A Canadian technology company, which has worked on projects around the world, has relocated from Alberta to Summerland.
North West Technology Inc. designs, supplies and installs communications infrastructure for industrial projects. Its clients have been in mining, oil and gas and forestry industries.
Some of the projects have been in Madagascar, Panama, the United States and Canada. Many are multi-year projects in remote locations.
Company president Dean Colpitts said the move to Summerland came because of the high cost of land in Alberta.
“The cost of doing business in Alberta has grown exponentially in the last 10 years,” he said. “Most of our income is international. That allows us to pick and choose where we’ll be.”
The company was formed in Edmonton early in 2003. Since that time, it has grown and taken on significant projects around the world.
At present, North West Technology has nine employees and numerous contractors for its projects. Some of the positions are project-based while others are full-time.
The company bought a 511 square metre building at 9202 Shale Ave. earlier this year. A 186 square metre office addition was constructed on the north side of the building.
There are five people on staff at the Summerland office, although the staff on site is expected to grow to eight to 10 people, Colpitts said.
The Summerland facility also includes warehouse space, allowing the company to store equipment needed for its various projects.