Photo: xwave solutions.
The head office for xwave solutions
in St. John�s.
Commercializing New Products
Guign�
Guign� Inc. is comprised of two subsidiary firms��Guign�
International Ltd., a research and development firm specializing in
acoustics, computer engineering, mathematics and marine ecology; and
Guign� Technologies Ltd., a firm designed to commercialize emerging
technologies. Products marketed by Guign� Inc. are based on
applications of the firm�s innovative patented "Smart Acoustics�"
technologies or architecture known as Space-DRUMS� (Dynamically
Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System), and span the space, defence,
pharmaceutical, environmental monitoring, aquaculture, and food
processing industries. Space-DRUMS�, is scheduled to take off aboard
the space shuttle in September 2000 where it will be used in the
creation of new materials in a micro-gravity environment on the
International Space Station.
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An Expanding Private Sector
Aliant
Aliant Inc. was established in June 1999 as a merger
of four Atlantic Canadian telecommunications companies: NewTel
Enterprises Ltd., Bruncor Inc., Island Telecom Inc., and Maritime
Telegraph and Telephone Company Ltd.
xwave solutions
xwave solutions, a St. John�s based Aliant
subsidiary with over 1,600 professional staff, provides consulting,
software engineering, systems integration, enterprise management and
value-added reselling technology services to clients in
telecommunications, oil and gas, and the public sector. xwave
maintains seven Canadian offices and one U.S. based office. Over the
past year, it has purchased Ottawa-based firms Software Kinetics Ltd.
and Prior Data Sciences Ltd. In 1999, the Company was awarded Company
of the Year by the Newfoundland Association of Technical Industries
and won the national Canadian Youth Employment Award. xwave recently
entered into an agreement with the Department of Government Services
and Lands to implement an online personal property registration system
to allow individuals and institutions to record their financial
interest in personal property.
Stratos Global Corporation
Stratos Global Corporation, a St. John�s-based
Aliant subsidiary, is a remote communications solutions provider
offering a diverse portfolio of communications services to users
working in a variety of maritime and land industries. The firm was
recently awarded a long-term US$48-million contract by the U.S. Navy
to provide INMARSAT-B high speed data lease services.
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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
The Province�s advanced technology sector is building a reputation for
excellence and competitiveness in niche areas such as telecommunications,
marine and cold ocean engineering, environmental and remote-sensing
technologies, telemedicine, and marine biotechnology.
Advanced technology industries are continuing to emerge in the Province.
They are characterized by high growth rates and an increasing number of
public/private and inter-firm partnerships. These characteristics��together
with a solid research and development base and industry support network��point
toward increased capacities and capabilities and stimulate new business
formation. Further growth will stem from opportunities in the oil and gas
and other local industries, federal procurement, and opportunities for niche
products and services in the international market.
Promoting Research &
Development
The GENESIS Centre
The
GENESIS Centre of Memorial University, established in 1997, helps
entrepreneurs gain access to marketing, finance and management
expertise, and connects them to multi-disciplinary expertise resident
at the University. Firms seeking support must demonstrate
entrepreneurial capability and plan to pursue an export-oriented,
technology-based product or service. Support is provided for up to
three years, and up to 20 clients can be accommodated at a time.
In December 1999, INNOVA Multimedia Ltd. became the
first graduate from the Centre. This firm, established in 1994 and a
GENESIS client for two years, provides multimedia products and
services that help students learn core curriculum topics such as math,
science, language, and social studies. The Centre currently has nine
other clients, and expects two of these to graduate within the next
six months. |
Firm success in the advanced technology industries is dependent on
competitiveness, research and development, innovation, creativity,
international marketing and human resource development. Industry
associations and agencies, such as Operation ONLINE Inc., the Newfoundland
Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), the Newfoundland Association of
Technical Industries (NATI), and the Newfoundland Environmental Industries
Association (NEIA) assist sector development through networking and
promotion, identifying business and market opportunities, and identifying
human resource development needs.
Information Technology
There are over 200 information technology companies in the Province,
employing 4,000 workers, and exporting goods and services to over 40
countries. Industry growth is significant: real GDP in the computer and
related services industry grew almost 13% annually since 1992 and industry
surveys indicate that IT employment grew by over 13% annually from 1993 to
1996 and by about 24% annually since 1996. Local firms provide a range of
communications infrastructure and services as well as develop and
manufacture software, telecommunications equipment, instrumentation devices
and peripheral computer equipment.
Marine and Cold Ocean Technologies
This area focuses on marine geomatics, offshore oil and gas engineering,
ice management, marine communications and navigation, naval architecture,
resource utilization, and fisheries technology. Industry surveys indicate
that 18% of Canadian marine technology firms are located in this Province,
including Nautical Data International and Instrumar. Most firms in this area
maintain high levels of export sales. Private sector development is
supported by research and development institutes such as C-CORE, the
Canadian Centre for Marine Communications and the Canadian Centre for Marine
Simulation.
Environmental Technologies
This area focuses on environmental consulting and engineering, waste
management, and research and development. Industry surveys indicate that
there are 200 firms operating in environmental technology. These firms,
including Jacques Whitford Environmental and AGRA Earth and Environmental,
employ 2,000 people, and serve clients in the oil and gas, pulp and paper,
and government sectors.
Defence and Aerospace
About 30 local firms are engaged in defence and aerospace procurement
activities. In defence, local firms such as Terra Nova Shoes, Newfoundland
Bonding and Composites and Northstar Inc. manufacture combat footwear,
instrument control panels and marine and radar surveillance products. As
well, they are engaged in maintenance repair and overhaul services. In
aerospace, firms such as Guigu� International and Newtech Instruments are
engaged in micro gravity research and aeronautical robotics.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology offers significant opportunity in the Province. To date,
industry development has focused primarily on research and development.
However, commercial applications such as antifreeze proteins used to
preserve cells, tissues and organs; antibodies used in bone marrow matching
and treatment of arthritis; and health related nutraceutical products are
being developed and marketed. Private sector firms include Atlantic Marine
Products and Terra Nova Biotechnologies. Biotechnology research and
development is ongoing through various institutes and faculties at Memorial
University and the North Atlantic Fisheries Centre.
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