Diversified Metal Engineering (DME) has doubled its production capacity and increased its workforce to meet the demands created by its success in manufacturing equipment for the American micro-brewery market.
The DME facility was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony today in the West Royalty Industrial Park, where DME has constructed a 10, 000-sq. ft. addition to its plant. Taking part in the ceremony were George Proud, MP for Hillsborough, representing Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Veterans and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, ACOA), Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Robert Morrissey; and Peter Toombs, president of DME.
DME, founded in 1991, has built its success on the custom design, fabrication and installation of small- to medium-sized brewery systems (micro-breweries) for the United States market, but it also makes other specialized stainless steel processing equipment for the food and beverage industry in a number of other countries. More than 85 per cent of its products are sold in the export market.
‘A growth in the market in these areas has resulted in the original plant operation running at full-capacity and requiring shift work and substantial overtime to meet market demands,' said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay.
‘This business is an outstanding example of how a small Prince Edward Island company can grow and prosper by aggressively marketing specialized products,' said Mr. Proud. ‘Because of this ACOA was able to offer $377, 301 in the form of a repayable contribution under its Business Development Program.'
‘The expansion of this Island company will result in increased plant efficiency, the employment of an additional 30 people in full-time, well-paid, permanent positions and in positive economic spin-offs to the local economy through the purchase of goods and services,' said Minister Morrissey.
‘At present, international markets continue to grow, and this plant expansion meets our current production needs while also providing needed employment for skilled workers on Prince Edward Island,' said President, Peter Toombs.
ACOA and Enterprise PEI assisted with the financing on a portion of the building construction and equipment.