Breaking Ground in Fence Business
A Yarmouth company is establishing a manufacturing facility to produce a revolutionary new electric fence, called ElectroBraid, developed in Nova Scotia.
E.B.F. Manufacturing Ltd. will create 38 permanent full-time jobs with the help of $1.1 million in funding from the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.
ElectroBraid eliminates the harmful injuries and maintenance problems of other fences by using technology from the fishing industry. The company constructs the fences by braiding pure copper wire conductors with tough long-lasting polyester fibre. Production is done on a high-quality marine yacht braid machine.
Human Resources Development Canada is providing $500,000 in non-repayable support from the Transitional Jobs Fund. ACOA is contributing $294,000 in the form of an interest-free loan from its Business Development Program to help purchase production equipment and undertake marketing activities. Economic Development and Tourism will provide an interest-bearing loan of $325,000 for production equipment.
Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, announced federal government assistance on behalf of Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, and Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Provincial government assistance was announced by Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, on behalf of Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.
"This project creates 38 full-time jobs and is a prime example of how all levels of government are working together with the private sector to provide good employment opportunities for Nova Scotians," said Senator Graham. "Today's announcement is proof of the federal government's commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth in Nova Scotia."
"We're delighted to help E.B.F. turn Nova Scotia innovation into a profitable export business," said Mr. Huskilson. "This company will have a very positive impact on the local economy. The prospects are very good for E.B.F. and for Yarmouth."
The company has presented ElectroBraid at trade shows in Calgary, Halifax, Toronto and Florida and has received positive feedback, said E.B.F. president David Bryson. "ElectroBraid is a much safer fence, it is economical to install, and it requires little maintenance," said Mr. Bryson. "The electric charge deters animals from touching the fence, but the shock is harmless, even to children or young animals."
ElectroBraid can be used as a permanent fence for horses and cattle, or as a portable fence for rotational grazing, to protect gardens from deer and to protect riverbanks from erosion by cattle.
The company's plans are to market first to the horse industry in Canada and the United States through trade shows. E.B.F. is setting up ElectroBraid fence installers throughout North America. International marketing will begin next year. The Internet plays a key marketing role through the company's website, www.electrobraid.com. E.B.F. anticipates substantial sales and employment growth into the new century.
"The government assistance is very important to this project," said Mr. Bryson. "All of North America, South America and Europe can now be supplied from right here in Yarmouth."
The federal government's Transitional Jobs Fund promotes economic growth and employment in areas of high unemployment. The fund was implemented at the same time as the Employment Insurance System on July 1, 1996, and assists regions throughout Canada to develop long-term sustainable employment in areas with good prospects for future growth.