The value of manufacturing shipments is expected to reach $2.35
billion in 2003, up 5.0% from the previous year. A significant
increase in fabricated metal products and a higher value for
refined petroleum are the main drivers behind the rise in
shipments. Since most of the province's manufactured goods are
exported to the US and abroad, the recent appreciation of the
Canadian dollar negatively impacted shipment values. Despite
increases in the volume of newsprint production and fish
landings, newsprint value is expected to be flat in 2003 while
the value of fish products is expected to decline.
|
| Manufacturing Shipments
|
|
 |
| Statistics Canada; Department of Finance |
|
|
A lot of machinery and equipment is imported from
the United States. Low interest rates and a higher dollar
provide a strong incentive for capital investment in the
manufacturing sector. Manufacturing investment is expected to
reach $135 million in 2003, the sixth consecutive year that
industry investment has exceeded the $130 million threshold.
After hitting a trough of 11,700 in 1995, industry employment
has been trending upward in recent years. From 1993 to 1997,
manufacturing employment averaged 13,900 then rose to average
16,700 for the next five years. During the first ten months of
this year, however, industry employment was down to 15,800 on
a monthly average basis. This year's decline was linked to
lower cod landings and a shift in product mix at crab
facilities. |
|
|
Manufacturing
Profiles
|
Abbyshot Custom
Clothiers Limited was established in July 2002 and
employs 12 people in the manufacturing of clothing
inspired by the motion picture industry. From its
facility in Mount Pearl, Abbyshot has supplied custom
fitted garments to more than 20 countries including the
UK, Japan, Israel, Poland, and Slovenia. This Christmas,
the company is partnering with Kevin Smith and View
Askew Productions to offer a replica of Silent Bob's
(the popular film character) coat. Abbyshot also
recently secured a contract with Warner Brothers to
produce several jackets for the promotion of the film
The Matrix Revolutions. One of Abbyshot's jackets is
currently on display in the world famous Hollywood Wax
Museum, sported by a likeness of actor Keanu Reeves.
Restwell Mattresses, which began operations in 1991 in
Harbour Grace, originally started by manufacturing
various types of box springs and mattresses for homes,
hospitals, hotels, trailers and recreational vehicles.
In 1998, the company expanded its product line to
include chesterfield sets, sofa beds, love seats and
wing chairs. The company opened a retail store in
Carbonear in 2000. Restwell also manufactures custom
mattresses that are used offshore on the Hibernia and
Terra Nova oil facilities. Currently, the company
employs 8 people.
Superior Glove Works Ltd. is involved in the
manufacturing of work gloves and protective clothing.
The company currently has plants in Point Leamington as
well as in Acton, Ontario. The Point Leamington plant
was established in 1988 and employs about 30 people in
the manufacturing of approximately 300 styles of gloves.
The company currently produces about 16 million pairs of
gloves per year—10 million of which are made in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Superior sells its products
primarily in Canada and the US.
|
|
