LONG HARBOUR, NL — A Newfoundland and Labrador piping company with operations in Long Harbour expects to reduce expenses through a building purchase.
Last month, Eastern Composite Services finalized an agreement to purchase a 30,000-square foot industrial building in Long Harbour. This allows the company to consolidate multiple operations under one roof, including fiberglass, rubber lining and anode services.
"It does reduce our cost, because everyone is in underneath the one building as opposed to being spread out in two or three different locations," said Eastern Composite managing director Andrew Colford. "And, we are closer to our primary customer, which is Vale."
Vale operates the Long Harbour Nickel Processing Plant. Colford believes moving multiple facets of the company's business into one building strengthens its competitiveness and allows Eastern Composite to focus on services provided to Vale. Eastern Composite Services is also exploring opportunities to expand its business offerings to Vale and others.
Down the road from Long Harbour, there's plenty of activity brewing in Argentia for Husky Energy's West White Rose Project. Colford noted that while his company is not "in the primary chase" when it comes to work in Argentia, Eastern Composite Services is keeping an eye on the project.
"Some of the companies that we do business with are actively involved in Argentia, and we hope to provide some sort of support services — fabrication, manufacturing type of opportunities — as it arises."
As is the case for most businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador, Eastern Composite Services operates amidst a tough economic climate. But Colford said the company is making investments designed to ensure it's well positioned to "take advantage of the next cyclical upswing."
Maher Group of Companies is an affiliate of Eastern Composite Services. Workers have been in the building for just over a year, according to Colford.
