A new regional trade association has been formed to promote Greater Sudbury’s fastest growing sector. The Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) has been formed to assist Sudbury area mining supply and service companies export goods and services worldwide.
Interim co-chair, Mike Castron, of Cast Resources Equipment Ltd., says a number of private-sector executives have been meeting over the past few months to discuss this initiative. The association will market the wide range of skills, services and products emanating from the Sudbury area globally.
“This association must be built from within the existing companies in the area if it is to succeed,” says Castron.
Todd Herold, of Herold Supply, is also an interim co-chair of the association.
SAMSSA has four key objectives: to increase global sales through direct sales trips and contacts, expand international marketing tools, provide continual export education, and establish a dynamic, interactive Web portal and newsletter highlighting members.
SAMSSA will be a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission and objectives of the organization. Professional resources will report to a seven-member board of directors.
Castron says the timing is right for the launch of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service
Association.
“We are pleased with the recent announcement of federal funds to support regional trade networks, trade missions and export development issues. We commend The Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development) for FedNor’s ongoing commitment as outlined in the ‘Government of Canada - Action Plan for Northern Ontario’. SAMSSA looks forward to a positive working relationship with FedNor as the association moves forward.”
Marc Couse, one of the founding patrons and Honorary Consul of South Africa, predicts that an increasing number of working relationships will be developed between Sudbury area mining supply
and service firms and companies in South Africa.
