Local Business Innovating to Foster Growth
Hamilton, Ontario, October 25, 2013—The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario), today met with senior representatives of Mabel's Labels Inc. This Canadian company, which was founded in 2003 by four young mothers, produces labels for children's clothes and personal belongings.
"Our government is strongly committed to initiatives that support the growth of innovative Canadian firms," said Minister of State Rickford. "Like so many small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario, Mabel's Labels is using innovative methods to make new products that consumers in Canada and around the world need. These businesses are critical to the Canadian economy, and our government will continue to open new markets and put in place the winning conditions for products so Canadian businesses can grow, create jobs and secure long-term prosperity."
Mabel's Labels provides personalized clothing, school and name labels for kids and adults. The company will receive up to $145,450 from the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to enhance its infrastructure and production capacity, thereby supporting business growth while enabling the company to maintain its high level of service. This funding is in addition to a contribution of $49,700 that Mabel's Labels received last year through NRC IRAP to find better ways to improve workflow and, in turn, increase capacity and reduce costs.
"The financial support provided by the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program has enabled us to improve our infrastructure and find efficiencies in manufacturing, which has created jobs and allowed the business to grow," said Julie Cole, Vice-President of Public Relations for Mabel's Labels Inc.
NRC IRAP provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory services, as well as necessary financial support, to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Canada. It engages in cost-shared research and development projects with its clients. Firms helped by NRC IRAP are better equipped to perform basic research and development, commercialize new products and processes, and access new markets.
Economic Action Plan 2013 is providing $20 million over three years for a new pilot program delivered through NRC IRAP. The program will help SMEs commercialize their products or services more quickly. It will provide them with credit notes to help pay for research, technology and business development services at the universities, colleges and other not-for-profit research institutions of their choice. The new funding will enable hundreds of Canadian businesses to access the highly qualified talent found in Canada's world-class universities and colleges and will also help create high-value jobs for Canadians.
With a focus on getting more ideas to market, NRC will work with industry to bridge technology gaps, helping build a more innovative Canadian economy that reflects today's global realities.
NRC is a research and technology organization focused on real-world applications and the needs of Canadian businesses. NRC provides Canadian industry with access to the strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure it needs to excel on the global stage.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Greg Rickford
Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal
Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario)
613-943-6177
Media Relations Team
National Research Council
of Canada
613-991-1431
1-855-282-1637
media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
