C.B. Company a Sound
Business

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--C.B. Company a Sound Business

The sound of success is loud and clear for Fabri-Finish Acoustical.

The young Cape Breton company, operated by MacDonald Gillis of Sydney, is flourishing and is now about to increase production.

Mr. Gillis has been operating his acoustical panel manufacturing business for the past two and a half years. He's provided panels for the set of the former MITV studio in Halifax, the G7 meeting facilities, Moncton City Hall and the newly renovated Neptune Theatre. The company was most recently awarded a contract with Empire Company Ltd. for its new Imax theatre in Halifax. And business continues to grow.

"The business is slowly expanding due to recent interest in noise control," said Mr. Gillis. "The issue is becoming more recognized by architects and designers."

To continue competing successfully, Fabri-Finish Acoustical is investing in new machinery with the help of a $25,000 Small Business Growth Loan from Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Gillis said the new equipment will enable him to produce his acoustical panels faster and more efficiently, making the whole operation more productive.

"This is a wonderful example of a Nova Scotia company carving a niche for itself in the marketplace," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This is an aggressive industry, and government is pleased to support this homegrown business in maintaining a competitive edge."

Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. has contributed $73,185 to the project. "Small business is the backbone of the Cape Breton economy," said Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate. "Expansion projects such as this, with two levels of government working in partnership with the private sector, create jobs and economic growth in local communities."

Fabri-Finish Acoustical, though remaining small with three employees, has established a lucrative Maritime market.

"A lot of small communities want to use their halls as multipurpose rooms now," said Mr. Gillis. "That, with the addition of noise control becoming more recognized, is really helping my business."

Contact:Angela Campbell
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-1728
E-mail: econ.campbeam@gov.ns.ca

Marcie Stanley
Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.
902-564-7876
E-mail: mstanley@ecbc.ca