Two companies that specialize in advanced marine technology manufacturing and services have expanded their operations to Charlottetown following the announcement of a new program aimed at expanding the sector on Prince Edward Island, says Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald.
“Our goal is to attract new businesses to the province to grow the economy, expand exports and create jobs for Islanders,” said Minister MacDonald. “When we announced the new advanced marine technology program in the spring, our goal was to see the establishment of a marine technology hub here on Prince Edward Island. The expansion of Breakwater Management Services and Nautican Research and Development Limited in Charlottetown is a small but significant step in that direction. It shows that these two companies see great potential in our province.”
Breakwater Management Services is focused on providing specialized business development and consulting services to an international client base. The company is owned and operated by Paul Jamer, a 30 year veteran of the marine industry, who has extensive experience with government fleets, oil and gas, and renewable energy companies. The company will be providing consulting services related to business development and targeted sales growth, as well as short term executive placement within this industry. Breakwater will strive to provide world-class products and services that are focused on helping their advanced marine technology sector clients improve safety, reliability and energy efficiency. The company employs two people now with plans to expand to four or more over the coming months.
“Breakwater is pleased to be able to add its name to the growing list of innovative marine companies that call Prince Edward Island home,” said Mr. Jamer. “Aspin Kemp & Associates, MarineNav and others have proven that Island companies are successfully able to lead the world in the development and export of advanced products and technologies. Breakwater is eager to join with Nautican and work with government and commercial stakeholders to develop and grow the Advanced Marine Technology sector in PEI.”
Nautican Research and Development Limited engineers, designs and manufactures hydrodynamic nozzles, propellers, stators and rudders for the marine industry. Their innovative designs allow ship owners to consume less fuel, achieve more power and have better control of their vessels. Owner Elizabeth Boyd is originally from Eastern Prince Edward Island and is very proud to be able to establish part of her business on PEI. Nautican currently has two staff in their Charlottetown office and has plans to grow in early 2016 with a manufacturing presence of three to five employees.
“The Island's skilled workforce, positive business environment and strategic location between European and US export markets makes it a natural fit for our growing commercial marine business,” said Ms. Boyd. “The introduction of the new advanced marine technology program confirmed for us that this is the best place for us to establish and grow our new manufacturing capabilities. And, of course, I am very excited to be able to bring a part of my business home to the Island.”
Both companies will look to collaborate with existing marine technology companies like Aspin Kemp, MarineNav, and Portsmouth Atlantic, who are already well established on Prince Edward Island.
The two companies have offices in the LaunchPad space at the Atlantic Technology Centre on Great George Street in Charlottetown.
LaunchPad assists new businesses by providing mentoring, advice, connections to local groups and associations, funding programs, and subsidized office space. LaunchPad also assists off-Island companies by providing turnkey office space to establish a base of operations on Prince Edward Island.