P.E.I. bioscience company unveils $1.2M expansion in Charlottetown

While bioscience staff worked overan assembly line of equipment for the medical field, a group of dignitaries and politicians cut a giant red ribbon behind them on Friday unveiling the latest expansion for SekisuiDiagnostics in Charlottetown.

The company makes in vitro tests kits, among other diagnostic tools.

"It allows us to produce not only more product but higher-quality product," said Brian Stewart, site director forSekisuiDiagnostics in P.E.I.

The5,000 square-footexpansion cost $1.2 million,including an enclosed work area called a "clean room" for specialized, high-quality products that are now made by the company in Japan.

"By making it here, we've improved our supply chain, reduced environmental impacts and increased job prospects for P.E.I.," Stewart said.

Stewart said the work could add15 workers to the current 124.

'We will see it back many times over'

The P.E.I. government gave the company$400,000for this expansion, on top of $3.5 million dollars in 2017.

The province owns the property and plans to recoverthatmoney through the company'slease payments.

The government also provided an additional non-repayable grant of $200,000to assist with the fit-up of the newspace.

"It creates employment, itenhances our provinces ability to take part in a very competitivearea in terms of the global economyand it produces prosperity," said Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

"In terms the investment that we made here today, we will see it back many times over."

More than Anne of Green Gables

The Japan-based company has locations around the world.Charlottetown is itsonly Canadian location.

"If you ask questions to the Japanese 'What do you think about P.E.I.?'it is all about Anne of Green Gables," saidKimihiroIshikane, Japan's ambassador to Canada.

"That is something extremelyimportant for tourist attractions, but the point is, in this Island, there exists a lot of potentialitiesfor both businesspeople to interact and come up with new projects that could go worldwide."

The premier also saidother meetings are taking place with the Japanese ambassadorto continue positive relationships.

"Japan is currently our seventh-largest trading partner for Prince Edward Island and we would be happy to see that grow."

Sekisuiin Charlottetownhas completed two major expansions in as many years.

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