SASKATOON, SK, April 21, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is providing over $4.1 million to support innovation and international trade in Saskatchewan's agricultural equipment manufacturing sector in an investment announced today by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, at Morris Industries Ltd.
Morris will receive $3,457,953 through the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative to commercialize an advanced manufacturing technology for its production process while Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) will receive $700,000 through the Western Diversification Program (WDP) to rent trade show floor space at Agritechnica 2017 in Hanover, Germany.
The advanced manufacturing technology commercialized by Morris with the WINN funding enables the company to increase production capacity, offer new technology features in its products, while increasing its global competitiveness.
Morris will showcase its new features in its products when it attends Agritechnica in November, along with more than 40 western Canadian agricultural equipment manufacturers, agricultural service companies, and technology companies.
Agritechnica, with an attendance of 450,000 visitors from over 75 countries, is the world's most important trade show for western Canadian companies seeking to enter and maintain existing European markets and other international markets.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support innovation to help companies such as Morris remain competitive in a tough market. We are also pleased to support partnerships such as the one with STEP that will help our innovative manufacturers increase their global presence and increase international sales and investments. Organizations like these are promoting economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and furthering Canada's innovation landscape."
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
"Agritechnica serves as a cornerstone venue for STEP's proactive, export trade initiatives in Europe's overseas markets. Agritechnica has evolved into the premier international expo for STEP members in the agricultural equipment supply chain. Today's announcement of the Government of Canada's support and the funding assistance provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada will provide the necessary tools to ensure that Saskatchewan exporters are able to continue down a successful path of increasing their profile and sales and take full advantage of the new opportunities provided by CETA."
- Chris Dekker, President and CEO with Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)
"Manitoba companies have identified Agritechnica as a priority activity to promote their goods and services. Accessing new markets is critical for our manufacturers for continued growth. We are pleased to support participation at Agritechnica in order to create new opportunities for Manitoba businesses to compete and succeed in the global marketplace."
- The Honourable Cliff Cullen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise, and Trade
"Morris has a history of being an innovative company backed by solid customer service. We are excited that our customers all over the world will benefit from exciting new technology enhancements enabled by the advanced manufacturing technology that we are installing. We are grateful to be chosen by the Government of Canada as one of Saskatchewan's most innovative companies through a competitive selection process, resulting in a significant investment by Morris to match the WD WINN funding, accelerating our plans, and positioning us for growth in the future. This project builds on Morris's 88-year track record as a globally competitive agricultural equipment manufacturer that uses leading-edge technology."
- Ben Voss, President of Morris Industries Ltd.
Additional Links
- Government of Canada Supports Western Canadian Presence at Agritechnica 2015
- Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
- Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative
- Morris Industries
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED, @Morris_Seeding, @SaskTrade
WD Homepage
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388
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Backgrounder
Investing in Western Canadian Agricultural Manufacturing Exporters
The Government of Canada is committed to helping grow Canadian businesses into globally competitive firms. To help reach that commitment, it is providing $700,000 to Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) to raise global awareness of western Canadian agricultural equipment manufacturers and service companies at the international agricultural equipment trade show, Agritechnica 2017, in Hanover, Germany, November 12-18.
This investment, provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada's (WD) Western Diversification Program, will allow STEP to rent approximately 3,000-square metres of floor space for STEP and Manitoba Trade and Investment (MTI) participants and others from across Canada. STEP and MTI will plan and organize two pavilions under a common Canada brand.
Agritechnica, with an attendance of 450,000 visitors from more than 75 countries, is the world's most important show for western Canadian companies seeking to enter and maintain existing European markets and other international markets.
The investment will provide an opportunity for over 40 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Western Canada to pursue international export sales and business opportunities. Many of these companies may not have the resources to participate in Agritechnica on an individual basis. It is expected that participation in the trade show will result in 1,200 trade leads and approximately $70 million in sales within one year.
STEP is a privately-led, not-for-profit corporation supported by the public and private sectors. It leads the province's export industry and assists Saskatchewan businesses with global marketing opportunities.
Additional Links
- Government of Canada Supports Western Canadian Presence at Agritechnica 2015
- Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
- Manitoba Trade and Investment
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED, @SaskTrade, @AGRITECHNICA 123
WD Homepage
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired):1-877-303-3388
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Supports Advancements in Farming Technology
The Government of Canada is committed to building Canada as a global centre of innovation — one that focuses on strengthening the middle class by creating jobs, driving growth across all industries, and improving the lives of all Canadians. To this end, it is providing $3,457,953 to Morris Industries Ltd. (Morris) to commercialize an advanced manufacturing process and create new farm equipment products.
Funding support, provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada's (WD) Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative, will be a co-investment with Morris to accelerate a capital plan to implement new manufacturing technology that will incorporate advanced features in their products and position the company to remain globally competitive.
Morris will implement new manufacturing technology that enables the use of new materials and methods to offer enhancements to Morris products, a new generation of equipment that benefit farmers with longer product life cycles through increased durability and performance. This technology enables Morris to offer advanced technology to farmers around the world and expand the company's global competitiveness.
Since 1929, Morris has developed and manufactured high-quality equipment and is recognized for farmer-inspired innovative technology and responsive customer support. Their products are sold extensively through Canada, the USA, and Europe, as well as Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
WINN aims to bridge the gap identified in pre-commercialization funding for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), assisting them in the process of bringing their ideas to market-ready products, processes, and services.
Announced in October 2013, WINN will invest $100 million over 5 years in the form of repayable contributions to for-profit SMEs based in Western Canada. With federal support, all projects aim to be on the market within 3 years.
Additional Links
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED, @Morris_Seeding
WD Homepage
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388
SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
Rhonda Laing, Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Telephone: 306-975-5944, Email: [email protected]; Ben Voss, President, Morris Industries Ltd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Telephone: 306-343-5266, Email: [email protected]; Heather Swan, Manager, Marketing and Membership Communications, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, Regina, Saskatchewan, Telephone: 306-787-7942, Email: [email protected]
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