The Economic Impact of Winter/cold weather testing in Thompson, MB

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WINTER/COLD WEATHER TESTING IN THOMPSON, MB

Prepared by Thompson Unlimited

Presentation to the Thompson Chamber of Commerce January 20th, 2010

www.thompsonsubzero.ca

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

Different tests conducted on machinery in cold/winter weather are a necessary step in a manufacturer’s product R&D process, as well as for continuous/total quality improvement programs. Cold/winter weather testing under real world conditions offers testers a truer measure of performance, validity and reliability measures using data obtained thru actual functioning as opposed to data collected in a simulated environment (i.e. cold test chambers). Real world testing is acknowledged by manufacturers as being more efficient and effective.

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

The Cold/Winter Weather Testing Industry – Thompson’s KSFs

Affordable electricity, abundance of water. Local infrastructure (including hospital, all-season paved road, rail,

retail stores, etc.). Convenient and affordable access to/from Thompson. Sufficiently removed, yet relatively close. Dollar exchange rates work in the favour of foreign companies testing

in Canada due to exchange rate gains. Variety of road surfaces to test on; including gravel, paved, ice and

winter roads located close to Thompson.  Early season testing. Thompson is relatively close to the U.S. Midwest - Center of US auto,

tire and part manufacturers in comparison to Alaska or European countries having cold weather and capacity to attract/work with winter weather testers.

Climate Change impacting us, and others.

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

Thompson Unlimited’s Approach to WWT

Use of a local facilitator to work with a client. WWT Committee & the TU Board of Directors. Full-time Development Coordinator dedicating a portion

of her time to advance this. Involvement of community (City, businesses). Growing body of experience & expertise. Out-of-province travel global reach – local benefit. Expanding focus of WWT to include aerospace, off-road,

heavy equipment, etc. Contract administration.

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

A Few Words About Economic Impact Measurement . . . .

A Few Words About Confidentiality . . .

What/Why should we be ‘warm’ to WWT? Show me the money!!!

Table 1 –Sample of Companies where international Company ‘A’ purchased goods/services from during the 2007/08 Winter Season.

Sapach Trucking IDC Communications Ackland's Grainger J .A. Robinson Pump Services

Arctic Signs Juniper Centre Canadian Tire KDM Janitorial

CIBC Keysan City of Thompson LGD of Mystery Lake

Clarke Phillips Manitoba Hydro Computers Go McMunn & Yates

Country Inns and Suites Merv's Excavating (Churchill) Doak's Bulk Fuel MTS Eric's Plumbing NAPA

EECOL Nor-Man Glass FedEx NCS Holdings

Gagnon Equipment North Central Towing Gardewine North Northgate Refrigeration Geo. H. Young Patent Electric

Greyhound Performance Strategies Hanover Door Systems Precambrian Press

Home Hardware Radioshack Helicopter Rapid Cleaners

Red's Septic Services Red's Septic Services Robin's Donuts Robin's Donuts

Safeway Tree Suns Towing Skyward Aviation Triangle Computer Systems

Sobey's United Rentals Stittco Energy UPS

Swish Maintenance Waste Management The Source Weber Supply Company

Thompson Extinguisher Service Welders Supplies Thompson Ford Sales Wilson's Business Solutions

Thompson Gas Bar Co-Op Westburne Electric Thompson Heavy Equipment Wireless Solutions

Thompson Insurance Grand Total $736,328.88

Number of Hotel Room Stays

(186 person visits for avg. 20 day trip)

Unit

3,720

Cost

$100/ night

Total

$372,000.00

Meals (186 people for avg. 20 day trip) 3,720 $30/ meal $111,600.00

Roundtrip Airfare Winnipeg/ Thompson (186 person movements thru our airport) 186 $300 per ticket $55,800.00

Grand Total $539,400.00

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

International Company ‘A’ 2007/08 Testing Season

Number of Hotel Room Stays (7 person visits for avg. 45 day trip)

Unit

315

Cost

$100/ night

Total

$31,500.00 Meals (7 people for avg. 45 day trip) 315 Avg. $30/ day $9,450.00

Money spent on acquiring goods and services locally and elsewhere (from Table #1)

$736,328.88

Money Spent at Local Business for Accommodations, Meals and Transportation (from previous slide)

$539,400.00

Grand Total $ 1,316,678.86

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

Preliminary Work for International Company ‘A’ 2007/08 Testing Season

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

International Company ‘A’ 2007/08 Testing Season

Observations of Expenditures

• During 2007/08 testing season, $736,328.88 was spent locally at 65 different businesses (see Table #1).

• 186 one-time and repeat representatives of International Company ‘A’ travelled to Thompson.

• 4,035 hotel room nights.

• The average length of time a company representative stayed in Thompson was approx 20 days.

• Hotels accounted for the largest expense. The range of businesses impacted varied widely.

Table 2 - Winter Weather Testing Expenses Incurred in Thompson by 3 Different Testing Companies.

Expense Int’l Company “B”

07-08 Season

Int’l Company “B” 2008-09 Season

(2 separate trips to Thompson)

Int’l Company “C” 07-08 Season

(3 separate trips to Thompson) Int’l Company“D”

07-08 Season Accommodations

Air Travel Consultant Cell Consultant Fees Entertainment Exclusivity Fee Expediting Services Generator Rental Serpentine track Fuel Insurance GPS Work Meals Misc. Rental Vehicles Souvenirs Building Winter Road Transmission Line Permit Preparation Ice Road Moak Snow Clearing Logging Rd Water Septic Tank Snow Clearing Golf Club Snow Clearing Ice Rd ) Catered Meals Sign Keys Chain & Gate Lock Light Tower Keys Trailer Rental Administration Fee Facility Rental Repairs Total $378,346.15 $68,350.25 $131,775.00 $16,880.00

Grand Total for all Testers $595,351.40

Manufacturer

Money spent in and/or travelling to

Thompson during the 2007/08

Testing SeasonInternational Company

“A”$1,316,678,80

International Company “B” $378,346.15

International Company “C” $131,775.00

International Company “D”

$16,880.00

Grand Total $1,843,679.90

The Economic Impact of Winter Weather Testing in Thompson, MB

Conclusion