Productivity Investment Program Helps Modernize Medical Devices Company

A Windsor-based medical devices company will purchase new equipment to modernize and automate its manufacturing facility.

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris toured the company today, Aug. 3.

BioMedica Diagnostics Inc. will buy a new freeze-dryer, and an automated machine to fill containers with its QuikCoag blood coagulation kits, then cap and insert stoppers, with a $193,000 investment from the Productivity Investment Program (PIP).

"The goal of the program and of our jobsHere plan is to equip Nova Scotia businesses to succeed locally and internationally," said Mr. Paris. "This investment will assist BioMedica Diagnostics in boosting productivity and efficiency of their operations, taking their business to the next level."

The new equipment will improve the quality control standards in producing QuikCoag blood coagulation kits by automating the filling, freeze-drying and capping process to prepare it for international shipping. It will also allow BioMedica Diagnostics to complete larger lot sizes, helping them compete for major orders with large international medical supply companies at reduced costs.

"We are very pleased with the PIP investment in our company," said David Rafuse, general manager, BioMedica Diagnostics Inc. "Competing internationally is key in the success of our business, and the new equipment purchases will help us to do just that."

BioMedica Diagnostics Inc. employs 18 people, and distributes products in more than 40 countries within North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Africa.

The PIP program provides financial incentives to encourage businesses to become more productive, innovative and globally competitive by supporting capital investments through the Capital Investment Incentive stream, as well as workplace training and certification through the Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive stream.

For more information on jobsHere and the PIP program, visit http://gov.ns.ca/jobsHere .