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Business Excellence
Regional Economic Development Authority
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The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) is very proud of the community it serves. SREDA’s three main goals are to retain and expand local business in targeted sectors, to attract new investment in focus areas, and to ensure the Saskatoon Region is the place to live, work, invest and prosper. We are “Celebrating Growth” through past successes and the new opportunities that now lay ahead.
SREDA Works to Attract Venture Capital Innovation can occur within any industry, business, or city across any aspect of the organization. When innovation is encouraged and supported it can be the catalyst for change, growth, and greater success. Tim LeClair, CEO, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) says there are many companies in the Saskatoon Region innovating through discovery and transformation of ideas into commercial success or widespread use. “In fact, we have highlighted four outstanding companies with innovation at work within this business excellence feature,” adds LeClair. SREDA is placing priority on two main knowledge-based industries - Life Sciences and Information Communications Technology (ICT) in order to accelerate the pace of innovation, attract investment, stimulate job creation, and generate wealth. “Our focus in these sectors is cluster development.” A 2010 Conference Board of Canada Report states that firms belonging to a cluster yield greater economic results notes LeClair. This occurs because of strategically established network agencies, joint research, procurement policies, marketing, and demand-led skills and training programs within a cluster. LeClair explains that the Saskatoon Region has all the elements to form clusters, particularly within these two sectors – proximity, interrelationships between firms, knowledge flows, and a growing innovation agenda.
cause of the collaboration, we are beginning to see stronger efforts and strategies develop to address this reality. “Saskatchewan will experience an investment boom for next 10-15 years,” says LeClair. “It is vital that we take advantage of that now, particularly for these two industries.” LeClair points out that Saskatoon has over $2 billion in research and development infrastructure that is available. In one testimonial, a company from Chicago who utilizes the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron (CLS) described it as their secret weapon because of the ease of access and great relationship with the CLS Management.” The Saskatoon Region is experiencing a lot of walk-up business traffic, which is very positive and does keep everyone busy. However, what we need is a strategically sustainable external effort from the cluster to achieve our greatest economic potential. Successful models that SREDA has looked into include the Life Sciences cluster in California and the Digital Media Zone in Ontario. LeClair says that SREDA is looking Tim LeClair, Chief Executive Officer of SREDA into an innovation mission to California with SREDA often hears that Saskatchewan does companies who are interested in advancing a “However, currently there is a capital and cluster here. not have an abundance of Venture Capital. operating gap in these industries,” LeClair SREDA is also working on Angel Tax LeClair emphasizes that while we agree more says. “Our goal is to help close it.” Credits and Flow Through Shares as a way to “Our competitive advantage is closer col- is needed, we all have to recognize that we encourage venture capital. need a stronger pipeline of companies for laboration and we are working closely with Visit www.sreda.com for more informaVenture Capital to be attracted to our market several key companies on some strategic – such as clusters. Not an easy task, but, be- tion. economic development initiatives.”
Leverage the power of our people and our expertise in Process Development, Analytical Services and Toll Processing. With unparalleled quality assurance, commitment to regulatory compliance and certification to international standards, we’ll help you seize opportunities to grow your business and your bottom line.
POS BIO-SCIENCES 118 Veterinary Road Saskatoon SK Canada S7N 2R4
TOLL FREE
+ 1-800-230-2751
FAX
+ 1-306-975-3766
pos@pos.ca
WEB
www.pos.ca
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Regional Economic Development Authority
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POS Bio Science offers unique services to clients Saskatoon is home to POS Bio Science, a lab that specializes in helping industry better extract and purify ingredients from plant materials. Or, as Dr. Rick Green, POS’s Vice-President of technology explains, POS assures the “total utilization” of a plant product. He uses algae as an example. Although algae can be used as a bio-fuel, it is a very costly procedure to extract the fuel. POS “develops co-products” from the algae. “We extract other elements of higher value to offset the cost of the bio-fuel.” Other products POS works with include dietary supplements, botanical extracts, fish oils and concentrated Omega-3’s. Green explains that POS focuses their work around a health and wellness theme, and that they have “turned down jobs we thought didn’t follow this idea.” While there are other extraction labs throughout the world, POS is unique on a number of levels. Perhaps most important, according to Green, is the scale on which POS is able to do extractions. “Other labs can do a bench scale of about 2 kilograms,” Green explains. “We can do that, as well as a mini pilot of 20 kilograms and a pilot scale of 200 kilograms or more.” POS’s president and CEO, Dale Kelly, adds that POS also has a unique financial model available for clients, one which helps them determine the costs it would
take to scale a product up to a commercial level. Furthermore, POS has a number of unique supporting elements, including its own shipping and receiving department, a quality assurance division and 11 labs to analyze products. It also has a new engineering group which, according to Kelly, “grew organically out of POS as clients needed to know about resources and using them effectively.” In simple terms, POS is a one-stop-shop for clients looking for extraction and purification processes. Kelly says that Dr. Green’s knowledge of and connection to relevant University of Saskatchewan assets is a further benefit for POS, while Green notes that POS hires a good number of post-graduate doctoral students. Similarly, he calls SREDA a “connect-the-dots” organization that POS utilizes. “We don’t know what we don’t know,” he says. “SREDA makes introductions when we need them.” The strength of POS’s global reputation shows in that they have worked on over 5,000 projects in over 40 countries over the past 35 years. Their success also is evident in the success of their clients. Kelly estimates that “when a client spends a dollar with us, they make $65.00 in return.” He goes further to say that POS clients have, in the past few years, “created over 5,000 new jobs and contributed more than $500 mil-
POS Bio Science’s extraction lab. lion to the global economy.” Kelly feels equally as positive about POS’s future. He notes how the Canadian government has put a focus lately on how the importance of creating wealth out of academics will be necessary for Canada’s economy in the years to come. “We’ve been doing that,” he says. “We are the walking, talking model organization of what industry and the country has been looking for.”
Norseman Structures building and delivering quality solutions Norseman Incorporated, started with the purchase in 1961 of the then 40 year old Norwthwest Tent and Awning, manufactures its products all over western Canada. It now oversees three divisions, including the selftitled Norseman Inc., which produces fabric goods such as tarpaulins, environmental containment products and welding accessories. In June, 2010,Norseman Group bought and expanded on the assets of the Cover-All business, creating Norseman Structures Incorporated, which employs over 165 local people for steel and fabric manufacturing in over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space in the city. Camper’s Village is the retail division of the business, and sells family-focussed camping supplies. According to Ron Bryant, CEO of the Norseman Group, Norseman Structures “operates on a level no one else in the industrialized fabric industry does in terms of product selection and breadth and depth of knowledge, and services offered.” Design is another area where Norseman is unique, Bryant says, with their fabric buildings having “metalclad sides and ends. We’re doing more than just conventional I-Beam columns. Our product is evolving.” He points, too, to the translucency of the fabric used
sectors. “Our structures are designed to be permanent, to be identical in standards to pre-engineered steel structures, but they’re portable.” These high engineering standards help to set Norseman Structures Inc apart from other companies in their industry, and it was one of the first in its industry to attain CSA A660-10 standards, a stringent industry standard based on quality building design. The strength and portability of the structure, as well as the knowledge and experience of the Norseman team, mean that the company has sold and built their products as far away as Israel, Chile, Australia and the United Kingdom; whereas most fabric covered building companies are “regional players”. Norseman ships all of the products as well as sending an entire installation crew when needed, or technical supervisors when there are enough skilled workers in the local
nity and to be thought of as good corporate citizens.” Bryant is proud of Norseman Group’s reputation as a manufacturer, but is equally as proud of the company’s reputation as a good employer, pointing out proudly that over 3/4 of the company’s employees have been with the Norseman group for ten years or more,
with a number of employees having been with the business for over 30 years. Good staff retention, he says, makes for good work practices and helps to maintain the feel of a family business. “We have the best features of a family business, but our Board of Directors also makes sure we are disciplined and well-governed.”
College of Engineering Celebrating
100 Years
Tradition ■ Innovation ■ Celebration
Engineers are innovators and problem solvers using materials and natural science to meet today’s needs. With the work of engineers, the world has advanced and we have conveniences that at one time only seemed possible in the wild imagination of a science fiction writer . . . or an engineer. While we reflect on the advances of the last century, we look to the future with excitement and wonder what will come next. The achievements of the College of Engineering alumni, students, faculty and staff are the innovations of the past, the present mission and the future advancements.
on their structures as another strong selling feature, adding that the increased amount of light their fabric allows in makes for a more pleasant working environment and lower utility costs. The time it takes to erect and dismantle a fabric structure is also a benefit, especially, says Bryant, in the mobile oil and mineral
workforce. Their local reputation is as strong, and growing stronger as SREDA encourages businesses entering the city to consider buying Norseman structures for their needs. Bryant says that having a good working relationship with SREDA and similar groups is important because “it’s always been important for us at Norseman to be part of the commu-
100 YEARS
ENGINEERING
College of Engineering www.engr.usask.ca/100 years
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U of S Industry Liaison Office commercializing technology The University of Saskatchewan Industry Liaison Office (ILO) is dedicated to recognizing the potential and aggressively commercializing technology coming out of the University’s research labs. Many local entrepreneurs have benefitted from the ILO’s guidance, including Rachel Buhler and Chris Buhler, the sister/brother team behind Osler’s Floating Gardens, a greenhouse that produces fresh produce year round. A few years back, Rachel, who has a background in plant sciences and Chris, who holds a diploma in Greenhouse Management, decided to move back to their one hundred year old, third generation family farm. They came up with the idea for a year round greenhouse as a way in which they could keep the farm going and keep it in the family. The siblings started writing their business plan, and entered it in a Bio-Venture Challenge hosted by the ILO. The Buhler’s plan was picked as the winner, and they were awarded $50,000 and, just as importantly, mentorship from experts associated with the ILO. “They were fantastic,” Rachel explains, “they helped us with our business plan, and gave us access to lawyers and advice on how to approach banks.” A year later, the fruits of these efforts are showing with the completion of Floating Gardens’ first full growing year. The greenhouse currently grows tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, eggplants, herbs, edible flowers and strawberries. They sell their produce at the Saskatoon and Warman Farmer’s Markets. Their produce is also available at the Steephill Co-op in Saskatoon. Aside from the idea of year round fresh produce being grown in Saskatchewan, Floating Gardens also has a unique way of growing their food that keeps with their commitment to be environmentally responsible. They do not use pesticides, and their buildings are heated with bio-mass boilers which burn waste wood which otherwise would end up at the landfill. As well, the plants are grown in biodegradable coconut coir, an environmentally friendly alternative to
Residence (EiR) program. The EiR is a local, successful entrepreneur who volunteers to mentor entrepreneurial researchers at the U of S. , This year’s EiR is Michael Chubb, who comes to the position in support of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Chubb is the General Manager of the Saskatoon Colostrum Company (SCCL), which itself is a perfect example of the ILO’s mandate to commercialize academic knowledge. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Deborah Haines and Brian Chelak after research they did at the WCVM pointed towards a commercial opportunity. SCCL takes colostrum from dairy cows and creates pathogen free colostrum supplements for cows, lambs, goats, house pets and even humans. SCCL is strictly regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. SCCL’s products have numerous practical applications for today’s beef and dairy farms. According to Chubb, a colostrum supplement Michael Chubb, ILO Entrepeneur-in-Resiensures that any abandoned calf is “as happy dence and General Manager of Saskatoon as it can be” as it is given the immunity that Colostrum Company. comes from mother’s first milk, as well as bepeat moss. Floating Gardens also uses insect ing given an energy boost from the fat found screens on the roof to keep the bees they use in the product. Perhaps even more importantly, colostrum supplements given on dairy to pollinate their flowers in and unwanted farms help farmers to “predict performance insects out. if they apply only colostrum [to the calf in Although things are going well, and with “super-encouraging customer feedback,” ac- place of suckling]. It ensures the right amount cording to Chris, the first year has also been a of immune factors are given, while at the steep learning curve. With production levels same time ensuring bio-security by eliminating disease transfer such as tuberculosis and still not at the desired level, he says they’ve had to decide to produce food “that tastes better at the sacrifice of production numbers”. He adds that they are still trying new production methods. “We’re changing things up in order to increase the amounts we can grow.” Ultimately, they would like to have a store on site at the greenhouse. Still, both siblings agree that the work and efforts are worth it if it “makes the farm live past 100 years old,” Rachel says. She adds that, in general for Saskatchewan, “one way to keep family farms going is to think up inSaskatoon Colostrum produces a wide range novative ideas, and catch people’s interest.” of pathogen free colostrum supplements. The ILO also has an Entrepreneur-In-
Chris Buhler from Floating Gardens clipping melon vines. Johne’s Disease, a mass wasting sickness, that can come with suckling.” Chubb believes, the area of human application for colostrum is “amazingly underutilized.” He points to the the Australian Olympic team and many other elite athletes such as triathletes and cyclists using colostrum for its ability to grow lean muscle tissue and to enhance the stomach’s ability to handle high levels of heat and stress. Nick Meiring, Marketing and Regulatory Assistant for SCCL, also points out that colostrum has potential for supporting immune systems in humans He adds that one of the triathletes the company sponsors takes SCCL colostrum on a daily basis “to help recover from workouts and avoid seasonal colds and flus.” Both men hope to see research and patents developed for human applications in the future. The Saskatoon Colostrum Company exports its products worldwide. The University of Saskatchewan Industry Liaison Office’s Managing Director, Glen Schuler, believes in industry and university engagement. The two companies above and the Entrepreneur in Residence program are great examples of successful partnerships. Glen Schuler sits on the SREDA Board to support the Saskatoon region’s economic development activities and to ensure that the University is actively engaged in the City’s innovation agenda.
Saskatchewan Research Council provides smart science solutions The Saskatchewan Research Council, formed in 1947, is a treasury board crown corporation with the mandate of “helping companies solve problems in the development of products and services,” according to Craig Murray, Craig Murray, Vice-President, Vice-President of Mining Mining & Minerals, and Minerals. Saskatchewan Research Council (Photo courtesy SRC) Along with mining and minerals, SRC focuses on innovation in agriculture, biotechnology, energy, and the environment, and in helping clients to increase productivity in these areas.
While there are a number of businesses out there that carry out similar tasks, Murray says that what sets SRC apart is the “breadth and depth” of the knowledge, resources and experience it has to offer. For instance, in his area of mining and minerals, SRC has access to a geoanalytical lab, a minerals business unit and a microanalysis centre. SRC also has the Pipeflow Technology Centre™ for testing and researching different methods of moving products via pipes in the oil sands and mining sectors, and helps to develop equipment for the most efficient extraction of resources. Murray explains how “SRC tries to work with other businesses to come up with successful solutions.” He says that as SREDA has a similar focus on economic development, it is one of the places SRC contacts when looking to form these successful collaborations. “They steer people in our direction.” With the economic boom in the province these days, Murray says that he feels SRC is “coming into our own in terms of what we do,” noting that the pace of work has increased especially in the mining, oil, gas and ag-biotech industries. SRC measures its impact
by the fact that in 2010-2011, it had 1,900 fee for service clients. Many of the final products of SRC projects will have direct impacts on the lives of Saskatoon residents. As an example, Murray points to the work that SRC is currently doing with Communities of Tomorrow. Aging infrastructure of pipes in municipalities all over the province has been pinpointed as a problem area in years to come, and the pipes will need replacing. Murray explains that SRC is working to develop a new device that will automate this process. “We’re working on developing a robotic pipe fitting system that will pull out the old pipe and put in the new pipe in one motion.” A prototype robotic system has been developed, and Murray hopes that the final product will be ready within two years. Murray says that SRC is “always looking for new opportunities in key sectors,” and that it is always looking to keep its processes up to date. As such, SRC is currently preparing to launch some new tools and services in the mining and minerals sector later this year. “SRC is a hidden resource in the province,” Murray adds. An instrument sub used for Cavity surveys.
ILO congratulates SREDA on its achievements in economic development activities for the Saskatoon region University and Industry partnering through; licensing technology, collaborating on research, starting companies and connecting to expertise