News release

Province Supports Small Businesses

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism (Jan. 2011 - April 2015)

A new, free tool is helping small businesses become more productive so they can make more money and hire more people.

The Nova Scotia Productivity Pilot helps small business owners identify ways to improve, grow and increase profitability. It is one of several new efforts the province has introduced to support small businesses.

"Small businesses are an important part of Nova Scotia's economy and we're committed to helping them grow and succeed," said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele. "It's important to help Nova Scotia businesses like Copol International Ltd. stay competitive, and supporting them to become even more successful is exactly what the jobsHere plan is designed to do."

North Sydney's Copol manufactures polypropylene plastic film for packaging food, industrial and medical products. It is the only manufacturer of its kind in Canada and employs 50 people. It is one of several Nova Scotia businesses taking advantage of the free tool.

Business owners start with an online self-assessment tool, and then meet with a trained productivity advisor to identify opportunities to increase competitiveness, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. The advisor also connects the company with resources, programs and services to help make improvements.

"Copol is an innovative company that's always working to improve our operation and our product," said Denis Lanoe, vice-president, Operations and general manager. "The province's various programs and services, like the productivity improvement program and the new productivity assessment tool, are helping local small businesses like ours stay competitive and successful."

The province recently invested $1,049,932 in Copol. The money from the productivity investment program helped Copol purchase new equipment that allows for greater efficiency, increased output, and better product quality and consistency. This will pave the way for higher profits and more jobs.

Copol also used $20,000 from the program's workplace innovation productivity skills incentive to train employees to use the new equipment.

The productivity investment program encourages Nova Scotia businesses to become more productive, innovative and globally competitive. Since its launch in 2010, the program has helped nearly 400 companies, most of which are small businesses like Copol.

The province is helping small businesses find the support they need more quickly and easily with a new toll-free number (1-855-324-4668), through business.novascotia.ca, and by bundling programs and services into five clear entry points.


BROADCAST COPY:

A new, free tool is helping small businesses become more

productive so they can make more money and hire more people.

The Nova Scotia Productivity Pilot helps business

Owners examine their operation and identify areas for

improvement and growth. It is one of several new initiatives

Nova Scotia has introduced to better support small businesses.

North Sydney's Copol International Ltd. is one of several

Nova Scotia businesses taking advantage of the free tool. Copol

manufactures polypropylene plastic film for packaging food and

industrial products. It is the only manufacturer of its kind in

Canada and employs 50 Nova Scotians. It recently received an

investment from the province of more than one-million dollars.

Since its launch in 2010, the productivity investment

program has helped nearly 400 Nova Scotia businesses.