Harper Government Announces Support for a New Testing and Validation Space for Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs to Accelerate Product Development and Commercialization

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 6, 2015) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Fanshawe College will introduce a collaborative, integrated facility for companies to test their products, with the aid of an investment of up to $8.1 million, announced today by Minister of State (FedDev Ontario) Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology); Ed Holder, Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre; and Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London.

Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology will establish the Canadian Centre for Product Validation, which will allow companies to test and validate their products in one centralized space. Funding will be used towards the construction and start-up of this 20,000-square foot facility in London. This project will help accelerate both the development and the commercialization process for new, southern Ontario businesses and their products, which will benefit from having multiple modes of testing performed in one place.

This federal contribution is the first through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Commercialization Partnerships initiative, which is aimed at encouraging business-led partnerships with post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations to create innovative products, technologies and services. Increased collaboration will help bring ideas from the lab to the marketplace, contributing to southern Ontario's productivity and competitiveness.

Following the announcement, Minister Goodyear and the MPs will visit Sciencetech Inc., an export-oriented manufacturer of innovative instrumentation based on spectroscopy, such as solar simulators that provide light comparable to sunlight used by researchers to test the next generation of solar cells being developed. The company has previously received a contribution of more than $10,000 to help train its workers and increase efficiency, with the support of the Yves Landry Foundation's AIME Global Initiative. The company also hired a Western University graduate student as an intern in 2013 with FedDev Ontario support.

Quick Facts

• Fanshawe College's new facility will be the only one of its kind in Canada to offer full, developmental multi-modal (i.e., electrical, mechanical, environmental and thermal systems) testing of products in one central location.
• The facility will offer testing and validation services to an eclectic list of industry sectors - ranging from military and defence, automotive, aerospace and renewable energy to building products and consumer goods.
• This project is expected to create 115 permanent jobs and 50 temporary jobs during the project. This includes up to 105 jobs at companies that will benefit from the facility's testing services
• The testing centre will be certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• Since 2009, FedDev Ontario has committed almost $350 million to an expected 2,100 direct and indirect manufacturing projects.

Quotes

"This project demonstrates our Government's commitment to building strong, collaborative partnerships between Canadian businesses and the research and development organizations that nurture their growth. Our Government is investing in the right kind of business relationships in the London area which will support and enhance Southern Ontario's vital manufacturing sector."

- Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"This project will foster growth for innovative companies, in a number of different industries, across Southern Ontario. Today's announcement demonstrates our Government's commitment to building competitive and prosperous businesses, while remaining focused on job creation and economic growth."

- Ed Holder, Minister of State for Science and Technology

"Funding for this new centre is great news for t London. This project will create some exciting job opportunities for our region and will allow a number of talented researchers and developers to put their skills to use."

- Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre

"The investment announced today will help Fanshawe College expand its product testing capabilities and introduce a great service to companies and entrepreneurs in this dynamic region."

- Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London

"We recognize that Canada's long-term economic competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy demands businesses that innovate and create high-quality jobs. Through the creation of the Canadian Centre for Product Validation, Fanshawe is well-positioned to help Canada capitalize on new opportunities supporting industry and business to retain and bring jobs and prosperity to our county, while building the skilled workforce of the future."

- Peter Devlin, President, Fanshawe College

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Investing in Commercialization Partnerships Initiative Funding Announcement for Fanshawe College

Backgrounder

Associated Links

• Investing in Commercialization Partnerships

• Fanshawe College

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Backgrounder

About Fanshawe College

Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology is a publicly funded college with a program focus in the areas of engineering, manufacturing, business management and information technology. The college has nearly 50 active research projects underway and provides research and development services through their Centre for Research and Innovation.

Contribution to Fanshawe College

FedDev Ontario is providing Fanshawe College with a non-repayable contribution of up to $8.1 million through the Investing in Commercialization Partnerships Initiative.

Funds for this project will be used to establish the Canadian Centre for Product Validation. This new testing and validation facility will aid local businesses and industries by providing a centralized and integrated testing space for their products. This will help accelerate the product development and commercialization process for new products.

For more information, visit the Fanshawe College website.

Investing in Commercialization Partnerships (ICP) Initiative

ICP aims to address the innovation and commercialization gap between the private sector and research institutions, post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations so that the region can compete on an international platform.

ICP supports business-led partnerships with a focus on developing globally-competitive products and services, or innovation platforms that can demonstrate commercial value. This initiative will encourage businesses to capitalize on regional assets to achieve greater economic and social value from public investments in education and research.

• Increase the capacity of existing and emerging innovation ecosystems within southern Ontario to collaborate with the private sector;
• Create innovative products, technologies and services through business-led collaborations;
• Develop commercially-relevant technology platforms; and,
• Support the development of a critical mass of research and development activity in emerging clusters in southern Ontario.

Post-secondary institutions and incorporated not-for-profit organizations (NFPs), publicly-funded colleges and universities, research institutions, and industry associations located in southern Ontario are eligible to apply under this initiative for projects that are business-led and focus on new technologies or platforms with demonstrated commercial value.

For more information and detailed guidelines, please refer to the FedDev Ontario website at www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca.

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Harper Government announces Support for a New Testing and Validation Space for Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs to Accelerate Product Development and Commercialization

Investing in Commercialization Partnerships Funding Announcement for Fanshawe College