SIDNEY - Ramsay Machine Works in Sidney, B.C. expects to double their workforce early next year to build new loading equipment to handle the growing demand for coal exports at Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver.

"Since 2007, our steelmaking coal exports to China have soared from 140, 000 to almost 4.4 million tonnes in 2010," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Because we have a world-class transportation system, we are able to handle demand for coal from Asia and other parts of the world. Neptune Terminals is showing confidence in B.C. by investing more than $60 million, including a $20-million contract with Ramsay to build equipment right here in Sidney."

Neptune Terminals has signed a $20-million contract with EMS-Tech of Belleville, Ontario to build a new stacker-reclaimer at Ramsay Machine Works in Sidney. The contract is part of a larger $63.5-million terminal investment program at Neptune Terminals.

As the terminal increases volumes, 60 permanent jobs will be added at Neptune through the expansion program. The Vancouver Island fabricator, Ramsay Machine Works, expects to hire up to 20 or 25 additional tradespeople for this project.

"Investing in our terminal and in North Vancouver will give us the capacity needed to better serve our shareholders' growth in the seaborne market," said Neptune Terminals president and CEO Jim Belsheim. "We are proud to have selected a B.C.-based company to help us build for the future."

The stacker-reclaimer equipment, along with other terminal upgrades will increase coal handling capacity at Neptune from nine million to 12.5 million tonnes per year. It will allow Neptune Terminals to simultaneously move the steelmaking coal from trains to the stockpiles and directly from stockpiles onto vessels, increasing efficiency and operating flexibility. The stacker-reclaimer will further enhance Neptune's environmental measures with a best-in-class dust suppression system.

"Ramsay Machine Works, along with our valued and highly skilled employees, is extremely proud and excited to be involved in this special project," said Greg Ramsay, president, Ramsay Machine Works Ltd. "This will be a world class project that has been manufactured and completed right here in British Columbia. With the additional involvement of many local suppliers and companies there will be significant amount of jobs being created locally, the end result will be a great benefit for both the local and provincial economies."

Teck Resources Limited, one of Neptune's major shareholders, is expanding steelmaking coal production in B.C. to meet increasing demand from Asia and other growth markets. Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver is expanding its capacity to ship more coal to world markets.

Coal exports moving by rail across B.C. are creating jobs all across the province. 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' is working to strengthen our infrastructure to get our goods and services to market.

"Ramsay's innovation and enterprise has won this exciting contract from Neptune," said Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. "It means more jobs in our community and further evidence that 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' is working here to create jobs for families on the Island as well as all over B.C.

"EMS-Tech thanks Neptune Terminals for the stacker-reclaimer contract award," said Peter Sorensen, president of EMS-Tech Inc. "We are pleased, as well, to work again with Ramsay Machine Works and their highly skilled staff. Building this prestigious project within B.C. using B.C. skilled labour is certainly a cause for celebration and will be a significant showcase of the quality and creative capabilities available within the Province."

Quick Facts:

• Neptune Terminals has invested $20-million in a contract awarded to EMS-Tech, a Belleville, Ontario-based company. The Ramsay Machine Works contract is part of this contract and all work will be done in B.C.
• Neptune Terminals has invested $75 million in its North Vancouver terminal over the past two years.

Learn More:

http://www.neptuneterminals.com/

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/PacificGateway/index.htm

http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/canada-starts-here/

UPDATE NOTE: As part of its BC Jobs Plan (bcjobsplan.ca) , on April 2, 2012, the Province released The Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy: 2012-2020 (bcjobsplan.ca) . They are also seeking public input on this related question: “How can Vancouver become a globally recognized maritime centre of excellence, by 2020?” (engage.bcjobsplan.ca) Join the conversation and share your ideas.

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Claire Alter
Spokesperson for Neptune Terminals,
Ramsay Machine Works Ltd. and EMS-Tech Inc.
604 691-7393
calter@national.ca