Aspin Kemp & Associates Lands $80M Contract from GE Canada, Creating 50 Jobs on PEI

National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy Drives Economic Development Across Canada

MONTAGUE, PEI, Oct. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) was awarded an $80M contract with GE's Global Offshore and Marine division to provide switchboards, variable frequency drives, and other electrical components for drilling ships.  The contract is underway and at its peak is expected to generate approximately 50 high-quality trades and professional jobs on Prince Edward Island. 

Although the work under this contract is unrelated to the construction of Canada's new naval fleet, it is a direct result of the federal government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and its goal to generate economic benefits across Canada by building ships at home.  The selection of Aspin Kemp & Associates is part of GE Canada's continuing efforts, as an AOPS Tier 1 supplier to Irving Shipbuilding, to create economic development in Canada in support of Irving Shipbuilding's obligations under Industry Canada's Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) policy.    

"Today's announcement is another proof our Government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is beneficial to PEI's economy," said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. "These new jobs created for Islanders are a direct result of our federal investments. Our entrepreneurs have significant experience in providing services to industries such as aerospace and defence, and our Government will continue its commitment to work towards a stronger economy in which Island businesses will be able to flourish."

"The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy has created a perfect opportunity for innovative Island businesses to work with some of the world's leading firms. Aspin Kemp & Associates is a great company that has created opportunity for skilled Islanders and for others eager to build their careers on Prince Edward Island. We're happy to see this company continue to grow in Eastern PEI," said Prince Edward Island Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allen Roach.

"We are very excited to have been selected by GE as part of the company's global supply chain and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship," said Jason Aspin, CEO, Aspin Kemp & Associates. "We are proud to be delivering industry-changing technology to the marine and oil and gas sectors from our engineering and manufacturing base here in PEI.  We have exceptional, dedicated and hard-working employees and are proud to call Prince Edward Island our home and corporate headquarters."

"Congratulations to Aspen Kemp & Associates and to PEI for establishing an economic environment that fosters the growth of innovative and technologically-advanced companies," said Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding.  "This is a perfect example of how far-reaching the impacts of the national shipbuilding program can be. The NSPS was designed to generate opportunities for shipbuilding trades, technology and systems suppliers, marine professionals and knowledge-building-partners right across Canada, returning economic benefits to Canadians."

GE's Global Offshore and Marine business is dedicated to making technological advances that contribute to a more efficient, safer and cleaner world through innovative technologies.  "This is a great example of how small Canadian businesses can scale their expertise and export to foreign markets by leveraging relationships with larger companies like GE, who have established global supply chains," notes Elyse Allan, President and CEO GE Canada.   "GE is also pleased to be able to assist the Government of Canada in fulfilling the NSPS mandate of bolstering the Marine sector in Canada."

About Aspin Kemp & Associates

Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) is a Canadian engineering firm that provides advanced power systems that lead the industry in reliability and efficiency. From concept to design through manufacturing, the company helps clients innovate to overcome critical power challenges in a variety of industries, particularly marine and offshore oil & gas. Based in Montague, PEI the company has 125 employees and successful projects in countries around the globe.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com/ca.

About Irving Shipbuilding

Irving Shipbuilding is part of the J.D. Irving, Limited Group of companies and is in the business of building quality ships and repairing vessels. The company's primary site is Halifax Shipyard, with three other locations in the Maritime Provinces. Irving Shipbuilding was selected in 2011 as Canada's Combatant Shipbuilder under the merit-based National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is in the early stages of a 30-year military shipbuilding program. The NSPS program is designed to generate opportunities for shipbuilding trades, technology and systems suppliers, marine professionals and knowledge-building-partners across Canada, returning economic benefits to Canadians. Irving Shipbuilding is also currently working on a number of significant projects for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard.

SOURCE: General Electric Canada Inc.

Jeff Muton, Aspin Kemp & Associates, [phone] / [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Deborah Page, Irving Shipbuilding, [phone] / [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Mary Keith , J.D. Irving Limited, [phone] / [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Kim Warburton, GE Canada, [phone] (cell), [email protected]