Business opportunities continue to surface for Island companies on the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to New England. This is the final day of meetings for companies on the mission.
F.B. Welding Inc., a company specializing in custom designed steel and aluminum equipment, had a great day yesterday. One of his meetings was with a large oyster producer in Connecticut.
"We have an excellent opportunity for a contract in the Magdalene Islands to provide starfish removing equipment for oyster culture," said Floyd Burke, President of F.B. Welding. "One unit is worth approximately $20,000 and they're looking to our company to supply the equipment. It's my understanding that this process is not yet developed in PEI, so there could be some opportunity locally as well. I'm also in discussion with them to produce quahaug graders. This one contract is opening doors for future business with our New England partner."
Another Island company experiencing success on the mission is Island Controls Limited, a designer and manufacturer of marine and industrial control systems.
Eric Ellsworth, President of Island Controls, is looking to capitalize on the opportunities of a booming ship building industry in New England. One of his most successful meetings thus far was with a large marine shipbuilder.
"I've been trying to get a meeting with this company for some time, and was able to take advantage of the profile created by this mission," said Ellsworth. "We've also established a business relationship with a New England company in New Bedford, Massachusetts and will be supplying a control system for the Boston Harbour Redevelopment Project."
This is the final day of the mission, with companies visiting potential clients in southern Massachusetts.
The Team Canada Atlantic mission is an initiative of the Council of Atlantic Premiers in cooperation with the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters. The trade mission is being funded by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).