Province Helps Bridgewater Company Meet Export Demand

The province of Nova Scotia is helping a Bridgewater-based manufacturer become more globally competitive.

More than 95 per cent of ECI Medical Technologies' annual sales are exports. A short-term loan of $250,000, provided through the Industrial Expansion Fund, will help the company further realize its export growth potential.

"This investment will help ECI meet export demand," said Richard Hulburt, Minister of Economic Development. "The company uses unique technology and continues to develop new products."

ECI houses a state-of-the-art facility, which manufactures synthetic surgical gloves. This product has a unique market; primarily health-care workers who have allergies to natural rubber latex. ECI has a workforce of 50 with an associated annual payroll of over $1.4 million.

The worldwide market for synthetic surgical gloves is estimated at $90 million, with the majority of business taking place in the US and the European Union Countries. ECI is currently in discussions with a potential partner to expand its manufacturing base.

"We appreciate the confidence and ongoing support of the province in assisting ECI with achieving our goals," said Keith Boulter, president and CEO of ECI.

The Industrial Expansion Fund offers a variety of financial assistance to help the province's economy. Over the past two years, it has helped create or maintain more than 3,000 jobs in the province, and has a return on investment of three dollars for every dollar spent.