Minister Goodyear Visits International Custom Products Inc.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 11, 2014) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and Member of Parliament Roxanne James visited International Custom Products Inc. (ICP) today to celebrate the company's business growth in manufacturing and supplying textile based stitched products for the aerospace, defence, automotive and commercial market sectors. Located in Toronto, ICP supplies a diverse range of products and is a major sub-contractor to some of the world's largest manufacturing companies and government financial institutions.

In 2013, ICP received $36,969 towards $73,938 in project costs from the Yves Landry Foundation's (YLF) Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global initiative, to purchase and train employees in E2 Shoptech, an integrated resource planning and shop management computer system for manufacturers. The goal of the system and training was to help the company to be more innovative, improve technology, reduce costs and find ways to increase exports. According to ICP, 125 employees were trained and new manufacturing and manufacturing support jobs were created as a result of the technology adoption and training.

Following the tour, Minister Goodyear attended an information session, where FedDev Ontario representatives outlined programming for local businesses.

Quick Facts:

• FedDev Ontario has contributed a total of $18 million to YLF, which includes $6 million for the AIME Global initiative. Through the AIME Global initiative, YLF has supported over 170 small- and medium-sized enterprises across southern Ontario, trained 5,166 workers, created over 800 jobs, and maintained almost another 800 jobs.
• The AIME Global initiative was established to meet the needs of exporting and export-ready manufacturers in southern Ontario. Through AIME Global, YLF offered training designed to upgrade the skills of workers at small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies, and help manufacturers identify innovative ways to improve productivity and diversify their products.

Quotes

"Helping our manufacturers to upgrade their skills and ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace is the best way we can support them in today's economy. The contribution to International Custom Products Inc. through YLF demonstrates how the Government of Canada is helping manufacturers get the tools they need to modernize and remain competitive."

Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"I am very proud that our Government supports companies like ICP to educate their employees with skills they need to compete in today's manufacturing landscape."

Roxanne James, Member of Parliament, Scarborough Centre

"We are pleased and proud of our partnership with the Government of Canada. Through supporting innovation and skills upgrading of Ontario's workers, this partnership is helping manufacturers in becoming more competitive on a global scale. We know that with efforts like these Ontario can retain and grow essential manufacturing jobs."

Karyn Brearley, Executive Director, Yves Landry Foundation

"Over the past 29 years we have been fortunate to have a strong, Ontario-based operation and our intentions are to keep it that way. Support from the Government of Canada through the Yves Landry Foundation initiative offers the kind of assistance that has helped our company be an effective supplier to major international businesses over these many years."

Bob Harper, President, International Custom Products Inc.

Associated Links

- YLF

- ICP

- FedDev Ontario

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