CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Sekisui Diagnostics in Charlottetown is expanding again to add capacity and jobs which will benefit Islanders and the province’s economy.
The company expects to add 15 to 20 new jobs through this expansion, bringing total employment at the facility to over 130.
“Sekisui is an anchor company in the province’s rapidly expanding bio-science sector, with a growing workforce and ever-increasing export capacity,” said Economic Development Minister Chris Palmer.
“This is the fourth expansion to the facility in the last four years. It will allow the company to increase capacity for the manufacture of chemical diagnostics currently produced in Japan for North American markets and add jobs.”
The province owns the facility occupied by Sekisui in the West Royalty Business Park.
Government will fund this next expansion to a maximum of $1.1 million and will provide $200,000 to assist with fit up of the new space.
The province expects to recover its investment through its lease with the company.
“This expansion is a huge milestone for our PEI facility in that we will now have the same capability as our sister factory in Japan,” said Eugene Howatt, plant manager for Sekisui Diagnostics P.E.I. “This allows us to transfer additional products and grow our volume and revenue out of the Charlottetown site. It is a testament to the dedication our parent company has for PEI and for our hard working and talented employees.”
The Bio-Science sector has grown over the last 10 years on P.E.I. It contributes $220 million to the provincial economy and employs over 1,500 Islanders.
