Software Developer to Hire
52
A seasoned software development company will soon join the growing ranks of Cape Breton's information technology sector.
TIM Dealer Services Inc. will immediately begin hiring 52 people to research, develop and support software aimed at automotive dealers throughout North America.
As part of the $4.8-million company expansion, the province is lending the company $1.5 million. Human Resources Development Canada is investing $1.3 million through the Transitional Job Fund, and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. is providing a loan of $600,000, for a total federal commitment of $1.9 million.
Today's announcement was made in North Sydney by Premier Russell MacLellan, Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate, on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corp., and Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.
"When companies like TIM locate in Cape Breton, it means our brightest and best get to work right here at home," said Premier MacLellan. "TIM's decision to locate in this area is further proof that we have the people, the infrastructure and the lifestyle needed for information technology companies to thrive."
"Cape Breton is succeeding in its efforts to diversify its economy beyond the traditional industries to include those based on technology," said Senator Graham. "Today's announcement represents a strategic investment in a sector which has a bright economic future."
"This is great news for the community, for the region and for the information technology sector," said Mr. MacDonald. "We're making the investments needed to put our people back to work and to grow a vital sector of our economy. It's an investment we'll get back over and over again, through loan repayments and taxes."
Dartmouth-based TIM Systems Inc. developed the automotive software system over 10 years. It's a PC-based management system that begins tracking clients from the moment they step onto a showroom floor. With online connections throughout an enterprise, it generates up-to-date information needed for job-costing, after-sales support and maintenance of products and services.
Year 2000 compliant software also incorporates necessary accounting information and reports. The company began test-marketing the product in 1993.
"Since that time we've gained substantial market share in the Atlantic Canada marketplace, and we're selling in all other provinces," said Richard MacDonald, company co-founder and CEO. One customer, Autoport Ltd., handles all imported cars coming into Canada via the east coast.
He estimates there are 30,000 dealership locations across North America that can benefit from the company's software.
"Three of the four largest car manufacturers are changing their communications platforms to the Windows environment, and that represents significant opportunities for our software."
The company chose to expand in Cape Breton for several reasons. "The single biggest reason is UCCB," the University College of Cape Breton, said the company CEO. "Its mandate to develop the information technology sector coincides with our own. Our relationship with the university will ensure we have the skills needed to move forward."
A low-stress lifestyle was also a factor. "There's a high-stress factor in developing software. In Cape Breton, we can find a good balance. We also took into consideration the loyalty of the workforce and the lower cost of doing business. All these factors combined to make Cape Breton a more attractive choice."
The company is now searching for a site and expects to be operating within three months. Richard MacDonald expects employment to climb as high as 300 people in the foreseeable future.