News Release

CLAIR (GNB) – A Clair company that makes value-added wood products is installing new equipment to improve its efficiency and productivity, thanks to investments by the provincial and federal governments.

The investment in Fiready was announced today Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry and by federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt.

"We are proud to support Fiready and its staff as they work to become more competitive in the export market,” said Landry. “Smart investments such as this one demonstrate our commitment to moving New Brunswick forward. The success of our small and medium-sized enterprises strengthens our economy."

Landry made the announcement on behalf of Economic Development Minister Rick Doucet and of Health Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

“Our government’s investment will help Fiready Inc. expand its business, enhance its productivity and efficiency and diversify its markets,” said Valcourt. “This project, which also makes better use of the biomass, will help this rural New Brunswick company to grow and further contribute to our region’s economy.”

Valcourt spoke on behalf of Rob Moore, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The project consists of purchasing and installing a biomass boiler. This equipment will increase the operation’s productivity by maximizing the plant’s drying capability. It is expected that acquiring this technology will result in increased sales for the business.

The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program, is providing a $350,000 repayable contribution to the modernization project. The provincial government is providing $110,000 through the Northern New Brunswick Economic Development and Innovation Fund, and $50,000 through the NB Growth program. Fiready is investing $10,000 and has a $200,000 loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada. 

“The mission of Fiready Inc. is to provide firewood that surpasses the customer’s expectations, a value-added product that is kiln-dried and packaged,” said Fiready president and owner Peter Clair. “Strong demand exceeds our full production capacity.”

“At a time when we are looking to meet the increase in client demand, this project will allow us to increase productivity substantially,” said director of sales and co-owner Marielle Clair. “We would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick for their support and trust.”

Fiready Inc. was founded in 1999 and makes dried, packaged firewood for the New England market and those of other eastern US states. The family business has been operating in the forestry industry since 1882. The company exports between 40 and 50 per cent of its production to the United States, and has started to develop the Eastern Canadian market and that of the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Fiready employs about 15 people on a full-time basis.