CME - Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - NS Division
What do Nova Scotia and Alberta have in common when it comes to manufacturing? Well, many might not realize it, but manufacturing makes up approximately 10 per cent of our province's Gross Domestic Product--the same percentage as Alberta. And this number hasn't changed much over the last 20 years.
"We've held our own," said Ann Janega, vice president of the Nova Scotia Division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME). "It shows that manufacturing is working smarter and is greatly contributing to the economy of Nova Scotia."
For example, Louisiana-Pacific (LP), a multi-million dollar business, has a mill situated 10 minutes outside of Chester. This building products company has developed a number of brand name products and has expanded into European markets, in addition to their vast North American sales. But LP has done something else that makes them stand out. They are the only Canadian mill that has a waste water treatment plant and an onsite compost facility. For this reason, they've recently been nominated for the Canadian Innovation Award through CME National.
Melissa MacIntyre, a chemical engineer by trade is LP's Environmental Manager. She ensures that the company's products are coming from a mill that is environmentally sustainable.
"The compost has been a great by-product. We're able to sell it as a class A composting product into several different markets," said MacIntyre.
Good news travels fast and in Nova Scotia where word of mouth is a keen marketing tool, MacIntyre fields numerous phone calls daily from people who have heard of the compost people at LP.
Not only has this 34-year-old company turned their waste into a valuable product, they also use a very tight recycling and waste-sorting program in the mill. "We have less than 2 per cent of waste materials going to the landfill. We sort everything, down to the bare bones of what needs to go into the garbage, and the rest is reused and recycled," said MacIntyre.
She also adds, it's the employees at the mill who deserve the credit for this. "They take pride in making sure everything goes in the right containers. The company is very proud of its employees."
As the main employer in the region, LP has 380 staff. These employees have benefitted from local CME initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing training and Innovation Insights – tours of other manufacturing facilities. which highlight the best and brightest in different sectors.
For MacIntyre, who serves as Chair of CME's Environment Committee, the local branch is a key group. "They bring together the different industries within our province, as well as working with the provincial regulators to make sure that the regulations that come out work for everybody," said MacIntyre.
Being a voice for manufacturing is one of CME's main objectives. The organization is Canada's largest and oldest, trade and industry association. Founded 138 years ago, CME's mandate is to promote the competitiveness of Canadian manufacturers and enable the success of Canadian goods and services exporters in markets around the world.
"We try to maintain the profile of our industry in the eyes of government and other stakeholders," said Janega. "We remind decision makers and stakeholders throughout the province about the importance of the industry and the contribution it makes to the economy and to local municipalities."
Their work doesn't go unnoticed. "Membership in CME means you have a larger voice in terms of being heard," said Steve MacDonald, VP Finance at Maritime Paper Products in Dartmouth. "No one company can be heard as loud as the CME voice."
Founded in 1931 in Nova Scotia, Maritime Paper has experienced phenomenal growth in the last 20 years, branching out into New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland. The company, which produces corrugated containers and employs 250 people, has always benefitted from its affiliation with CME.
"The networking component of the local CME is wonderful and so is their ability to provide training programs and skills upgrades," said MacDonald. The local division also brings urban and rural businesses together.
"One of the things about our industry that people may not know is that manufacturing in Nova Scotia is often situated in rural centres," said Janega. "These manufacturing operations become an anchor for these rural communities, making it possible for people to live in small town Nova Scotia, have high paying jobs and maintain a comfortable lifestyle."
CME Nova Scotia represents the majority of manufacturing industries in the province and continues to grow. These companies, comprised of everything from traditional high volume manufacturing to state-of-the-art, knowledge-based manufacturing, employ approximately 39,100 people.
MacDonald, who has recently been appointed Chair of CME Nova Scotia Division, is extremely optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Nova Scotia. "Our province is perfectly situated to meet the challenges of the global markets. Government is showing its support. Things are coming together at a crucial time for Nova Scotia," said MacDonald.
MacDonald adds that Maritime Paper Products has gone to great lengths to invest in its Nova Scotia facilities. Their main plant in the Burnside Industrial Park has one of the most modern corrugators in the world and has recently upgraded to a seven-colour diecutter and printer--among the most sophisticated in North America. "These things speak to the commitment of our owners to Atlantic Canada and to Nova Scotia in particular."
From Maritime Paper's point of view, Nova Scotia is a great place to do business. "It has one of the greatest ports in the world which is beneficial to us for export trade," said MacDonald. "Also, the knowledge base of potential employees here is quite large and the work ethic is great. And there's just an overall commitment to doing well."
CME Nova Scotia agrees. "Nova Scotia businesses are unique. They are resourceful, efficient, and clever at differentiating their products," said Janega. "And they also believe in investing in the people and initiatives of our province."
