The Government of Prince Edward Island, through PEI Century 2000 Fund Inc. (PEICF) and Innovation PEI, is supporting the expansion of MacDougall Steel Erectors Inc. (MSE), an established structural steel fabrication and erection business located in Borden-Carleton, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allen Roach.
“MSE is a growing manufacturer, exporting nearly all of its product across Canada and to the northeastern USA, and has been a significant employer in rural PEI for the past 16 years. This expansion will enable MSE to increase their production capacity to meet increasing demand for their fabricated structural steel. MSE will also build a training centre where Island workers can be taught how to erect structural steel,” said Minister Roach. “This investment will pay off almost immediately in jobs for Islanders and increased exports for our economy.”
In 2013, MSE employed 130 full-time equivalent positions. This project is expected to create up to 40 jobs over the next two to three years.
PEICF will provide $3.7 million in new financing towards the $4.5 million plant expansion and will also consolidate an existing $1.4 million loan issued for an earlier expansion. Innovation PEI will provide an Innovation and Development Labour Rebate for up to $585,000 towards the 40 new positions to be created and a $41,000 non-repayable contribution towards the training facility. The training facility will be able to educate as many as 30 trainees per year.
MSE will expand its fabrication shop and purchase new automated production equipment. The expansion will increase production capacity to meet increasing demand, enable the fabrication of heavier sections of steel to compete for larger scale projects in western Canada, and improve production capabilities and productivity.
“With this expansion and purchase of equipment we will increase our production capacity allowing us to bid on larger projects within the western region of Canada. We feel this will be a great benefit to both the Company and the Province and are excited for the future,” said Kirk MacKinnon, chief financial officer of MSE.