British Columbia is welcoming the news that Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. and Air Water Plant & Engineering Inc. (HTAW) are investing $2.2 million to open their North American head office in Vancouver.

The office will co-ordinate manufacturing and sales in North America for tank containers that will be used for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related products.

Starting operations on June 2, the newly established company will conduct a manufacturing and sales operation for LNG transport tank containers and related products, which offer safe, highly efficient transportation of small to medium volumes of natural gas. Specifically, HTAW will use Hitachi High-Tech’s sales expertise and network in North America to market LNG transportation tank containers that utilize Air Water Plant & Engineering’s cryogenic thermal insulation technologies.

This technology offers superior performance against shock and vibration during transport. HTAW will focus its operations mainly on regional energy supply companies and major logistics companies in the U.S. and Canada.

The Ministry of International Trade's office in Tokyo, Japan provided Hitachi High-Technologies with a strong argument for establishing its presence in British Columbia, including: B.C.’s low-tax environment and easy access to both West Coast and Asian markets, as well as programs like Advantage BC that will help them grow their business.

The North American LNG market has seen growth in demand, not only for large-volume demand at large-scale power stations and other facilities, but also small- and medium- volume demand. As a result, natural gas is expected to find various applications, such as in small-scale power plants and LNG-powered locomotives. This, in turn, creates a growing need for small- and medium-volume natural gas transportation options like trucks and railways, rather than the conventional large-volume transportation via pipeline.

Quotes:

Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat -

“The decision by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and Air Water Plant & Engineering Inc. to locate their North American operations in British Columbia speaks to our business-friendly climate, our competitive tax regime and our highly skilled workforce.”

HTAW president Marc Bolduc -

“Natural gas is expected to find various applications, such as in small-scale power plants and high-horsepower applications such as LNG-powered locomotives. In line with this, there is a growing need for small- and medium-volume natural gas transportation means such as trucks and railways, rather than the conventional large-volume transportation means of pipelines.”

“By locating our head office in Vancouver, we will be well-positioned to reach out to companies in Canada and the U.S. who are looking to efficiently transport natural gas using our LNG tank containers and related products. British Columbia was the ideal choice for us to base our operations.”

Quick Facts:

• There are currently 13 proposed LNG projects in B.C., nine of which already have approved export licences from the National Energy Board.
• Based on a scenario with five LNG plants constructed between 2015 and 2024, the LNG sector has the potential for $175 billion in industry investment over the next decade. 
• LNG export operations in B.C. could support up to 100,000 new jobs in British Columbia and new revenues for government to support a debt-free future.
• Companies have invested more than $7 billion in B.C. to acquire upstream natural-gas assets and secure the development of pipelines and LNG plants in B.C.

Learn More:

Hitachi High-Tech: www.hitachi-hitec.com/global/

Air Water Plant & Engineering Inc.: www.awpe.co.jp/english/

Check out the Province’s official trade and investment website: www.BritishColumbia.ca

Advantage BC: www.advantagebc.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
778 977-0298

HTAW
Greg Rozitis
604 720-2010