Springhill-based manufacturing company to increase productivity, capacity to capitalize on growing export markets
February 1, 2019 – Springhill, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Helping Atlantic Canada businesses succeed in technology-driven global markets is key to generating income, spurring growth and strengthening the middle class and those seeking to join it. Surrette Battery Company Limited, Canada's only manufacturer of deep cycle lead acid batteries, is expanding its facility in Springhill, Nova Scotia and incorporating advanced technologies into its production line. This will help the company increase both productivity and capacity while creating up to 18 highly-skilled full-time positions in rural Nova Scotia.
Surrette will incorporate advanced robotics and automation at its production facility, which will also undergo a 25,000 square foot expansion, to better meet the needs of its clients and take advantage of further growth opportunities. Improving processes and enhancing efficiencies will enable the company to expand its workforce, boost its global competitiveness and spur business growth.
The Government of Canada has provided a repayable contribution of $2,450,000 for this project. Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the announcement today. The provincial business development agency, Nova Scotia Business Inc. has also approved a $1,200,247 Innovation Rebate, which will be disbursed after the company installs its equipment.
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will create good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"To grow the Atlantic economy, more businesses must implement advanced manufacturing technologies. This is why the Government of Canada is supporting companies like Surrette Battery Company Limited that are taking the necessary steps to increase productivity and competitiveness to continue to generate wealth in their community."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"Technology, along with international trade, is rapidly changing the way Canadians live and work. Surrette Battery Company has always been on the cutting edge of manufacturing innovations that have positioned it as an industry leader in the production of industrial batteries – a true example of how wind and energy go hand in hand helping to grow a sustainable economy here in Atlantic Canada."
- Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester
"Surrette Battery is a prime example of a Nova Scotia business that has spent its years seeking new and better ways to do valued things for its customers. The province will continue to support businesses through the Innovation Rebate Program, to support the private sector as businesses invest in themselves to innovate and improve productivity."
- The Honourable Karen Casey, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia
"For the past three years, Surrette Battery Co. LTD has been fortunate to enjoy significant year over year growth in the renewable energy, rail and motive power sectors. Although Canada remains a growing market for us, we have expanded our distribution network to include stocking warehouses in more than 20 countries and direct shipments to more than 35 countries from the port of Halifax. Our expansion project will allow our facility to meet current demand while improving the efficiency of overall operations and enable further growth."
- James Surrette, President and CEO, Surrette Battery Company Limited
Quick facts
Surrette Battery Company Limited was founded in 1959 in Springhill, NS, and is a leading North American manufacturer Rolls-brand premium deep cycle lead acid batteries for a variety of applications in the marine, railroad, renewable energy and motive power industries.
Surrette Battery currently employs 82 people and, as a result of this project, will hire an additional 18 highly-skilled workers.
The company was recently awarded a contract to supply up to 60,000 batteries per year for a minimum of five years to export markets in Germany, Italy and France.
The Government of Canada invested $2,450,000 in this project through ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. Nova Scotia Business Inc. has also approved the company for a $1,200,247 innovation rebate.
NSBI's Innovation Rebate Program provides financial incentives on projects that enable a company to increase innovation capacity through private-sector capital investments or adoption of new technologies and business processes. The Innovation Rebate Program provides up to a 25% rebate based on eligible project costs.
The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program supports businesses at various stages of development. This includes helping high-growth firms accelerate their growth, scale up and enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.
The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program continues to build on the objectives of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan.
The manufacturing industry is an important contributor to Atlantic Canada's economy. In 2016, the industry employed more than 78,000 people in the region, while producing goods and services valued at $7.2 billion.
