January 21, 2005 Kedgwick,, New Brunswick The MP for Madawaska-Restigouche, Jean-Claude D'Amours, today took a tour of RégeNord and Nik Design, two innovative New Brunswick companies, to highlight the importance of the Innovation Skills Development Initiative (ISDI) that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has been implementing to help improve the innovation management and technical skills of the region's small and medium sized enterprises. Launched in 2002 as an integral part of the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development Partnership (EBSDP), ISDI has enabled more than 20 Madawaska and Restigouche companies to acquire innovation management and technical skills to help them become more productive and competitive in the global economy. Over the past two years, Kedgwick-based RégeNord has completed three projects as part of different components of ISDI. The company recruited a technical graduate to design research and development projects; hired a manager to oversee innovation and the management of research and development projects; and implemented a value-added production process to boost productivity. Founded in 1989, RégeNord Ltd specializes in the integration and delivery of high technology solutions. Its main fields of expertise are forestry operations, technical training and IT network solutions. "It's fascinating to see all that is happening in terms of innovation in Madawaska and Restigouche," said MP D'Amours. "Thanks to ISDI, entrepreneurs in our region and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada are able to embark on projects with the potential to considerably boost their company's growth. Improved innovation skills and continuous introduction of new technology are keys to success in the economy of the 21st century. ACOA has really understood that and is providing our companies with the programs and services required for success." "With ACOA's support, we have implemented projects that have allowed us to position ourselves as leaders in the fields of forestry and information technology," said Alain Bélanger, RégeNord's President. "The integration and adaptation of new technologies are essential for the long- term development and prosperity of small and medium-sized businesses. That's what enabled us to diversify and broaden our horizons." In 2004, with ISDI backing, Nik Design, a Madawaska company based in Edmundston, hired a new director to oversee research and development and implemented a productivity improvement project that has already borne fruit. In fact, the company has already made major technical changes to existing products and achieved markedly increased efficiencies in its chain of production. Thanks to this project, Nik Design is planning to obtain ISO certification by the end of 2005. "We're very pleased that ACOA decided to launch the Innovation Skills Development Initiative, because it very well serves the needs of companies that want to innovate and become more competitive in the 21st century economy," said Tim Shaw, President and Founder of Nik Design. "Thanks to the work of our director of research and development, our company has seen significant improvements. That's what guarantees Nik Design's future growth." Nik Design Inc. is an innovator in the manufacture of electronic displays using light emitting diodes (LEDs), which require less energy than incandescent bulbs, making them more environmentally friendly. Nik Design makes a wide range of products, including various scoreboards models, scrolling electronic marquees, time and temperature displays, illuminated house numbers, and traffic signs. Nik Design also produces very high quality recycling containers made of recycled metal. Since it's inception, the Innovation Skills Development Initiative has enabled close to 140 New Brunswick companies to implement 174 projects totalling almost $8 million. In Madawaska, ACOA has invested a little over $1 million for the implementation of 17 projects, while Restigouche has received $870,000 for 21 projects. ISDI was designed to improve the innovation management and technical competencies of small and medium-sized enterprises in Atlantic Canada. For more information on ACOA programs, visit the Agency's Website atwww.acoa-apeca.gc.ca . - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Alain Bélanger President RégeNord Ltd (506) 284-2816 Stéphanie Bilodeau Senior Communications Officer ACOA NB (506) 452-3304 Tim Shaw President Nik Design Inc. (506) 735-7048
