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Central Newfoundland Tourism
 
Business Partnerships

Irish manufacturing deal inked

By Natasha Carberry, The Advertiser

Oliver Rose is a happy man. The Bishop's Falls mayor has learned that Nancy Hanrahan, manager of the Bishop's Falls Development Corporation (BFDC) has been successful in negotiating the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mount Pearl-based Construction Management Technologies (CMT), the Town of Bishop's Falls, and Butler Manufacturing of Ireland.

The agreement came about as a result of the Irish trade mission to Newfoundland in 1999. Ms. Hanrahan is presently part of a provincial delegation, headed by Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra Kelly, that have travelled to Dublin, Ireland, on a reciprocal trade mission.

CMT has signed a licensee agreement with Butler Manufacturing to provide compact packaged sewage treatment plants to the Canadian market. The units will be constructed in Bishop's Falls, providing the pilot project is successful and the town purchases the subsequent 12 units it will need to properly outfit the community's six outfalls.

"What this MOU means is that there is a good possibility we'll have another manufacturing firm located in the town," said Mayor Rose. "If the Department of Environment and Labour, the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and the Department of Health are satisfied with the way the pilot project progresses, there shouldn't be a reason why we wouldn't want to install these compact units on all of the town's outfalls."

"We are also expecting to hear about funding for the sewage treatment project when MP George Baker signs the infrastructure agreement in St. John's Friday," he added. "After the signing, we have been told the (federal minister) will be in Bishop's Falls to discuss the application. Needless to say, we are glad that (Ms. Hanrahan) will be able to return from Ireland with good news."

Tangible Proof

Another person applauding the signing of the MOU between Bishop's Falls, Butler Manufacturing and CMT is the minister. Ms. Kelly, who is leading the Newfoundland delegation's efforts in Ireland, sees the deal between the Irish manufacturer and the province as tangible proof that the Irish Business Partnerships is working, and that the potential for profitable business relationships between firms on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are unlimited.

"The success we have had during this trade mission has been very encouraging," said the minister in a telephone interview with the Advertiser from Dublin. "When you initially put these agreements together, it is very easy to obtain MOU's. But we're very lucky in this case in that it's the Irish prime minister's office who implements it. As you get into that implementation stage, and get two or three successes under your belt, it is much easier to sell the entire program. That is what's happening with the Irish partnership right now."

"In fact, the partnership has been so successful that the Irish government is setting up a board here similar to the one we have in Newfoundland," added Ms. Kelly. "We view the formation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Partnership as a sign of the great confidence Ireland has in doing business with us."

Ms. Kelly said she hopes once the Newfoundland delegation returns to the province at the end of the week, they will have enough business partnerships and possible leads established to keep them busy for a year - or at least until the next Irish delegation returns.

"One of the most important tasks ahead of us is proper follow-up with the contacts we've established in Ireland," she said. "In order for us to ensure that each trade mission is this successful, we have to keep building on our progress. Hopefully, by the time we're ready to come back, many more Newfoundland companies will have expressed an interest in the partnership. We certainly have a lot to build on. A lot of positive things have happened, and I'm very pleased."

In The Press

• Local manufacturer named as one of Top 50 CEO's for 2001 in Atlantic Canada (Atlantic Business Magazine April/May 2001)
• Economic boom expected by mayor (The Advertiser October 23, 2000)
• An ACOA Success Story (The Telegram October 30, 2000)
• Nfld. Styro expansion means new opportunity (The Advertiser August 3, 2000)
• Bishop's Falls, Nfld. - Small Town with a Big Heart (Business East, February/March 2000)
• Irish manufacturing deal inked (The Advertiser)