Clipper Services, an Island manufacturer of industrial and residential air freshening products, has recently expanded its operation in West Royalty. Since relocating from Alberta a year ago, the company has more than doubled its sales.
With this expansion, Clipper Services has increased the size of its facility from 3,800 to 7,400 square feet and acquired new production equipment. These improvements will allow the company to increase sales and more efficiently supply customers with large volumes of products.
Clipper Services' major client, American Air Filter (AAF), was in Prince Edward Island last week to build on an existing contract with the company, a deal worth more than $1 million dollars. AAF is the largest air filter manufacturer in North America and sells its products to industrial clients such as General Electric, General Motors and the US Military.
"I am pleased with the response we received from America Air Filter while they visited our operation in Prince Edward Island," said Richard Parke, Co-owner and Operator of Clipper Services. "They've asked us to develop three new products as well as potentially do the production and assembly work for one of their existing product lines. The company was pleased to see our increased production capabilities and, as a result, are providing us with even more business."
Clipper Services products are sold through a number of major retailers in North America including Walmart, Home Depot, and Meyers. Clipper Services continually develops and introduces new products to its customers including new lines of air fresheners, odorizers, deodorizers (in plastic form) and has capabilities for plastic extrusion, flexible packaging, and bottling.
"It's innovative entrepreneurs, like Richard and Beatrice Parke, that create such a strong economy for the province," said the Honourable Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "We are very pleased to see Richard returning home to the Island with such a successful manufacturing operation and we look forward to working with his company as it grows and expands into new markets."
Clipper Services presently employs 13 people. It is anticipated that as the company continues to grow, it will employ more than 20 people over the next two years.
"Clipper Services feels fortunate in having found experienced and dedicated staff," said Beatrice Parke, Co-owner and Operator of Clipper Services. "Richard and I credit them with being the basis for the success of our enterprise."
Richard Parke, originally from Prince Edward Island, moved to Alberta in 1976. In 1995, Clipper Services became a supplier of niche products for American Air Filters International and has been building on that relationship ever since.
Clipper Services received support for both its re-location and expansion from Prince Edward Island Business Development (PEIBD), the lead business development corporation for the Province. Through its Business Expansion Division, PEIBD assists Island entrepreneurs in developing and advancing sound business development initiatives across the province.