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New jobs at old NovAtel□ News of expansion within a month, says Japan Radio presidentBy SHERRI GALLANT of The HernldWith promises of up 10 90 new jobs and hopes of doubling capacity of the Lethbridge plant, ihe president of Japan Radio Canada Inc, said goodbye to No-vAtet Saturday and hello 10 JRC.“We’re going to add more people, add more product and add more function into this facility and inlo this area,” David McDowell, of Fort Worth, Tex., said 10 a crowd of employees sporting new, red JRC T-shirts as lliey wailed in the sun for the ribbon cutting.Il made official a deal which lias been under negotiation since mid-May of 1993.McDowell said he hopes lo bring definite word of expansion soon.“Within a month I should have news 1 believe will enable us . to double the capacity of this planL.” McDowell said, but would not elaborate.Part of Saturday’s festivities included unveiling the company’s new signage and presenting Local administrators and Japanese executives with gifts from southern Alberta.JRC now employs about 500 people in Calgary, Lethbridge and Fnrl Wnrlh, with about 240 in Lethbridge.When the company took over NovAteTs operations in Lethbridge and Fort Worth.-it said there were plans to keep Lethbridge research and development personnel in those locations on staff.Some have transferred.“We believe we can bring something of value to the community, especially I lie jobs,” said Minoru Funahashi, Japan Radio dniirmmi and CEO.He assured employees they remain the company's “most precious asset” and said alter Xt) years in the business, Japan Radio lias come attribute the words creativity, challenge, innovation, trust, lailh and co-operation with its success.Carnet Bailey, vice president and general manager, said Hie company is on a roll.“Were here to make a noise,” Bailey said lo kind cheers.Japan Radio will employ research and development personnel in Lethbridge and Fort Worth lo expand penetration of the company's products in North American markets.The Lethbridge plant will begin making hand held cellular phones within a couple of mouths, McDowell said.“That’s why some of Ihe Japanese people are lie re now.” he said. “They’re louking at the plant and deciding where some of the equipment will be aoiniz for the hand-held line.“With the hand-held manufacturing, wc should eventually double in ihe mini-ber of workers.'[ don't know if it’s really gotten across, but 111 is is (he Canadian headquarters of Japan Radio.”JRC is in so many countries, McDowell said, he can’t keep track of the S2- b ill ion-a-y ir ar out 111.Nov Atcl was sold by the province twovesirs aun.Hong Kong-based businessman Horst Pudwill bought the cellular handset sideMINORU FUNAHASHI and Dave McDowell tip their hats at the opening ceremonies of the JRCof the company while Northern Telecom bought the cellular systems side.Pudwill paid the Alberta government S3 million in cash. S5.K million in receivables with an additional S20 millionHERALD PHOTO BY DAVID RQSSlTERCanada Inc, at the site previously housing Novatel Communica-rions.deferred over five years.JRC Lethbridge is now the only munufaclunnu fheihtv outsideft S adLethbridge. The company’s Japanese plant encompasses four square blocks.
Newspaper Details
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
Sun, Apr 10, 1994
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Chinook A.
AB, USA 30 Nov 2022
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