Mining still the salt of the earth: mining service and suppliers debut at the CMIE.(MINING)

In spite of the recession, Xstrata Nickel job cuts and the planned two to three month shutdown at Vale Inco, mining sector suppliers say they "can't complain."

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The 2009 Canadian Mining and Industrial Exposition (CMIE), held April 22 and 23, wasn't quite like last year's show, said organizer, Darren Ceccarelli, marketing director for DAC Marketing Ltd.

"This year, due to the economy we had a few cancellations," he said, explaining the venue was still full with about 130 exhibitors.

"Last year we had a big tent full of exhibitors outside the Exhibition Centre as well."

Walking the corridors of exhibitors at the show, it was hard to tell the areas mining sector was suffering.

"Can't complain," answered Bernt Ivarsson, president of Lively-based Rocvent Inc. Mine and Tunnel Ventilation.

"There's no secret, the business is there," he said. "Compared to last year things are slower, but there is always a need."

Rocvent is focusing its attention a little more on the United States market these days, "because of the exchange rate, and because the U.S. is a huge market," Ivarsson said, adding another area of focus is the "gold rush in the North."

A small Val Caron-based company that handles "anything and everything to do with anchor points and fall protection," is doing "surprising well" amidst the economic turmoil, said Dan Hillman, of Highwork Ltd., "because we cater to so many sectors, including mining, or Bombardier, and the entertainment industry" Highworks regularly does work for Walt Disney Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

The economic situation is affecting everyone, said Tom Bubalo, sales representative and installation technician for Cover-All Building Systems, forcing almost all sectors to "tighten up."

"In that spin off we are affected," he said. "It's slowed down a little bit, but there is still a lot of interest out there. We've sold a lot of products during the downturn," Bubalo said.

Cover-All manufactures steel frame, fabric covered buildings for all types of industries and in many markets around the world.

"Hopefully we can come out of the downturn solidified in the Sudbury area," Bubalo said.

The April show attracted U.S. suppliers and manufacturers who, in their own struggling markets, are looking to expand north of the border.

"It's definitely slowed down, but we're still selling," said Tanner Tryon, sales engineer for Arizona-based Hose Solutions Inc.

"We do have some business in the Canadian mining sector," Tryon said, "but we are trying to get into new markets in Canada."

The global economic crisis is affecting everyone Barrie-based Belt Conveyor Guarding deals with, said Paul Vandergeest.

"In every area we go, the economy is having major affects," he said.

"It is a lot slower than it has been."

But two markets that are booming, and have grabbed the attention of Belt Conveyor are gold and salt, Vandergeest said.

"Gold is a good thing in a recession, everyone is chasing gold right now," he said. "And for some reason salt is going crazy."

By JAMES NEELEY

Northern Ontario Business

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