Tilson Announces Federal Support for Local Business

BOLTON, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon today announced an investment in D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. of Bolton through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

“Our Government is strongly committed to initiatives that support science, technology, and the growth of innovative Canadian firms,” said Mr. Tilson. “Like so many small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario, D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. is doing some really innovative work. These businesses are critical to the Canadian economy, and our Government will continue to put in place the tools that Canadian businesses need to grow, create jobs, and secure long-term prosperity.”

D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. will receive up to $50,000 from NRC IRAP to develop a range of Multi-Language LED Traffic Director Messaging Systems.

“The purpose of this project is to design our own Multi-Language LED Traffic Director Messaging System to allow us to compete globally in this market sector,” said Alfredo Darolfi, Vice-President, D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. “Having our own product that we can market globally will open new export market opportunities and growth for D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. and will create new job opportunities in the Bolton area as our business grows. NRC-IRAP has been extremely helpful in assisting our company to grow and be competitive with financial contributions, technological advisory services, and connecting us with government assistance programs that we may qualify for, while also accelerating our product development time frames in getting products to market.”

D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. designs, manufactures, assembles, and installs a wide variety of innovative, customized, and standard Police and Emergency service vehicle lighting systems, sirens, flashers, and mobile mounting console technologies, since 1976.

On May 7, 2013, the Government of Canada announced the refocused NRC and outlined how its new structure will be more beneficial to business. NRC will work with industry to bridge technology gaps, helping build a more innovative Canadian economy. This project is an example of the kind of research and technology development that NRC will pursue to benefit industry and contribute to a stronger and more prosperous Canada.

NRC IRAP provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory services, as well as necessary financial support, to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Canada. It engages in cost-shared research and development projects with its clients. Firms helped by NRC IRAP are better equipped to perform basic research and development, commercialize new products and processes, and access new markets.

NRC is a research and technology organization focused on real-world applications and the needs of Canadian businesses. NRC provides Canadian industry with access to the strategic research and development, technical services, and specialized scientific infrastructure it needs to excel on the global stage.

Economic Action Plan 2013 is providing $20 million over three years for a new pilot program delivered through NRC IRAP. The program will help SMEs commercialize their products or services more quickly. It will provide them with credit notes to help pay for research, technology and business development services at the universities, colleges and other non-profit research institutions of their choice. The new funding will enable hundreds of Canadian businesses to access the highly qualified talent found in Canada’s world-class universities and colleges and will also help create high-value jobs for Canadians.