Harper Government Highlights Canadian Commercialization Success

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Feb. 28, 2011) - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, visited Carlson Engineered Composites Inc. today to announce the results of Government of Canada-funded research and development projects that are supporting commercialization success, such as the company's robotic water-jet cutter. This innovative company received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program. The Minister was joined by several of his caucus colleagues who are visiting other companies across Canada today to highlight similar commercialization successes that are strengthening the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.

"Our government is supporting Canadian companies that invest in research and development to bring new ideas to the marketplace, creating new jobs and strengthening our economy," said Minister Toews. "Carlson Engineered Composites is a Canadian success story and an example of how businesses can succeed when they invest in research and commercialize new discoveries."

Carlson Engineered Composites Inc. developed a robot cell for trimming fibreglass parts using high-pressure water-jet cutting. The equipment was developed, in part, as the result of an Industrial Research Assistance Program investment and is one of only several such robots used in North America for cutting composites.

"As an industry leader in composites, Carlson needed to find the most accurate, efficient and cost-effective way to improve our operations," said Gurcan Kocdag, Executive VP, Operations. "The Industrial Research Assistance Program has allowed us to determine the most feasible technology available in composite cutting operations. The final decision was to move forward with a robotic water-jet cutter that operates at 50,000 psi with utmost speed, accuracy and repeatability. This robotic cell has improved our output by 60 percent with the same labour input. We plan to further expand this robotic cell, which will improve our output a further 50 percent in the near future."

Increasing business investment in research and development is crucial to Canada's long-term competitiveness. To remain at the forefront of the global economy, Canadian businesses must invest in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs. Programs such as the Industrial Research Assistance Program are helping businesses innovate.

Canada ranks first among the G7 countries in terms of expenditures on research and development in the higher education sector as a share of the economy.

Canada's science and technology strategy was launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2007 with the goal of encouraging our businesses to invest in research and development and to bring new ideas into the marketplace for the benefit of all Canadians. Through the 2006, 2007 and 2008 budgets, the government provided an additional $2.2 billion in new funding for science and technology initiatives.

 Years one and two of Canada's Economic Action Plan built on these investments by providing $6.3 billion in additional funding for research infrastructure, research, highly skilled people and commercialization.

For more information on Canada's science and technology strategy, please visit the Industry Canada website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00231.html).