December 12, 1997
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Marine, Industrial and Aviation Inc. receives EDGE status

Judy Foote, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, announced today that Marine, Industrial and Aviation Inc. has qualified for incentives under the province's Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises (EDGE) legislation.

Marine, Industrial and Aviation Inc. (MIA) is a new company hoping to benefit from the growth associated with the health care sector. The company received EDGE status for their plans to manufacture asthma ventilation systems. MIA has acquired the Canadian manufacturing and marketing rights for the INDUX line of single-room asthma ventilation systems from Advanced Design Manufacturing Ltd. (ADM) of England. The product eliminates dust mites from rooms and homes, and has long term potential of eliminating the occurance of asthma, as well as providing immediate relief to asthma sufferers.

ADM will supply MIA with units built to North American standards. Final assembly, testing and packaging will be completed at MIA's facility in St. John's.

Five per cent of the Canadian population suffers from asthma and it is growing at five to 10 per cent a year. Allan MacKinnon, President and CEO of Marine, Industrial and Aviation, said that the market for the product has tremendous potential. He said: "We expect to target more than strictly asthma sufferers with this product. We see this product being used as a preventive measure as well for dust-mite allergy sufferers and home owners concerned with air quality and humidity problems."

Ms. Foote said that the EDGE program continues to do what it is designed to do - help innovative companies like Marine, Industrial and Aviation get established and grow. She said: "This is a small, dynamic company that wants to manufacture an innovative product right here in the province that is destined for world markets. It is encouraging to see a small company like MIA taking the initiative to explore an opportunity in the growing health care sector and, at the same time, meet a demonstrated need by offering a product that can provide relief to a common breathing problem suffered by millions of Canadians."

Minister Foote also took the opportunity to provide a brief update on the status of the EDGE program. To date, there are 64 companies in various stages of operation that have been granted EDGE status. These companies represent a potential investment in excess of $200 million in the provincial economy.

Companies with EDGE status are eligible for tax holidays, crown land for a nominal fee and access to a facilitator who will help obtain the required permits and licences associated with start up or expansion.

Contact: John Doody, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0050or Elaine Woolridge, Office Manager at MIA, at (709) 754-5230.