NATIONAL LOAD-CELL CERTIFICATION FACILITY SLATED FOR HUMBOLDT

Released on March 23, 1995

Eric Upshall, MLA for Humboldt, on behalf of Economic Development
Minister Dwain Lingenfelter, today welcomed the announcement that a
national load-cell certification facility will be established in
Humboldt.

Announcement of the project, expected to be in operation by April,
1996, was made in Humboldt.

Upshall said the facility will give Canadian load-cell manufacturers
access to internationally-recognized product certification in Canada
instead of being forced to have the testing done outside of the
country.

Load cells are the weight-sensing devices used in electronic scales.
Industry Canada's legal metrology branch wanted to establish the
Canadian Load cell Test Facility to test these devices to Canadian and
international standards. Humboldt-based Prairie Agricultural Machinery
Institute (PAMI) convinced the legal metrology branch that PAMI has the
suitable expertise, research and development skills needed to operate
such a facility.

"Saskatchewan load-cell manufacturers account for more than half of the
Canadian legal-for-trade industry," Upshall said. "I applaud the
common sense spirit of co-operation among the private sector,
provincial and federal governments which has resulted in the testing
centre being located where the bulk of the industry it serves and the
expertise to operate it both exist."
Industry Canada's legal metrology branch is supplying associated
equipment and controls worth nearly $1.5 million. PAMI will provide a
fully-equipped and serviced facility for housing the equipment; provide
testing, research and development services; and will operate the
facility, assuming all operating costs. The province has agreed to
provide PAMI with $175,000 toward the estimated $230,000 cost of a
building.

At present there is no Canadian capacity to accurately test large load
cells. The Humboldt centre will provide this capability and will
improve the accuracy of large-capacity scales used to weigh rail cars,
trucks and other heavy loads. It will be available to Canadian load
cell manufacturers to research and develop their products to improve
quality, and meet national and international standards.

"Being able to manufacture load cells that meet international standards
should facilitate access to foreign markets for Canadian companies,"
Upshall said. As well, manufacturers will no longer need to seek
testing services abroad.

The load-cell certification facility will become part of the PAMI
operation. When completed, it will employ two people with technical
and engineering skills. It is anticipated the facility will create an
additional 10 to 20 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

"This new national facility is a welcome addition to the advanced
technology infrastructure we are building in Saskatchewan," Upshall
said. "It also fits well with our strategy to commercialize research
and development for sectors such as the electronics and instrumentation
industry which is a growing economic force in our province. This
facility will stimulate the economy within Canada by keeping research
and development jobs in Canada and, more specifically, here on the
Prairies."
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For more information, contact:
Lorne Smith Jim Wassermann
Economic Development PAMI
Saskatoon Phone: 933-7210 Humboldt Phone: 1-800-567-7264