CME Vice President NB-PEI Ron Marcolin (submitted)
The manufacturing sector is taking the pandemic as a chance to review how it operates.
Ron Marcolin, vice-president with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, says they represent 60 companies in the province and some have had to do layoffs.
He said some companies had to scramble and make some tweaks to the way their businesses run.
“Early on, we had a lot of concerns about the border, specifically the U.S. border, that seemed to certainly open up the supply in both directions, the import and export so that was a very positive thing,” he said.
He said companies are focusing on efficiency and new markets, in order to diversify their risks.
“Our membership is looking at other alternatives, which is a very prudent thing to do in business. They’re looking at automation, they’re looking at efficiency changes, more for the better,” he said.
Marcolin said manufacturers and exporters are an optimistic bunch and look to do things better.
“The overarching thing obviously is the financial issue but in part the companies are operational, they aren’t necessarily 100 per cent operational but for the most part manufacturing in New Brunswick has weathered the storm quite well which we’re happy to announce,” he said.
