The Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) is moving to a new 21,000 sq.ft. facility in the Tuxedo Business Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, which is four times the space compared to its current location in Smartpark at the University of Manitoba. A lease was recently signed with Terracon Development Ltd. with the relocation planned for December, 2011.
“This expansion ensures that the CIC will be able to continue to excel in its main focus of stimulating economic growth in Manitoba’s manufacturing sectors,” stated Kevin Lusk, CIC’s Chairman of the Board. “It also reconfirms the organization’s relevancy especially considering the very positive support that we have received from our major industry and government stakeholders”.
Since its inception in 2003, there have been significant achievements, some of which include:
- Active project involvement of over 100 industrial clients
- Development and transfer of more than 10 new technologies thus increasing the competitiveness and growth of Manitoba companies
- Coordination of $11 million plus in project funding from industry and government sources
- Establishment of several regional, national and international consortia in aerospace, biocomposites and green building material sectors to expedite technology advancement, commercialization and supply chain development
- Launch of two additional not for profit organizations whose operations are coordinated by the CIC
With details surrounding the new facility finalized, the CIC is actively seeking the right tenant to fill its vacant space in Smartpark.
Sean McKay
“Even though CIC is moving off the University of Manitoba’s campus, plans are in place to continue to strengthen its relationship with the academic community both locally and globally”, described Sean McKay, CIC’s Executive Director. “Particular emphasis has been placed on enabling researchers and students to co-locate within the facility and thus play a much more meaningful role in the Centre’s activities”.
Over the last eight years the CIC has grown to 22 staff members providing a client driven set of engineering, prototype development, testing, project management and business planning services for the composites manufacturing community. To enable this growth to occur, core funding support has been provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Province of Manitoba through the Canada-Manitoba Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
| Sean McKay Executive Director Composites Innovation Centre 300-78 Innovation Drive Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 6C2 (204) 262-3400 ext. 202 [email protected] | Ryan Paradis Marketing Analyst Composites Innovation Centre 300-78 Innovation Drive Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 6C2 (204) 262-3400 ext. 226 [email protected] |
