Wiebel Aerospace Inc. has announced plans to expand into the West Prince Business Park in Bloomfield. Joe McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for Egmont, and MLA for Alberton-Miminegash, Cletus Dunn expressed their support of Wiebel's expansion plans into the western part of the Island.
Wiebel currently employs 42 people at its Summerside facility. The expansion will mean the addition of 15 jobs in Bloomfield, above and beyond regular growth in our Summerside facility. The Bloomfield operation will be housed in a newly constructed manufacturing complex at the West Prince Business Park.
"I am very pleased that the Government of Canada is providing this significant assistance to help Wiebel Aerospace expand its operations to take full advantage of its current and future contracts," said Minister McGuire. "The decision to move a segment of Wiebel's operations into the Bloomfield location is more great news for western Prince Edward Island."
"Prince Edward Island and, in particular, Prince County is fortunate to have attracted such a dedicated entrepreneur as Lindo Lapegna and his experienced team," said Mr. Dunn on behalf of Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "The aerospace industry in Prince County is a major force in our provincial economic growth and diversification. The Government of Prince Edward Island is happy to assist with the growth of a company that demonstrates the vision and hard work of Wiebel Aerospace and its workers."
With a workforce close to 700, the aerospace industry has helped contribute to the continued growth of province's economy. The current EI rate is now the lowest in 25 years. With the help of the aerospace industry, PEI continues to have one of the highest rates of export growth in the country.
Incorporated in 1995, Wiebel Aerospace offers a wide range of goods and services including the manufacture of precision components, repair and overhaul of hydraulic systems and spare parts distribution. Wiebel manufactures parts including activators, shuttle valves, landing gear components and regulator relief valves for other companies such as Goodrich, Orenda and Atlantic Turbines.
Wiebel is closely related and a supplier to Testori Americas Corporation which manufactures interiors for the aircraft and mass transit industries. Testori Americas recently announced plans to move into the new manufacturing facility in Bloomfield. Additionally, Wiebel will occupy facilities that are located in Slemon Park, PEI.
President Lindo Lapegna is more than pleased with the expansion plans that are going to take place in both Bloomfield and Summerside, PEI. "These are exciting times in the aerospace markets, and we look forward to having the capacity to meet our worldwide contracts on PEI," said Lapegna. "The workforce and their dedication make it possible to be competitive in a fairly remote area."
The Government of Canada provided a repayable contribution of $500,000 through ACOA's Business Development Program. The Department of Development and Technology, provided $300,000 through Prince Edward Island Business Development.