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Saskatoon has evolved into a major manufacturing centre, with 364 companies employing a workforce of 9,900 people, or 6.7 per cent of the region’s total employment.
The largest three sub-groups within the manufacturing centre are machinery manufacturing, fabricated metal product manufacturing and food manufacturing.
“It’s a big driver in the economy, contributing approximately $1 billion to Saskatoon’s GDP, and $2.8 billion to the provincial GDP,” said Tim LeClair, executive director of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA).
Saskatoon has been identified as one of the world’s most competitive manufacturing centres, in a recent competitive analysis by KPMG. These advantages include access to a highly-trained workforce, a highly competitive provincial and federal taxation regime with special consideration for manufacturers, a City of Saskatoon incentive policy, proximity to resource sectors in Western Canada and a strong transportation network including rail access to two ocean ports.
The range of products being manufactured in the Saskatoon region is diverse – from mining and oil extraction equipment, to computer and electronic products, to food and beverage processing.
JNE Welding is one of Saskatchewan’s largest full service steel fabricators, employing 150 people at two locations in Saskatoon.
Established in 1980, the company serves the mining, environmental, construction, oil sands and power-generating sectors in Canada and the United States. The company’s products are diverse, ranging from power poles for SaskPower, to the air traffic control tower at the Saskatoon airport, to specialized tanks, bins, dryers, chutes and pumpboxes for the resource sector.
Jim Nowakowski, president of JNE Welding, says that his company and other long-time local metal fabricators have been integral to the growth of Saskatchewan’s resource industry, including potash, uranium and oil production. “We’ve been part of the innovative team that has helped the industry develop some of its strength and some of its depth. We’ve grown up with the industry.”
Saskatchewan’s vibrant economy has attracted outofregion competitors who are vying for manufacturing contracts with mining and energy companies. “Some of those companies came and took on work very cheaply. There have been positive and negative experiences for all involved,” said Nowakowski.
“There is great value in working with a local manufacturer. Once a capital project is done, we will still be here. Somebody from outside of the region is not going to have the same level of interest in providing the support that we and other local companies will.”
Nowakowski is excited about the opportunities that are being created as the resource sector expands across the province. “Is there great opportunity for us because of how we’re positioned, because of our reputation in the industry?
For the rest of this article, please go to the Regina Leader-Post website: http://www.leaderpost.com/business/Mining+drives+million+dollar+manufacturing+industry+Saskatoon/6648169/story.html