News Release

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2003

ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES MANUFACTURING FACILITY ESTABLISHED

SYDNEY, N.S. -- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced today, Government of Canada funding towards the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Sydney.
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Protocase, a privately held company, is redefining the way engineers order custom electronic enclosures and metal products. 

Electronic devices generally require an enclosure for mounting circuit boards. These enclosures require cutouts and openings for switches, displays and/or power supplies through which the controls and connectors pass. Currently, there are limited options for making a purchase of customized cases and customers face a four-to-six week wait for their enclosures, depending on the availability of machine shops.

Protocase offers customers fully finished, customized metal enclosures, sold directly via the Internet, with short delivery times and competitive pricing. Every aspect of manufacturing is computer automated to ensure accuracy, reliability, repeatability and efficiency.

The project includes the establishment of a first-line production capability, market development and facility renovations. The machinery purchase includes a high speed Computer Numeric Process Controls (CNC) laser. The marketing activities include the development of a website and printed material. 

The total estimated cost of the project is $450,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will make a repayable contribution of $200,000 through the Business Development Program. 

Protocase manufactures its enclosures at a facility established in the former Co-op Building on Kings Road, and currently employs seven people.

“This company is benefiting from the Government of Canada's commitment to small businesses to provide support for start-ups and expansions. This project at Protocase has great potential and will use leading-edge, laser technology to service a growing, predominantly-export market,” said Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, speaking on behalf of the Minister Byrne. 

“Our advantage is in our ability to deliver any shape or size metal enclosure to our clients throughout North America within days. We produce these enclosures using a new process that enables us to quickly deliver fully customized, very affordable enclosures,” said Stephen Lilley, President, Protocase Incorporated. 

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan 
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne 
Minister of State 
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Mark Eyking, MP
Sydney-Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275 

Mary Ann MacCormick 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-7269
Fax: (902) 564-3825
Email: mmaccor2@ecbc.ca

Stephen Lilley, President
Protocase Incorporated 
Tel: (902) 567-3335
Fax: (902) 567-3336
slilley@protocase.com
www.protocase.com