News Release

EDMUNDSTON (CNB) – The federal and provincial governments announced today a combined investment of $231,000 in the Enseignes Pattison Sign Group plant in Edmundston.
 
"Our investment in Enseignes Pattison Sign Group will ensure the success of this important company for Edmundston and the surrounding areas," said Health Minister Madeleine Dubé. "Investing in all the regions of northern New Brunswick, including the Madawaska region, is important for our government and our businesses."

Dubé was speaking on behalf of Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud.

"Our investment in Enseignes Pattison Sign Group will enable the company to modernize its operations, improve its productivity and reinforce its competitiveness," said Bernard Valcourt, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. "Our government's top priority is the economy and job creation while we are going through these difficult economic times, and we are getting there thanks to investments such as this one."

The federal government, through ACOA, will contribute $165,000 under the Business Development Program. The provincial government will contribute $66,000 through the Northern New Brunswick Economic Development and Innovation Fund. The company will invest $119,000.

"Given the challenges faced by Canadian manufacturing industries in the current economic climate, it is crucial to innovate operationally and keep ourselves on the cutting edge of technology,” said Don Belanger, company president. “This investment will allow Enseignes Pattison Sign Group to maintain its competitive strength in the North American market. This project will allow us to improve our productivity in Edmundston. Thanks to excellent partners such as ACOA and the Province of New Brunswick, we can again continue to strengthen our foundation and retain key jobs right here in northwestern New Brunswick."

The project involves acquiring new cutting-edge technology equipment to make the company become more productive with certain sign manufacturing components. The project also includes improvements to the Edmundston plant.

The plant is part of Jim Pattison Industries Ltd., a business network active in various industries nationwide and abroad. Founded in 1963, Enseignes Imperial Signs ltée / Ltd. specialized in the sign industry and had developed a diverse range of visual communication products. In September 1998, the company was bought by Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. This merger enabled company to join a group that held the largest share of the Canadian market of the sign industry.