– by Bill Cooke –
The Technology and Advanced Manufacturing industries today rank as two of Lower Vancouver Island’s major economic drivers. Often hard to separate and effectively categorize, companies in these industries continue to experience robust annual growth numbers. It was recently reported by VIATeC (Victoria Advanced Technology Council) that the Greater Victoria tech sector has grown to over 900 known technology companies, employing more than 15,000 people and generating in excess of $2.5 billion in annual revenues with an economic impact of over $3 billion, making advanced technology Greater Victoria’s number one private industry. Did you know that a large percentage of these companies are located on the Peninsula? When and how did this phenomenal success story start and why does it continue to this day? These are a few of the questions that we will briefly explore in this introduction.
The Peninsula is renowned for its beautiful and active maritime, oceanographic and coastal environment. Whereas we’re inclined to appreciate its beauty and tourism-related features, it was this ocean environment that provided the catalyst and spark for the region’s initial technology industry cluster to form on the Peninsula. Early in the 1980’s through to the 1990’s, the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) laboratories seeded our local community with technology transfers and highly educated, entrepreneurial individuals wanting to start their own private companies. At that same time, the companies recognized that if they were to succeed, they were going to have to cooperate and share business and market knowledge amongst themselves. They consequently created the Sidney Breakfast Club (SBC) in 1992 as an informal group used to discuss their management issues, interact with government agencies and focus marketing efforts. As a direct result, over that period, a core group of about 30 companies were formed and were soon collectively generating over $60M worth of revenues per year with products exported world-wide. The SBC continues to operate today, still sharing knowledge with successful experienced CEOs helping new entrepreneurs to grow their own start-up companies.
In addition to the local SBC group, the more formal technology industry association, VIATeC, was started in Victoria in 1989. This group focused on the whole technology sector of lower Vancouver Island and encompassed all types of technology companies and support sector services. Taking advantage of Industry Canada business related funding, fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging networking were all essential ingredients to industry growth, features that are prevalent in all aspects of Peninsula-based business entrepreneurship. But there are other factors that have been conducive to Peninsula-based industry growth. The airport and its associated land-lease policies have directly contributed to helping grow business on the Peninsula. Progressive land-use policies, accessibility to convenient transportation options and the required large-parcels of land have been key business development drivers.
Today’s Peninsula Technology and Advanced Manufacturing environment benefits from 30 years of creativity and innovation, progressive land-use policy and pioneering entrepreneurs. It’s an exciting place to conduct and grow business.
Bill Cooke, P.Eng. Chair, Sidney Breakfast Club. John Juricic, ED, Sidney North Saanich Industrial Group. For more information about the Sidney Breakfast Club contact cooke@ieee.org.
Introducing our Companies and CEOs:
We think of our Saanich Peninsula as farmland and forest surrounded by stunning coastline, when in fact it is a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurs. Although high-tech industry encompasses diverse product lines and scales of production, all of the companies in this sector share the same goals of research, development and pushing boundaries. Featured are just a few of the companies that have developed within our thriving technology and advanced manufacturing sector.
VRX RACING SIMULATORS
Robert Stanners, CEO/Owner
Creates the world’s most advanced racing and flight simulators. Since 1999, VRX has focused on quality and craftsmanship to create an extremely accurate representation of the motor racing and flight experience for professionals and enthusiasts all over the world. VRX pride themselves on providing a quality product, as well as having the ability to customize and create a simulator that does what you need it to – every time.
www.vrx.ca
CAMACC
Ho Kim, President and CEO
Headquartered in Saanichton, CAMACC has grown over 16 years to become North America’s premier security systems integrator, with offices in Canada, USA and China. CAMACC designs, builds and installs security systems for small to very large businesses, and so far has installed more than 200,000 cameras, 8,000 DVRs, and 100,000 door controllers! CAMACC was recently named 2104 VIATeC Technology Company of the Year, and CEO Ho Kim was awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 Pacific.
www.camacc.com
AEOLIS WIND POWER CORPORATION
Juergen Puetter, CEO and president
Developed BC’s first wind farm, 102 MW Bear Mountain Wind Park near Dawson Creek. Aeolis has long-term leases for many other prime wind farm sites in northeastern BC, as well as on Vancouver Island. Aeolis is poised to provide renewable electricity to upstream, midstream, and downstream operations of BC’s LNG industry, as well as other future sources of demand for renewables in the province, including the production of reduced and low-carbon liquid fuels.
www.aeoliswind.ca
BLUE FUEL ENERGY CORPORATION
Juergen Puetter, CEO and president
Currently developing a world-scale project at our 1000-plus acre site in northeastern BC that will use renewable energy (wind, hydro) and natural gas to produce reduced- and low-carbon gasoline. The gasoline will be marketed in North American jurisdictions with a low-carbon fuel standard, including BC and California. Currently in the final permitting stages, BFE’s project will bridge our current carbon-based economy with a future low-carbon economy.
www.bluefuelenergy.com
SCOTT PLASTICS LTD
Robin Richardson, V.P.Operations
Founded in 1952 this family owned business is currently run by its 2nd generation with the 3rd generation already working in the business. Manufacturers of the SCOTTY line of Sports Fishing, Marine, Outdoor and Paddle Sports Products, as well as the Scotty Fire Fighter Product line of firefighting equipment. They are custom injection molders and mold makers for over 50 companies in the Pacific North West whilst continuing to develop products for the expanding Kayak and Paddle Board markets. Currently has 100 employees with 60% of all sales going to export markets. Scott Plastics has seen a sales growth of over 20% in 2013/2014.
www.scotty.com
AVENUE INNOVATION
Erik Djukastein, CEO
Folks with mobility challenges around the world get into and out of their cars easier, thanks to the invention of the Handybar by Ian Stewart. Listening to customers has led to the company offering many unique auto accessibility products under the ‘AVIN’ family brand and subsequent expansion into medical products distribution. Recent significant growth has come from the addition of several best of breed distribution lines including crutches, bed rails and kinesiology tapes.
www.avenueinnovations.com
AXYS ANALYTICAL
John Cosgrove, PhD, President
Internationally recognized as the leading ultra-trace laboratory for contaminant analysis, for 40 years, AXYS has solved challenging environmental research problems for clients, via innovative mass spectrometry methods that often become the basis for federal regulatory measurements. AXYS breakthroughs led to AXYS Technologies and Seastar Chemicals – companies that continue to innovate in their respective markets. AXYS is committed to scientific advancement and now offers novel services in metabolomics and proteomics for environmental and life science applications.
www.axysanalytical.com
THE RAMSAY GROUP
Greg Ramsay, President and CEO
Known for their diversification and ability to handle a wide range of large scale metal fabrication projects where both expertise and precision are critical. Ramsay innovates so that they can deliver their product in sections of up to 1000 tonnes each. The company is permitted to use the main runway at YYJ to access their Barge Facilities in Pat Bay and transport worldwide. Wherever possible everything is pre-fabricated and assembled right here in Sidney. Formed 111 years ago The Ramsay Group comprises Ramsay Machine Works Ltd, The Ramsay Group Ltd, EMCS Industries Ltd, GFR Industries Ltd, ICC Corporation, Orca Environmental Corporation and Consolidated Pacific Industries.
www.ramsaygroup.com
TERRA REMOTE SENSING
Rick Quinn, CEO
Known for their diversification and ability to handle a wide range of large scale metal fabrication projects where both expertise and precision are critical. Ramsay innovates so that they can deliver their product in sections of up to 1000 tonnes each. The company is permitted to use the main runway at YYJ to access their Barge Facilities in Pat Bay and transport worldwide. Wherever possible everything is pre-fabricated and assembled right here in Sidney. Formed 111 years ago The Ramsay Group comprises Ramsay Machine Works Ltd, The Ramsay Group Ltd, EMCS Industries Ltd, GFR Industries Ltd, ICC Corporation, Orca Environmental Corporation and Consolidated Pacific Industries.
www.ramsaygroup.com
