Client Spotlight: Pillar5 Pharma Inc. (Arnprior, ON)

Along with help from government funding Pillar5 Pharma Inc. has significantly advanced its Arnprior manufacturing facility. With a rich history dating back to 1956 when it was first established by Pfizer Canada, Pillar5 Pharma boasts a highly-skilled workforce of nearly 100 employees. The facility has a long-standing record of manufacturing quality within the pharmaceutical industry. Pillar5 delivers quality services under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) within several areas, including: manufacturing capabilities, packaging, aseptic, services in support of manufacturing, analytical and microbiological testing services, and formulation and process development services. Continued investment in the Arnprior manufacturing facility over many years provides Pillar5 customers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, infrastructure and processes. Alex Barlow, Business Development Executive at Mentor Works recently spoke with Pillar5’s CEO, Kevin Rampton, about their partnership with Mentor Works and how the relationship has helped them grow.

Why did you decide to use Mentor Works to assist you with the funding procedure?

“Bernadeen (Mentor Works’ President) and her team had the credibility and know-how to guide us through the complex application processes as well as take over the preparation of the significant documentation requirements for FedDev Ontario funding.” states Kevin Rampton, CEO of Pillar5. “They were then able to identify additional programs to complement our initial win; as a result we were able to leverage additional grants for our expansion.”

How did working with Mentor Works change your beliefs about government funding?

“As a growing business, we struggled to find the time to devote to learning the requirements and producing a viable proposal for government funding” said Kevin.

“Mentor Works make the process easier, taking our internal documents and budget, interviewing our team and in some cases working directly with the funding agency to respond to questions.”
–Kevin Rampton, CEO, Pillar5 Pharma Inc.

As a proud partner of Pillar5, Mentor Works team has had the opportunity to help select and access numerous Ontario and Canadian business grants for their operations.

How was the process? What obstacles were removed by working with Mentor Works?

“Mentor Works accelerated the process by preparing documentation, providing templates, and pushing our team to pull the project details together” says Kevin. “Working alongside Pillar5’s management team, Mentor Works’ streamlined application process has successfully minimized the amount of time Pillar5’s management team has needed to contribute to working on its government funding applications.”

Would you recommend Mentor Works to other colleagues?

“We have and do recommend Mentor Works to other businesses,” says Kevin.

What was the most valuable aspect of working with Mentor Works?

“After our initial engagement, [Mentor Works] continue[s] to highlight relevant programs, provide advice, and keep us updated on new funding programs. So, we continue to look to you for advice on what is available,” Pillar5’s CEO told Alex.

How did the funding received affect your business objectives?

“We were able to accelerate our growth plan for the facility and as a result have grown our business in headcount and revenues,” said Kevin “we’ve been able to leverage both federal and provincial funding efficiently.”

Mentor Works Services Small to Medium Sized Businesses in Eastern Ontario and across Canada

If your business has more than 10 employees, has been incorporated for 3 years or more, and is performing research and development or manufacturing within Canada, you are invited to attend one of our upcoming complimentary government funding workshops.