Manufacturing  

Industry Snapshot  Competitive Advantages  Incentives

Testimonials   Resource Organizations

 

Industry Snapshot

Manufacturing is a major contributor to Kamloops' local economy.  With more than 120 fabrication and manufacturing companies operating the Kamloops area over 7.1% of the population is employed in the sector. Kamloops manufacturers have traditionally been tied to the resource sector with recent years experiencing a growth in smaller, niche-oriented companies.

Kamloops manufacturers, until recently, have been operating in a strong business climate where businesses reported 10% to 30% growth during the past 3 to 5 years.  Most manufacturers, particularly those servicing the construction trade, forestry, mining and alternative health sectors have been able to continue to expand their operations.  Steel and wood fabrication sectors have been a steady and solid sector as institutional and commercial real estate projects in the Kamloops Region have been steady. 

Approximately seventy-five percent of Kamloops manufacturing companies are exporting to the international market.  Most companies service both a local market and a broader regional market, which includes Western Canada, USA, Europe and Asia. 

 

Competitive Advantages

One of Kamloops' advantage is its geographic location in the province of British Columbia.  As a transportation hub with trucking, rail and air cargo access; the ability to move product from Kamloops in a cost-efficient method to other locations is ideal. 

Affordable industrial zoned land and access to a well-trained and available labour pool, local services to support manufacturing such as machine shops, parts/supply distributors and technology, are attractive to businesses comparing manufacturing locations within the province.  Livability and family lifestyle are also significant components for locating a business in Kamloops.   

 Kamloops is also home to Thompson Rivers University, Canada's most "comprehensive university".  With over 1,200 graduates locally a year from a wide variety of diploma, undergraduate and graduate programs TRU works closely with community and industry organizations, and all levels of government.  TRU faculty and students offer research, development and innovation transfer, drawing upon the broad range of expertise across the disciplines.

Since 1996, TRU faculty and students have worked with over 200 manufacturing and technology businesses to develop and implement commercial applications of new and existing technologies and innovations.  Projects including consulting for wood products and other manufacturing companies, equipment automation projects for industry, technology commercialization, business start-up and marketing advice, and applied research and development to regional and provincial businesses and industries.

 

Incentives

Machinery and Equipment Investment

Purchase of eligible machinery and equipment is exempted from BC sales tax.  Eligible expenditures include machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, software development, mining and mineral exploration, petroleum and natural gas production and logging.   

Local business development agencies provide manufacturers with ample business support and business retention services.  Government and not-for-profit organizations provide assistance with business start-up, expansion plans, regulatory issues and financing.

 

Testimonials

"CanDig Mini Excavators Inc. chose to be incorporated in Kamloops, B.C. in August, 2002 after considering various other options, including Kelowna and Calgary.  Kamloops was chosen due to the lower cost of establishing a manufacturing business, and generally lower cost of living.  In Kamloops, there has been an impressive amount of support for our business from the Chamber of Commerce, Venture Kamloops, Community Futures, local banks, and the National Research Council of Canada.  Kamloops also provides spectacular outdoor experiences for its residents, including skiing, hiking, and other recreational activities.  Collectively, Kamloops is a very attractive place to locate new business venture." 

Gordon Leschyson, CanDig Mini Excavators Inc.

 

Resource Organizations

British Columbia Manufacturers' Directory