David O.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism: Province Supports Local, Growing Company, More Rural Jobs
A Hantsport-based manufacturing company is expanding its business and creating 40 more jobs in the Annapolis Valley. The province will support CKF Inc.’s plan to purchase new machinery and upgrade equipment.
“CKF is a successful business with deep roots in Hantsport and an increasing demand for its products. Without the province's support, CKF would not be able to expand its operations and create more jobs for this community,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele. “This investment is another example of the jobsHere plan in action, as the province supports businesses that can compete on a global scale.”
CKF Inc. is a family-based company that manufactures Royal Chinet and other molded pulp and foam products for retail, food service, and packaging industries in both Canadian and US markets. The company also has plants in Ontario and British Columbia, though the Hantsport facility is the only one with the custom-made machinery that makes Royal Chinet products.
The company already employs 260 people.
“With other facilities in Canada and markets across North America, CKF Inc. could have expanded their business somewhere else, yet they chose to keep growing here, meaning more good jobs for people in Hants and the Annapolis Valley,” said Hantsport Mayor Robbie Zwicker, also a CKF employee. “I’m really pleased that some of the new positions have already been filled by workers affected by the closure of Minas Basin Pulp & Power last year.”
New machinery and equipment upgrades will increase productivity, expand product lines for current and new markets, and reduce energy costs by converting to compressed natural gas for part of its production process. Heritage Gas Ltd. will supply the compressed natural gas, which is expected to reduce CKF’s energy costs by up to $1.8 million annually.
Quote from employee Jerry Morine to be added “have worked for this company for over 30 years and I know that any long term investment in the plant is good for the workers and our families, so we can stay home and work”
“These enhancements to our plant will reenergize our business, which is good for the company, but also for our workers and the community that have supported us for more than three generations,” said Michael Green, vice-president of Finance at CKF Inc. “New equipment and the use of compressed natural gas will allow us to be more competitive, and a cleaner, greener operation.”
To support the company's $16.5 expansion, the province will lend CKF Inc. up to $8.7 million and provide $2.6 million in incentives, if CKF completes the capital upgrades.
CKF is Hantsport’s largest employer and has been in operation since 1933.
-----------------------------------------------------
FOR BROADCAST USE
Royal Chinet manufacturer CKF is expanding production at its Hantsport-based facility with the support of the province.
The company’s plan to buy and upgrade manufacturing equipment and convert some of its energy source to compressed natural gas will create 40 new jobs and protect the current 260 jobs at the facility now.
Education and Early Development Minister Ramona Jennex says without a provincial investment, CKF would not be able to expand its operations and create more jobs for the community.
The province is lending the company eight-point-seven-million dollars and providing up to 2-point-six-million dollars in incentives.
CKF is a family-based company and Hantsport’s largest employer. It has been in operation since 1933.
Media Contact:
Tina Thibeau
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-5836
E-mail: thibeatd@gov.ns.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comments. I will publish anonymous comments at my discretion.
-Heather