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March 6, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)


EDGE status announced for Guign� Technologies Limited

During the official opening of Guign� Technologies Limited�s newest facility, Premier Brian Tobin announced that the company had received Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises (EDGE) status for its manufacturing activities.

"Guign� Technologies Ltd. is a dynamic, innovative company that is making significant headway in the global technology arena," said Premier Tobin. "The EDGE program is helping this company to diversify into commercialization, which will open up a whole new range of opportunities, and potential for international partnerships, as well as create jobs in the advanced technology sector."

Guign�, which also has facilities in Paradise, has a broad range of products and services in sectors such as space, defense, petroleum, and pharmaceuticals. The new facility on Kenmount Road will be used for the commercialization of acoustical products under the DRUMS� (Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix Sonar) and Smart Acoustics � trademarks.

The DRUMS� technology uses an acoustic positioning device that keeps the materials in place using invisible sound waves. The device provides containerless processing for advanced materials and fluid physics, and utilizes a leading edge system of dynamic acoustic beam positioning.

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, also participated in the opening of the new facility. "Guign� Technologies Ltd. is representative of the talented individuals which make up our technology industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. With the exceptional work that this company is doing with its DRUMS � technology, we are once again proving how our province is a leader in technology applications," noted Minister Kelly.

Guign� has also been working with NASA in its plans to develop commercial applications on the International Space Station (ISS). In September of 2001, Guign� will have the world�s first ever commercial payload on the ISS, which will launch an entirely new way of doing business by processing materials in space.

The Colorado School of Mines, through the NASA Commercial Center for Applications of Combustion in Space, has already signed a contract with Guign� for $1.9 million U.S. to produce ceramic pellets for processing using combustion synthesis on the ISS. These ceramics will have applications in areas such as bone replacement, filters and structural materials.

"For more than 10 years we have been conducting extensive research and development with a broad range of advanced technologies, particularly acoustics," said Dr. Jacques Guign�, president and chairman of the board of directors of the Guign� Group of Companies. "EDGE will be an important factor in enabling us take the technologies we�ve developed to a whole new level, and to expand into product commercialization."

The EDGE program is available to both new and expanding businesses. Companies meeting EDGE criteria are eligible for a 10-year tax break from provincial corporate income tax and provincial payroll tax, followed by a five year phase-in of these taxes, unserviced 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. In addition, many of the province�s municipalities participate in the EDGE program and offer similar tax holidays from property and/or business tax.

To be designated an EDGE corporation, an applicant must show potential for minimum capital investment of $300,000 or incremental sales of $500,000 annually, the potential to create and maintain at least 10 permanent jobs, and must provide a substantial net economic benefit to the province, among other requirements.

Media contact:

Jacqueline Simon, Director of Communications, Industry, Trade and Technology, (709) 729-0050
Ron Davidson, General Manager, Guign� Group of Companies, (709) 739-6880, ext. 234.

2000 03 06                                                         10:35 a.m.


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