Despite economic, immigration problems, Sask. business finding success

Ahead of the upcoming election, the government was touting its growth and success in the province.

The Government of Saskatchewan says it has already exceeded a number of the goals it set out in its 2019 growth plan.

Despite economic and immigration challenges, businesses like Dutch Industries Ltd. in Pilot Butte, are finding success.

Jason Steinley, VP of sales and marketing at Dutch Industries Ltd., said the company has done some work with Saskatchewan ministers on trade and export development.

“All of these types of things help get Saskatchewan known on a world stage,” he said. “If you look at all the different manufacturing that happens within this province, we’re seen as a bit of a beacon of technology and a new way to do things, and Dutch is proud to be a part of that.”

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The total value of Saskatchewan’s exports reached $49.3 billion last year, according to the government. This surpassed the growth plan’s 2030 target of $46 biliion six years ahead of schedule.

Dutch Industries has over 70 years of experience helping farmers not only in Saskatchewan but around the world with the newest developments in technologically advanced equipment.

“Getting on farms, listening to producers, understanding where their struggles are and trying to find innovations that will help alleviate that (is the goal),” he said.

“We create more profitability on their farms, which creates more profitability for our province.”

The company has seen some major growth and changes over the years. Over 10 years ago, it only had around 70 employees, and at its peak, it had 155.

“We’ve kind of set up our facilities to allow us the ability to expand long term,” Steinley said.

The company has also taken advantage of different government programs for hiring.

“We have a very large Filipino contingency working for us at Dutch here, and a really nice little tight knit group that’s really helped us out over the years,” he said.

“We’ve taken advantage of a handful of different of Saskatchewan government programs through the Ministry of Trade and Export, and through Sask Trade and Export as well, which has helped us in in our development of of our markets overseas and growth over there as well.”

Dutch Industries is currently working on a new expansion.

“We’re working on 14,000 square foot expansion here right now,” he said. “This will turn into a small goods manufacturing facility where we’re going to have raw goods come in on the far end, and then finished goods come out the other end.”

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