Global Demand Requires Expanded Facilities
November 12, 2014 – Dartmouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Thirty years after they opened, MetOcean Data Systems Limited of Dartmouth continues to make waves in the fields of oceanography, meteorology, defence and coastal environments for an international clientele. Since their incorporation, MetOcean has become a world leader in the specialized production of air and ship-deployed drifting platforms, search and rescue buoys, oil tracking buoys, ice platforms, NOVATECH tracking and recovery beacons/flashers, and data acquisition and telemetry systems.
Most notably, their Mobile Acoustic Scoring System (IMPASS) provides navies with a relatively low-cost, deployable and recoverable system to conduct live weapon training exercises at sea. With the United States Navy as the IMPASS’s largest customer, this is one of several items on MetOcean’s covert line of tracking products.
However, despite MetOcean continuing to grow and gain international notoriety, their manufacturing facilities have remained modest. With their current floor plan, they are only able to build a limited number of concurrent sales orders and do not have dedicated areas for year round product lines versus seasonal ones.
This is why the Government of Canada, through ACOA, is helping to support MetOcean’s facility expansion with a $360,000 repayable contribution through its Business Development Program (BDP). This expansion will allow the company to build its products more efficiently and streamline its processes, while adding additional office and lab space for prototyping and testing.
Quick Facts:
- MetOcean has a large cadre of highly skilled professionals possessing multi-disciplinary experience in the design and fabrication of data acquisition and telemetry systems. This broad range of knowledge has been developed by a team of over 45 dedicated engineers, technologists, production workers and support staff. This strong team produces cost-effective, reliable systems and products.
- MetOcean is an ISO 9001 registered company and is one of the few manufacturers of oceanographic, meteorological and military systems in the world to have received this internationally recognized quality registration.
- Other notable MetOcean clients have included James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, the Canadian Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada, Environment Canada, the United States Coast Guard and the Royal Australian Navy.
Quotes:
“MetOcean is increasing its share of international niche markets in the oceanography, meteorology, defence and coastal environments sectors. The company’s commitment to innovation, quality and service is paying significant dividends. Our Government is pleased to support MetOcean as they expand their facilities to advance product development and streamline production to meet increasing export demand in the global market.”
- Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA)
“MetOcean is more than pleased that we have the opportunity to expand our facilities, creating an environment that’s conducive to meeting our current demand and producing new, reliable and proven technologies. This support will not only strengthen our export capabilities, but will directly contribute towards making new jobs at home in Nova Scotia. ”
- Bernie Petolas, Vice President of Operations, MetOcean Data Systems Limited
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417/902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Bernie Petolas
Vice President of Operations
MetOcean Data Systems Limited
902-468-2505 ext.254
Email: bernie@MetOcean.com
