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ST JOHN'S, NL, March 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Research & Development
Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) is investing $10,300
towards a research project in western Newfoundland that will enhance
the design and manufacturing process of snowboards. In partnership with
College of the North Atlantic (CNA), RDC is supporting Magine
Snowboards in Port au Port to develop a more durable snowboard product
by replacing glass-based fibre with environmentally-friendly composite
materials.
"Today's announcement demonstrates how our province's entrepreneurs
continue to use R&D as a way to reach national and global markets,"
said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the
Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Our
government is excited to support Magine Snowboards, as they exemplify
how small- and medium-sized businesses in rural Newfoundland and
Labrador continue to be a key driver of economic performance and
growth."
Magine Snowboards is collaborating with CNA's Manufacturing Technology
Centre and Civil Engineering Technology Lab in St. John's to research
and test the stability, manoeuvrability and design of a series of
snowboard prototypes prior to manufacturing.
"By facilitating collaboration among our business and academic
communities, vibrant young companies such as Magine Snowboards can tap
into the extensive engineering knowledge at CNA to assist in the
development of this innovative product," said Glenn Janes, CEO, RDC.
"This project is a great example of how Newfoundland and Labrador
continues to build its reputation as a place where our small business
community can leverage the resources of our academic institutions to
produce leading-edge R&D."
Magine Snowboards has operated in Western Newfoundland and Labrador
since December 2010. The company produces custom-built snowboards and
currently has distribution channels in St. John's and Corner Brook, as
well as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta.
"In a market that is valued at approximately $180 million in Canada, we
know our product has to differentiate itself from our competitors,"
said Stephen Wheeler, General Manager, Magine Snowboards. "Working in
partnership with RDC and College of the North Atlantic to test new
snowboard designs and manufacturing processes, we are confident we can
develop a number of products that can meet the high expectations of
quality and durability that our current customers demand, and our
potential customers want."
RDC's funding is provided through its R&D Vouchers program, which is
designed to improve business-led R&D in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"The owners at Magine Snowboards care about what they make, and how they
make it," said Ann Marie Vaughan, CNA's President and CEO. "That's why
the researchers within the college's Office of Applied Research will
help to improve manufacturability, reduce related production cost,
minimize lead-time to market, and achieve a performance level
comparable to traditional fibreglass snowboards. The college has been
involved in numerous private and industry applied research initiatives,
and we are extremely proud of the accomplishments of both our
researchers and partners to date."
The Research & Development Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation
responsible for improving Newfoundland and Labrador's R&D performance.
RDC works with R&D stakeholders including business, academia and
government agencies and departments. For more information about RDC, go
to www.rdc.org.
SOURCE Research & Development Corporation
Image with caption: "Magine Snowboards, which is based in Port au Port, NL, is receiving funding from RDC to develop a more durable snowboard product by replacing glass-based fiber with environmentally-friendly composite materials. (CNW Group/Research & Development Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130304_C2004_PHOTO_EN_24232.jpg
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