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.

 

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.

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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