February 23, 2015 - Moncton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
As the renewal of Canada’s naval and coast guard fleets begins to ramp up on Canada’s east and west coasts, the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), today highlighted how the Government of Canada’s Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan (ASAP) has helped Atlantic entrepreneurs to position themselves to compete for work. This initiative, which was launched in February 2012, has been a key means of providing Atlantic entrepreneurs with the critical information they need to maximize the opportunities tied to Canada’s historic National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) and join domestic and international marine and defence supply chains.
Since 2012, ACOA has worked with its partners to inform and support Atlantic entrepreneurs through strategic ASAP activities organized across Atlantic Canada, including:
- supplier information sessions, which informed participants on the NSPS and the requirements to join the marine and defence supply chain and compete for work;
- marine and defence industry engagement activities, which enabled Atlantic firms to discuss their capacity directly with major international contractors;
- showcase events, where the region’s entrepreneurs and researchers highlighted their innovative products and processes to an international audience;
- trade missions, where Atlantic delegates promoted their capacity, established relationships with foreign counterparts, and identified global marine and defence supply chain opportunities; and
- a Marine and Defence Industry Forum, which assembled key stakeholders to discuss ways for the region to capitalize on NSPS opportunities and grow Atlantic Canada’s marine and defence sector.
The knowledge-building and networking activities held under the ASAP have helped small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from rural and urban Atlantic Canada to understand the scope of the opportunities and the steps they need to take to sharpen their competitive edge – as well as the tools and support available to help them succeed.
Through its programs for business, ACOA will continue to help the region’s SMEs earn specialized certifications, improve their internal processes, acquire new technology and undertake other initiatives that will enhance their capacity to bid on supply chain opportunities. The Agency will also continue to deliver strategic ASAP initiatives that support Atlantic SMEs in developing their capacity to compete as suppliers, and to provide forums for them to connect with key contractors.
Quick Facts:
- Between February 2012 and November 2012, over 1,000 representatives from more than 500 Atlantic firms took part in 16 ASAP Supplier Development Information Sessions which were organized throughout Atlantic Canada to inform entrepreneurs about the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and help them prepare to compete for work.
- ACOA has led international trade missions to help the region’s SMEs identify global marine and defence supply chain opportunities. The Agency, in association with the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations, led 21 Atlantic industry representatives to world premier maritime and naval defence exhibitions, specifically Exponaval (Chile) and Euronaval (France).
- From May 2012 to November 2014, ACOA organized 16 industry engagement activities, including targeted supplier development sessions and site tours, that enabled nearly 1,000 participants to meet with representatives of the prime contractors, Irving Shipbuilding Incorporated and Seaspan Marine, and their existing and potential major sub-contractors.
Quotes:
“Through the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan (ASAP), our Government is continuing to help ensure that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Atlantic Canada are well-positioned to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities attached to the $38.6-billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. To date, more than 2,000 members of the Atlantic business community have taken part in ASAP activities, which have provided them with key information on the opportunities for their companies and the requirements they must meet to become part of the marine and defence supply chains. These activities have also allowed SMEs to meet directly with major international contractors to promote their capacity and discuss potential partnerships. ACOA will continue to organize strategic ASAP activities and, through its business programs, help SMEs seize opportunities in the marine and defence sector in Canada and beyond, thereby creating more, better paying jobs, and further strengthening the economy.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Our company has participated in several ASAP events, which have assisted us in determining the opportunities for our industrial manufacturing and fabrication business to take part in the national shipbuilding initiative. Thanks to ACOA’s support, we have been able to acquire new technology and enhance our operations, which strengthens our capacity and our ability to compete as a supplier.”
- Gordie Lavoie, President, Sunny Corner Enterprises Inc. (Miramichi, NB)
“We were able to secure a multi-million dollar contact with Vancouver Shipyards to custom design and manufacture the deck equipment for the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Offshore Fisheries and Science Vessels. This significant project award has allowed us to hire additional engineering and production personnel and secure further contracts. We were very appreciative of ACOA’s assistance throughout the entire process and their continued support as we establish ourselves as a leading supplier in the global market.”
- Paul Phillips, General Sales Manager, Hawboldt Industries Ltd. (Chester, Nova Scotia)
“Marine Industrial Lighting Systems (MILS) was pleased to participate in the NSPS session organized by ACOA, which enabled our company to meet key contacts, profile our products and meet the appropriate decision makers. As a result, MILS was recently awarded the lighting contract for the first Ocean Sciences Vessel being built by Seaspan in Vancouver as the first significant new construction under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. This initiative was a tremendous tool to open new doors for MILS, and will enable us to expand our business, access additional opportunities both domestically and internationally in the years to come, as well as continue in a growth mode.”
- Sid Cox, President, Marine Industrial LightingSystems Ltd. (Mount Pearl, NL)
“Having access to the right information and tools is key to firms like ours in order to take advantage of the opportunities sure to flow from the shipbuilding activity in Halifax with respect to the renewal of Canada’s naval and Coast Guard fleets. We appreciate ACOA’s support and are excited about the opportunity to contribute our hybrid and power technology to build Canada’s next generation fleet.”
- Jason Aspin, CEO, Aspin Kemp & Associates (Montague, PEI)
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
613-941-7241
Kelsie.Corey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Angela Cullen
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2639
angela.cullen@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
