Wrought iron products, which bring a touch of the past to modern day living, are increasing in popularity and one Prince Edward Island manufacturer, Malpeque Fine Iron Products, has expanded to a new location in Lower New Annan.
Owners Dianne and Eric Schurman; Mr. Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque; and the Honourable Mitch Murphy, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, officially opened today the new manufacturing facility located on the Barbara Waite Road in Lower New Annan. Malpeque Fine Iron Products has been producing home decor and garden accent wrought iron products since January 1999.
"Malpeque Fine Iron Products is a small business that has the potential to continue growing and creating more value-added products. In addition to selling its products on-Island, the company is also exporting to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and beyond," said Mr. Easter on behalf of the Honourable George Baker, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister of Veterans Affairs.
The products are being sold through trade shows and various retail outlets. The handcrafted wrought iron products such as candle holders, towel bars, dinner bells and plant hangers are available at various businesses including Schurman Garden Centres across the province, Home Accents in Charlottetown, The Village Emporium in Murray Harbour, the Cinnamon Tree in Summerside, the Old Forge Pottery & Crafts in Rustico and West Island Florist in Alberton.
"The items produced by Malpeque Fine Iron Products appeal to a broad range of customers from craft and home decorating stores to garden centres. I congratulate Dianne and Eric Schurman on their new location and wish them well as they continue to expand their business," said the Honourable Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology.
"It's exciting to be expanding to a new building. We are also encouraged by the results of a recent trade show in Toronto where some of our products were featured," said Dianne Schurman. "Along with our wholesale business, we are also increasing the amount of custom work we do each year, such as shelving, archways and pool fencing."
To undertake the expansion, Malpeque Fine Iron Products received a $20,000 repayable loan from ACOA's Business Development Program and a $10,000 contribution from Prince Edward Island Business Development Inc.