Trout River Industries to expand in West Prince
Ever since Trout River Industries patented its unique live-bottom trailer design in 1999, founder Harvey Stewart has worked to build on his company’s success.
Trout River Industries is now Canada’s leading manufacturer of live-bottom trailers for the heavy construction industry. Today the company and the province announced that Trout River will lease space in a provincially owned building in Bloomfield that will allow it to expand its trailer sales into the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
“This expansion will see our company manufacture parts for Trout River and its partners at the Bloomfield location while increasing production in Coleman,” Stewart said. “We expect the expansion will add approximately 20 jobs with the possibility of more in the near future.”
The province will assist with the expansion by providing labour rebates for up to 30 incremental positions, and will provide rental assistance for the new space.
“The province is proud to support Trout River’s expansion that will help increase the province’s exports, our economy, and will create more jobs for rural Islanders,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald said. “This innovative company is an excellent example of how Islanders can take an idea that starts out small and turn it into a big success through ambition and hard work. It’s an exciting day for West Prince, for the Island’s manufacturing sector, and for the economy as a whole.”
Trout River recently partnered with the Maxim Group from Winnipeg, which gives Trout River increased access to the Western Canadian and U.S. markets through Maxim’s dealer networks. Today’s expansion demonstrates Maxim’s ongoing commitment to Prince Edward Island operations.
A key indicator of a vibrant economy is the level of manufacturing sales. Prince Edward Island’s year-to-date manufacturing sales grew 5.3 per cent in October and led all other provinces, far outpacing the national average of 0.4 per cent. The Island’s total manufacturing sales for 2016 increased by more than $70 million through October.
Media contact:
Andrew Sprague
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)