SASKATOON, Sask. — Years after the 1998 Team Canada trade mission and the signature of a $200,000 contract in Mexico, Massload Technologies is still forging ahead in that region of the world.

That original contract has since turned into revenues in excess of
$1 million and the Saskatoon-based manufacturer of electronic loadcells and weighing systems is now tapping into the whole South American continent, including Bolivia and Colombia.

“These markets represent a really big potential for us. We are very competitive out there,” says company president Bill Elliott.

Massload manufactures and exports a wide range of products, such as truck and animal scales, as well as technology allowing for wireless weighing, bulkweighers and loadcells.

During the trade mission the firm received help from the Trade section of the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. This included: giving pointers on how to approach the different business communities; providing contact information; helping with legal matters; and arranging meetings with the right people from the start.

“The context of the trade mission helped in establishing the necessary confidence for team-building and synergy,” says Elliott. “However you need to do your homework beforehand, such as contacting people and the Embassy. There is just not enough time during the mission to build everything up from scratch.”

To learn more about Massload, surf to www.massload.com.