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August 25, 2012
For immediate release
Governments of Canada and PEI support Aerospace Company seeking to expand to overseas markets
Innovation PEI
“Focusing on innovation and increasing our exports is a key component to achieve our Government’s plan to create jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity for Canadians,” said Minister Shea. “That is why we are proud to support Tronos, at a time when the company is now looking to break into new international markets and to put forward a competitive bids to sell its unique air tankers around the globe.”
The Tronos group owns or manages in excess of 20 BAe146 aircraft and recently embarked on an innovative project to convert the airliner to various configurations. In 2009, the company successfully developed the first-ever jet-powered 3,000 gallon air tanker. This prototype was found to be the most advanced land-based fire fighting air tanker in the world.
“Innovative companies such as the Tronos group are putting Prince Edward Island on the map,” said Minister Roach. “Our government continues to invest into PEI’s aerospace community as it continues to grow and succeed into one of our top industries.”
The Company secured its first launch customer from the United States in Montana. Outside of the United States, Tronos has determined that Australia, Europe and South America have the greatest market potential and is presently investigating the prospect of submitting a proposal to deliver BAe146 air tankers into this market.
“Tronos is very proud of the achievements of all its staff in producing the Tronos BAe 146 Airtankers, the first of their kind in the world. Further we are very pleased with the support we have received from the Government of Canada and the PEI provincial government programs that have assisted Tronos in creating and marketing this Airtanker,” said Mark Coffin, CEO, Tronosjet Maintenance Inc.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, will invest $96,690 so that Tronos can engage a qualified consultant to perform the necessary research, marketing and due diligence, to put forward competitive bids to sell its unique air tanker in the overseas markets. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Innovation Development Labor Rebate program has invested $544,000 to support the development of Trono’s water bomber. Additionally, through the Capital Acquisition Support program the Government of PEI gave the Tronos group a $10,000 grant to facilitate Tronos’s transition from the research and development stage to production by purchasing improved, more suitable equipment. Assistance through this program will aid Tronos in becoming a leader in the airtanker modification industry and thereby securing additional contracts, which may result in further production and employment increases.
