Northern Development Initiative Trust announced funding approval today for GLC Controls Inc., a full service industrial automation and control systems integration company based in Prince George, under the Northern BC Business Advantage program.
GLC Controls is hiring two new Automation Specialists as well as two new Wiring Technicians as part of its imminent expansion plans to extend the company’s market reach and diversify further into the oil, gas, and mining sectors while strengthening its position in Western Canadian pulp and paper and wood products markets. These new employment positions are integral to the company’s fabrication of control panels, programming of human machine interfaces (HMIs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), as well as system integration at client facilities.
The new manufacturing and system integration positions will benefit from training supported by Northern Development’s Capital Investment and Training Rebate. Upon starting with GLC Controls, the new employees will receive specialized product training delivered by the company’s partners and suppliers as part of GLC Controls’ comprehensive new employee training program.
“Northern Development’s job creation incentive will support our efforts in improving profitability, diversifying and extending the market reach for our integrated control systems,” said Kam Ghuman, President of GLC Controls Inc.
To support the expansion, GLC Controls will also be investing in management system upgrades that include installation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This system will enable the company to manage and monitor a variety of business functions including manufacturing, supply chain management, financials, projects, human resources and customer relationship management. By integrating the management of its business operations, GLC Controls is focused on improving profitability and competiveness with Alberta-based companies in its new markets.
Brian Russell, General Manager for GLC Controls discusses the company’s expansion and hiring plans with Northern Development CEO Janine North
“The Northern BC Business Advantage program builds on the competitive strengths of the region by providing financial assistance for BDC consulting services and by improving the bottom line of central and northern BC manufacturers by up to $10,000 per new job created. We’re very pleased to continue our support for GLC Controls with this announcement,” stated Northern Development CEO Janine North. “We encourage all other manufacturing and value-added companies in our region, and organizations looking to invest or locate in central and northern BC to contact us regarding this innovative business incentive program.”
In 2008, GLC Controls took advantage of Northern Development’s Competitiveness Consulting Rebate, a program available to small and medium sized manufacturers, resource processing companies, and their first-line suppliers with a rebate of 50% of the cost of business competitiveness consulting provided through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The consulting service is provided to assist the business to increase productivity, revenues, and profitability for operations located within the Northern Development Initiative Trust region.
“BDC Consulting provided GLC Controls with an ISO 9001:2000 and Workplace Health and Safety Gap Analysis, which would lead to ISO and COR implementation. Achieving this quality standard and safety accreditation will enable the company to bid on larger contracts and specifically diversify into oil and gas markets, which require these standards,” said Renata King, VP, Prairies and Western Region for BDC Consulting, “Our partnership with Northern Development enables businesses in central and northern BC to access BDC consulting services at half the cost – a significant advantage that lowers the barrier to accessing management support for small and medium size companies in this region.”
Established in 2005, Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focussed on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia. Northern Development will be the catalyst to inject $2 billion every decade into communities within the region to realize their economic potential.
To learn more about the Northern BC Business Advantage program, businesses are encouraged to visit the Northern Development website: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/.
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About Northern Development
Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia. Over $45.5 million in funding has been committed to 278 projects with a total project value of over $285 million.
For information on funding programs and economic development in central and northern British Columbia, visit: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/
Media Contacts
Janine North
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Tel: 250-561-2525
info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Kam Ghuman
President
GLC Controls, Inc.
Tel: 250-562-4343
kam_ghuman@glccontrols.com
Renata King
Vice President, Prairies and Western Region
Business Development Bank of Canada – Consulting
Tel: 604-666-1969
renata.king@bdc.ca
