In the opinion of one Island company, the benefits of the Team Atlantic Trade Mission to New England have been two-fold. "This mission has given Atlantic Canadian companies a higher profile and credibility in the New England market where a lot of our products are not widely known," stated Eric Ellsworth of Island Controls from Charlottetown. "It also creates new market opportunities for the participating companies that otherwise may not have occurred."
Ellsworth met with six New England companies over the first two days of the mission. Although all of his meetings have been positive, two in particular have led to business for the Island-based company that designs and manufactures industrial and marine distribution, automation, switchgear and control equipment. In Boston, Ellsworth met with representatives of Beckman Enterprises Inc., a manufacturing agent from Frenchtown, New Jersey. Following the two hour meeting, Beckman has agreed to represent Island Controls all across the United States.
Another objective of the mission is to partner with companies in the region, and Ellsworth has succeeded in doing just that. R.E. Mitchell of New Bedford, Massachusetts has been in the business of selling engines and generator sets for the New England area for over 50 years. Island Controls and R.E. Mitchell will work on two projects together in the United States in the near future. Mitchell will supply engine and generator sets, and Island Controls will supply electrical distribution.
"New doors of opportunity have really been opened up for us in all locations across New England," said Premier Binns. "This mission has allowed our Island companies to demonstrate to these businesses that our products are of the same high quality and can be competitive in this market."
Another Island company, Royalty Hardwoods of Georgetown, is also realizing benefits from this mission. They met with Father and Sons Floorworks, a specialty retailer in Boston, on Monday and Martinus Rose left that meeting with a greater optimism for the future. "Our production fits perfectly into their needs and vise-versa," said Rose. "The results of this mission could be significant growth to our company."
Both Ellsworth and Rose are entering the second stage of the mission with greater optimism and the knowledge that their trip to New England will result in potential business and certain follow-up when they arrive home to the Island.
Team Atlantic is an initiative of the Conference of Atlantic Premiers and is being funded by the Canada/Atlantic Provinces COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development, a pan-Atlantic trade agreement between the federal government, represented by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Industry Canada, and the four provincial governments.
Representatives of 40 Atlantic Canadian companies met with a total of 80 Vermont companies yesterday to try to generate business opportunities in this region. A number of companies from across Atlantic Canada have already made sales and made important business contacts.
Delegates for the mission arrived in Boston Sunday night and will travel to Manchester, New Hampshire today and Portland, Maine, on Thursday.