Government of Canada: Welcomes Kongsberg

Source Sun Medi
  Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best applaud as London West MP Ed Holder presents a welcome mat to president of Kongsberg Protech Systems Egil Haugsdal during a press conference announcing that Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is opening a facility in London.

"Our government''s number one priority is growth in jobs," said Harper. "Kongsberg brings . . . knowledge intensive jobs on which the economy of the future will be built."
Kongsberg Defence Corporate will employ about 30 people when it opens in the first quarter of 2011 and that will ramp up to abut 100 people, supplying military contractors, including General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, with support systems for weapon turrets found on its armoured vehicles.
Its local suppliers will employ another 500 workers. It plans on leasing a 50,000-square-foot space near London International Airport.
"There is serious, worldwide competition to attract companies like Kongsberg," said Harper.
The Norwegian firm did not receive any federal or provincial incentives to locate here.
Roald Theisen, vice-president business development for Kongsberg, said the company was surprised to see Harper in London for the announcement.
"I feel extremely honoured. To be frank I was surprised the Prime Minister was coming. We are not used to getting the attention at the executive office of most countries where we are," said Theisen.