omniture

A Strategic Base for Global Manufacturers in the Heart of North America

Municipality of Chatham-Kent
2014-09-26 23:30 2238

CHATHAM-KENT, Ontario, Sept. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian and European manufacturers can soon go direct to North American production and distribution through a first-of-its-kind, strategic base in the heart of the North American market. The new Global Development Centre (GDC) in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, will provide space and a full array of support services to up to 100 small and mid-sized companies as they set up their manufacturing. It is estimated that the project will attract up to $100 million (Canadian) in investment and create up to 500 jobs at full capacity. Design and construction of the centre are scheduled for completion in spring 2016.

Asian and European manufacturers can soon go direct to North American production and distribution through a first-of-its-kind, strategic base in the heart of the North American market.
Asian and European manufacturers can soon go direct to North American production and distribution through a first-of-its-kind, strategic base in the heart of the North American market.

Brightenview Development International Inc. and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced the creation of the GDC in a news conference this morning (Friday September 26) at the GDC site in the Blenheim Industrial Park. Based in Saskatoon, Brightenview is a leading developer of international business projects. The company is investing in, developing and will be operating the Global Development Centre. The cost of development and construction is estimated at $45 million (Canadian).

The company's CEO and Executive Director, Joe Zhou, said, "Brightenview was attracted to CK by the proactive leadership of the municipality's Mayor Randy Hope, Councillor Art Stirling and the Economic Development Services team. I also want to acknowledge the support of all Chatham-Kent Council members in securing this project for the community. In addition to the welcoming community and pro-business environment, access to the U.S., the readiness of the business park, a highly skilled labor force, and the community's quality of life have made this location desirable. We are also very pleased with the encouragement and support from the Government of Ontario to the GDC project initiative. Chatham-Kent is located on a strategic hot spot, in terms of logistics, on the country's Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative."

Brightenview plans to build up to 400,000 square feet of workshop, 250,000 square feet of warehouse distribution, and 30,000 square feet of service office space. The Global Development Centre will allow international manufacturers to do what they do best - manufacture - while the centre provides the needed Canadian support services such as strategic development, administration, logistics, financial services, legal services, labour law support, marketing communications, and after-sale services.

"Brightenview's advanced business model offers an integrated professional service platform so that global manufacturers can establish turnkey business operations. This model mitigates the risk of starting up a business in North America and successfully accessing the market," said Zhou. "We work with new business arrivals to overcome the barriers of entering an unfamiliar market. The manufacturers can focus on what they do best and have a real fighting chance."

"The GDC project has been a real collaboration between the municipality and Brightenview," said Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope. "Members of Council and economic development staff members were ready for this opportunity. We had all the information at our fingertips, and were able to demonstrate to Brightenview all the advantages of locating in Chatham-Kent. We are very pleased by this large step forward for our community, and we will work continually with the new Global Development Centre. Not only will the incoming international companies provide jobs, but they will also bring capital, entrepreneurship and management expertise that we can expect will lead to other developments. We invite newcomers to call Chatham-Kent home and work to prosper together."

For more information please go to www.chatham-kent.ca.

Contacts:

Lorne Nystrom, VP of Government and Public Relations, Brightenview Development International Inc.
Telephone +1.306-949-2505
E-mail: lorne.nystrom@brightenview.com
Web: www.brightenview.com

Michael F. Burton, Director, Economic Development Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Telephone: +1.519.351.7700 extension 2032 or Cell: +1.519.350.1673
E-mail: michaelbu@chatham-kent.ca
Web: www.chatham-kent.ca

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140926/8521405593


Source: Municipality of Chatham-Kent
collection