Canadian deep cycle lead-acid battery maker Surrette is expanding its production facility in Nova Scotia, to “boost its global competitiveness and spur business growth”.
The 25,000 sq. ft. expansion to the Surrette Battery Company’s Springhill plant will be accompanied by the incorporation of “advanced robotics and automation” at its production facility.
Contrary to many wider fears of the undesirable effects of automation, Surrette’s actions will cause them to hire an additional 18 “highly-skilled workers”, taking their total roll-call to 100.
President and CEO James Surrette— whose company produces Rolls brand flooded and sealed AGM and gel VRLA products— said: “We have expanded our distribution network to include stocking warehouses in more than 20 countries and direct shipments to more than 35 countries.”
“Our expansion project will allow our facility to meet current demand while improving the efficiency of overall operations,” Surrette said.
These measures are being funded with the assistance of a “repayable contribution of CAD2.45 million (US$1.87m)” from the Canadian government, and a CAD1.2m Innovation Rebate from business development agency Nova Scotia Business.
Minister of Innovation Navdeep Bains commented: “To grow the Atlantic economy, more businesses must implement advanced manufacturing technologies. This is why the government of Canada is supporting companies like Surrette that are taking the necessary steps to increase productivity and competitiveness”.
The company did not say how the expansion would affect manufacturing capacity. However, it said was recently awarded a contract to supply up to 60,000 batteries per year for a minimum of five years to markets in Germany, Italy and France.
