For immediate release
March 4, 2011
Kitchener, Ontario — A luggage manufacturer with its North American headquarters in Cambridge will expand its manufacturing to include aluminum suitcases thanks to a new research partnership with Conestoga College. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced a federal government investment in the venture with Rimowa, while speaking today at the college.
"Our government is committed to making sure the people, businesses and communities of southern Ontario have the tools they need to succeed", said Minister Goodyear. "This project will see Conestoga College and Rimowa work together on exciting new research, which will allow the company to expand its local manufacturing to include aluminum suitcases."
Minister of State Goodyear was joined by Dr. John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College, and Martin Slejska, production manager for Rimowa North America Inc., for the announcement at the college's Doon Campus. This is Conestoga's first project announced under a $750,000 investment from FedDev Ontario's Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative.
"We look forward to working with Rimowa and other small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them address their research needs," said Dr. Tibbits. "The support of FedDev Ontario not only benefits the region's economy, but also provides opportunities for Conestoga's faculty and students to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world challenges as they support our local community."
Through this initiative, Conestoga College will work with Rimowa to explore, design and implement an automated system that will streamline current processes used in the manufacturing of aluminum suitcases. This project is expected to result in increased production capacity, and position Rimowa to meet growing product demand.
FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its second year of operation, the Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to support businesses and other organizations through partnerships and investments in skills and training; innovation; research and development; and increased productivity. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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For media enquiries:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-943-7599
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
519-571-6879
Paul Osborne
Executive Director, Marketing, Corporate Communications
Conestoga College
519-748-5220 Ext. 3419
