works to improve business operations, utilize technologies and to find efficiencies aligns well with our Way Forward’s Business Innovation Agenda. We continue to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. With support from our government, this local company will expand its manufacturing process, further develop its operations and efficiency, and advance into new markets.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“Our government is proud to support Western Steel Works, as it continues to make major improvements by investing in modern technology and new equipment. This local company is a positive economic contributor to the region, providing good quality, highly paid jobs.”- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources and MHA for Corner Brook
“In order to stay competitive in this industry, we need to have the right equipment at our facilities and we need to adapt when technology changes. These upgrades and new equipment will help our company to stay competitive, maintain employment at both of our locations and improve the services we offer to our customers.”
- Eric Patey, Owner, Western Steel Works Inc.
Quick facts
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Western Steel Works Inc. opened its first facility in Deer Lake in 1986 as a steel supplier and fabrication shop. In 1999, EJ Logging Limited purchased the company and expanded to Corner Brook.
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The Government of Canada is investing $239,500 in this initiative through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP).
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The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations.
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The provincial government, through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), is contributing $143,557 towards this initiative through its Business Investment Fund. In addition, the provincial department of TCII is providing $27,651 to Western Steel Works through its Business Development Support Program for marketing and training.
Associated links
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819; 709-725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Ida Patey
Owner/Operations Manager
Western Steel Works Inc.
709-634-3642