Maritime Paper Products’ Dartmouth, N.S., factory unveiled a new $18.8 million printing press that they say will not only will help modernize the company and improve their product, but also help them reach new markets.
It’s good timing given the significant trade turmoil and uncertainty swirling around the threat of tariffs on Canadian goods entering the United States.
“It’s about becoming modern, relevant, finding new markets, and being competitive near and far and supporting our local markets here is what it’s all about,” said Maritime Paper Products president and CEO Sheldon Gouthro.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston tabled a bill Tuesday aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers to stimulate and strengthen the Canadian economy amid growing U.S. tariffs concerns.
Houston’s bill is welcome news for manufacturers who, amid the threat of tariffs, are looking beyond the U.S. for greater export opportunities.
“We have to be thinking a little bit more east and west (trade) and anything we can do to promote that will be a positive for Canada,” said Randy MacMillan, president and CEO of Scotia Investments Limited, the parent company of Maritime Paper Products.
Maritime Paper operates four manufacturing facilities across Atlantic Canada and employs nearly 200 people at its Dartmouth facility.
The company has been in operation since 1931 and while they understand the present tariff threat, they have plans to deal with it. They are also looking beyond the Trump administration and trade policies of the day.
The new printing press represents the largest capital investment in the company’s history.
“We have a playbook built for the ‘what if scenarios’ and we are planning like everyone else to help us get through this,” said Gouthro.
Part of the $18.8 million investment included a $3.7 million provincial grant through Invest Nova Scotia and a $3 million repayable loan from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
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