July 20, 2005
Minto, New Brunswick
Minto Machine and Welding will receive a contribution
upwards of $100,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency (ACOA) to hire an engineer to help the company
enhance its innovation capabilities. The announcement was
made today by the Honourable Andy Scott, Member of
Parliament for Fredericton, Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis
and Non-Status Indians.Specializing in machining, welding and hard chroming, Minto
Machine and Welding will hire a mechanical technologist to
manage various aspects of the business such as performance,
quality control and scheduling to boost company growth."The Government of Canada is committed to supporting
regional development to strengthen our economy," said Mr.
Scott, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister
of ACOA. "ACOA is proud to invest through the Innovation
Skills Development Initiative (ISDI) in Minto Machine and
Welding, which is trying to enhance its innovation
management and technical skills to become more productive
and competitive and expand its market share.""Hiring a mechanical technologist will help us benefit from
knowledge and skills that, combined with our expertise in
welding, will take the company to the next level of
innovation," said Paul Gaddess, the company's manager. "We
are grateful to ACOA, which has recognized our potential
and agreed to provide financial support for our various
projects."Last year, the company received $25,000 through the ISDI
for another project to hire a consulting firm for the
implementation of a lean manufacturing initiative. The
hiring of a professional with the knowledge and skills
required to manage the company's innovation process and
thereby enhance its performance and efficiency is a direct
result of the recommendations made by the consulting firm.The lean manufacturing initiative also made it possible to
find ways of increasing the company's capabilities, for
instance through the acquisition of certain equipment and
improvements to its facilities. In order to implement this
project, ACOA provided a $42,250 repayable loan under its
Business Development Program for the purchase of an
overhead crane and to assist with upgrades that will help
it increase its production capability and efficiency. "I want to thank ACOA for helping play a key role in the
Grand Lake region. This positive announcement comes on the
heels of financial support for the Village of Chipman and
the Marina and Enhancement committee, Douglas Harbour's
Wharf upgrades and Tire Recycling Atlantic Canada
Corporation in Minto," said Minister Scott. "ACOA's
ongoing efforts with community partners in developing an
economic development strategy for the Grand Lake region
speaks to the Government of Canada's responsiveness. We
are making a difference with these investments."Founded in 1968 by the Gaddess family, Minto Machine and
Welding currently employs some 20 people in the Minto
area. In addition to its 17 500 sq. ft. plant, it has also
acquired another building to expand its chrome-plated steel
services. Thanks to all these projects, Minto Machine and
Welding has acquired the tools it needs to become more
competitive and explore new export markets. Minto Machine and Welding is a recipient of Enterprise
Central New Brunswick's 2005 Entrepreneurship Award.The ISDI was designed to improve the innovation and
technology management skills of small and medium-sized
enterprises in Atlantic Canada. ACOA's Business
Development Program provides repayable contributions to
businesses that are setting up, expanding or modernizing.
For more information about ACOA's programs, visit its
website at www.acoa-apece.gc.ca. For further information:
Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-4227
Paul C. Gaddess
Manager
Minto Machine and Welding
(506) 327-3361
Stéphanie Bilodeau
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA N.B.
(506) 452-3304
