From the garage to the world

Ron Miller could see the writing on the wall 24 years ago while working as a mechanical technologist for Jarvis Clark, in North Bay.

The mining equipment manufacturer was getting ready to leave the city, and rather than go with it Miller decided to make machinery on his own.

Working out of a small downtown office, and then in his garage on Bryan Road, Miller made his first deal with Lac Minerals (now the Barrick Gold Corporation), leasing the company a piece of his equipment.

“I went away moose hunting and while I was gone my wife took two more orders from Lac, and that’s how I got started,” Miller said Wednesday, after the National Research Council of Canada recognized Miller Technology Inc. as a national role model for Canadian innovation.

Also opened international mines
Now Miller sells its equipment worldwide, and its customized underground mining vehicles are used in mines in Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Australia, and Canada and the United States.

The company was able to move into the world market, Ron Miller said, because the mining companies using their equipment in Canada and the United States have also opened international mines.

“What’s unique about Miller is that they’ve had an impact on the local economy, they’ve created wealth for all of us by new jobs and revenues, and of course their taxes coming back don’t hurt either,” said Tony Rahilly, director of the Ontario region of NRC’s International Research Assistance Program.

“And they have also managed to do it as a small company yet make their sales on an international basis, while taking a highly innovative approach to developing their business.”

Take the unknown out
Miller Technology Inc. now employs 38 to 40 people, has two plants and annual sales of $8 million, said Miller’s son Kent. He and his brother Chad, both pictured above, handle the day to day operations of the company.

Kent Miller said the company has been able to tap into IRAP funding “to take the unknown out of the challenges of building specialized pieces of equipment.”

He adds the keys to the company’s success has been its ability to sit down with its customers “and cater to their individual needs,” as well as input and ideas it receives from employees.

“We can channel ideas,” Miller said, “but they’re the ones who have them.”

To find out more about Miller Technology Inc. click here.
To read what the NRC has to say about the company click here.