The Government of Canada has invested $500,000 in Jiffy Products for the expansion of its facility and purchase of equipment through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Business Development Program.

“The Government of Canada is committed to a stronger, sustainable and innovative industrial and manufacturing base in Atlantic Canada that creates long-term opportunity by capitalizing on existing strengths in communities such as Shippagan,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA). “Our investment of $500,000 will help Jiffy Products expand its operations, allowing the company to diversify its production and create new business opportunities, thus further diversifying the economy of the region. In addition, there will be approximately 92 new jobs created by this expansion in the Acadian Peninsula.”

“We are grateful to both federal and provincial governments to help us achieve our ambitious plans. With this new expansion, we’re increasing capacity, improving turnaround times, and enhancing the quality of our product”, says Zoël Gautreau, Executive Vice President of Jiffy Products.

Established in Shippagan since 1976, Jiffy Products is a Norwegian company that produces pots, pellets, plastic trays, and a wide variety of retail products for the horticultural industry. The company employs over 300 people in its Shippagan facility. The project involves an 11,200 square foot expansion to the current 120,000 square foot plant in order to increase its production capacity and quality and meet the market demand. The company will also purchase two new peat pot machines and one additional shrink-wrap machine as the shrink-wrap pot production line currently operates at capacity. Jiffy NB exports 80% of its production.

The Government of Canada, through ACOA and its Business Development program, is committed to investing in projects that help companies to grow, increase their competitiveness and create jobs in areas hard-hit by the current economic downturn.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Minister of State for ACOA, Keith Ashfield, today announced an investment of $500,000 in Jiffy Products in Shippagan for the expansion of its facility and purchase of equipment. The project will help the company increase its production capacity, meet the market demand and create 92 new jobs in the Acadian Peninsula.

Established in Shippagan since 1976, Jiffy Products is a Norwegian company that manufactures pots, pellets, plastic trays, and a wide variety of retail products for the horticultural industry. The company currently employs more than 300 people.

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INFORMATION:

Erin Filliter 	
Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241

Stéphanie Bilodeau 
Senior Communications Officer 
ACOA NB	
506-452-3034

Zoël Gautreau
President
Jiffy Products (NB) Ltd.
506-336-2284