Tech firm talking big in Harbour Grace

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The site of an historic Harbour Grace business may be getting a new lease on life, according to a spokesperson for the Shree Hari Group, an Indian company that has acquired the building that used to house the Terra Nova Shoes factory and is making big promises about its intentions in the area.

Parth Patel, one of Shree Hari Group’s co-founders, and its director of corporate affairs and communication, offered a public presentation on the company’s plans during a session at the Danny Cleary Community Centre on October 10.

Patel said the company has three branches: Shree Hari Nanotech, SwiftBuild InfraTech, and Harbour Grace AgriTech.

Patel said Shree Hari Nanotech focuses on nanotechnology, specifically the production of nanocellulose, a strong, biodegradable material made from wood pulp. Patel said it is sustainable, stronger than steel by weight, and can be used in many applications including packaging, oil and gas, composites, coating, and the medical field.

Patel said the aim is to replace harmful materials with nanocellulose. The company expects to create at least 40 new jobs by 2026, with an additional 85 by 2028, and some $150 million in revenue once it scales up its operations.

SwiftBuild Infratech, meanwhile, will focus on the off-site manufacturing of modular homes with construction firms in India and Mexico, Patel said. The starting team will consist of 12 members, he added, who will use modular pre-cast building technology to reduce costs and cut construction timelines by an estimated 60 percent. Patel said the Harbour Grace facility will showcase five model homes, and the company hopes to scale up to be able to build over 500 homes annually.

Finally, Harbour Grace AgriTech will manufacture fully automated hydroponic/aeroponic greenhouses. Patel said this method uses 90 percent less water than traditional farming, will allow for year-round crop production, and use zero pesticides.

Patel said Harbour Grace AgriTech will reduce the province’s reliance on imported produce, and will open export markets to the United Kingdom and Europe. The company has applied for 40 acres of Crown Land to develop 12 of greenhouses and plans to employ at least 52 people, he added.

Patel said the Shree Hari Group was attracted to Newfoundland by its supportive business environment and policies that encourage innovation and economic development in key sectors. They also selected the province because of its midway location between North America and Europe, he added. Patel said the company also recognized the Province’s efforts to retain its workforce. They hope to position the province as a hub for clean tech, green infrastructure, and agricultural innovation.

Patel said that by establishing the operations he described, Shree Hari Group will create a sustainable business that leverages the Newfoundland’s geographical advantages and builds local capacity. Shree Hari Group’s presence, he said, will also stimulate the local economy through increased spending at local businesses, contribute to local and provincial tax revenues, and support vital public services.

Patel said the Shree Hari Group will create new, well-paying jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and administration, providing opportunities for local residents to build long-term careers. He added the company plans to establish joint training programs with local educational institutions.

“We believe in working with the local community,” said Patel. “It’s the perfect handshake. We bring in the technology or the concept, and we work with the local firms, not just the people, the local businesses, as well, (and) kind of grow together. I think that would be a solid bond or glue that would make us go farther.”