Northerm Windows and Doors has been awarded over $130,000 in government grants to help enhance its production capabilities at its facility in Whitehorse, Yukon. NRC-IRAP grants will allow Northerm to implement automation technologies and execute lean manufacturing process improvements. As a result, the company will double manufacturing capacity and boost its market competitiveness.
Up to $130,345 in grants will be provided to Northerm Windows and Doors through the National Research Council Canada (NRC)‘s IRAP Mid-Size Projects program. The government grant supports large-scale projects that explore new innovative process improvements and technology development. NRC-IRAP funding will help Northerm offset labour costs and improve the project’s return-on-investment (ROI).
In remote areas across Canada, like the Yukon, manufacturers can face challenges competing with businesses from more developed areas. Accessing NRC-IRAP grants may support competitiveness-enhancing projects that spur innovation and lead to business growth.
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NRC-IRAP Grants Support Manufacturing Production Improvements in Yukon
Northerm Windows and Doors was founded in 1985 and is recognized as the Yukon’s preeminent manufacturer of energy efficient home closure building materials. The company currently serves markets in northern Canada and is working to enhance operations and compete at a national level.
To increase manufacturing abilities, the company recently announced that it would move all its production operations from Alaska to a facility in Whitehorse.
The company has been awarded $130,345 in government funding through the NRC-IRAP Midsize Projects program. IRAP’s contribution will allow Northerm to adopt automation technologies and implement lean manufacturing process improvements. In addition, IRAP grants will allow Northerm to upgrade machinery, execute workforce training, and hire an industrial engineer to support its operations in Whitehorse, Yukon.
NRC-IRAP small business grants will help Northerm double its current production capacity, improve product quality, create new jobs, and boost the company’s competitiveness in domestic markets. It’s hoped that the government funding will help Northerm become one of the largest manufacturer-exporters in Canada’s territories.
“NRC-IRAP’s support is enabling us to increase our production capacity, create a safer work environment and improve quality.”
– David Bourd, General Manager of Northerm Windows and Doors
NRC-IRAP Grants Help Manufacturers Solve Production Challenges
NRC-IRAP government funding programs support research and development projects across Canada. IRAP grants enable technology-focused businesses to address internal technical challenges, as well as execute large-scale process improvement and innovative technology development projects.
IRAP government funding helps innovative businesses enhance their processes and products, adopt new technologies, and increase market competitiveness. IRAP’s two program streams, IRAP Accelerated Review Process (ARP) and IRAP Midsize Projects, provide Canadian manufacturers with R&D funding to help offset internal labour and Canadian consulting costs.
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NRC-IRAP Accelerated Review Process (ARP)
The IRAP Accelerated Review Process (ARP) program supports research and development projects that allow Canadian manufacturers to solve internal technical challenges to support product and/or process improvements. IRAP grants can be used to support exploratory research projects that help facilitate growth while improving market competitiveness and increasing return-on-investment (ROI) by reducing labour expenses.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 80% to offset internal labour and up to 50% of consulting costs up to a maximum $50,000 in research grants.
NRC-IRAP Midsize Projects
The IRAP Midsize Projects program supports large-scale R&D projects that lead to the development or enhancement of innovative products, processes, or services that are commercially viable and addresses a market gap. Eligible businesses can access IRAP grants to offset technical labour costs associated with the project.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 80% to offset project labour and up to 50% of consulting costs, to a maximum $100,000–$500,000/year in Canadian government funding.
Apply for NRC-IRAP Research and Development Funding Programs
Manufacturers across Canada can get started with IRAP funding programs to accelerate their innovative technology-focused initiatives. With IRAP funding, businesses can enhance their processes and products, in addition to adopting new technologies.
Businesses with innovative projects may contact Mentor Works to learn more about the IRAP application process.
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