IRDI gets government grant
Canadian Plastics
The federal government has announced it will contribute $3 million to the Industrial Research and Development Institute in Midland, Ont. The money will be used to support the IRDI's mandate of facilit...
The federal government has announced it will contribute $3 million to the Industrial Research and Development Institute in Midland, Ont. The money will be used to support the IRDI’s mandate of facilitating technical and commercial innovation by Canadian small and medium-size businesses. The contribution was announced in August by John Manley, Minister of Industry. IRDI’s seed funding from the government ended in 1997. At that time IRDI announced a number of initiatives, including training programs, intended to bring economic self-sufficiency.
Paul Tichauer, president and CEO of IRDI, has indicated that federal contribution will be used to strengthen IRDI’s abilities to meet Canadian SME’s process and part commercialization needs, enhance partnering and expand awareness of its capabilities among more industry players.
“SME’s are far less able to fund research and less likely to know how to go about it than larger companies. We want to help them,” says Tichauer.
Tichauer notes that the ability to do commercial-scale research sets IRDI apart from some other R&D resources.
Management buy-out at B.C. molder
Comptec Inc. and its subsidiary Comptec International Ltd. have been acquired by a partnership of investors that includes the company’s senior management team and Vancouver, B.C.-based investors. The company will retain the Comptec name and operate under the current management team.
The acquisition includes injection molding capabilities in Surrey, B.C. and Custer, WA, supporting technology, automation and tooling capability. Comptec operates 40 injection molding presses plus custom lines for automated decoration and assembly in two facilites. The plant in Surrey is a 50,000 sq. ft. plant completed last year.
Comptec has capabilites for multi-shot, multi-material processing; in-mold decorating; insert molding; single-shot molding; sublimation printing; and laser printing. It serves automotive, telecommunications, electronics, industrial and medical markets.
The new owners have stated an intention to continue to invest in technology and process development.
Winnipeg molder doubles size
Injection molder Melet Plastics Inc. has completed a major expansion to its plant in the St. Boniface Industrial Park in Winnipeg, Man. Total production and office space have doubled to 30,000 sq. ft.
Melet is a custom injection molder and moldmaker, and has two affiliated businesses. The company markets a line of water heater drain valves throughout North America, and has a division called AmbuTech that manufactures and markets a line of mobility canes for blind and visually-impaired persons.