Lab Lease Supports Nova Scotia Business

Companies that rely on environmental testing laboratories to prepare their products for export can still get those products assessed in Nova Scotia.

Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage announced today, Sept. 17, that EADS Composites Atlantic of Lunenburg will lease the assets of InNOVAcorp's Environmental Simulation Laboratory (ESL) in Woodside. Composites holds the option to buy the equipment at the end of three years and renew the lease on the building.

"This transaction will help small- and medium-sized businesses grow and will help them export," said Mr. Fage. "A private sector partner that has access to broad markets will also make ESL a more viable operation for the province."

ESL is a multi-purpose testing lab that recreates and controls a variety of extreme environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, vibration and corrosion. Industry relies on this kind of testing to ensure that products will perform in their intended environments.

The agreement allows Composites Atlantic to enhance its services to the aerospace sector and increase sales.

Composites Atlantic is a leader in the design and manufacture of advanced composites for aerospace, space and defence industries. The company, which is a subsidiary of the French aerospace company EADS, serves global markets and employs more than 170 skilled workers.

The National Research Council operated the lab in Woodside under an agreement with InNOVAcorp between 2001 and 2003. InNOVAcorp operated the lab directly until 2001, when it divested itself of applied-development activities to focus on its goal of helping early-stage Nova Scotia technology companies commercialize their products. InNOVAcorp undertook a North American search for a partner to keep the lab operating.