Yarmouth making ambulances for the King of Jordan?
It may surprise many that Tri-Star Industries, founded by Keith Condon in 1973, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia have sold their customized ambulances to 46 foreign companies. Tri-Star has also supplied all the ambulances in Nova Scotia under a lease arrangement. The company has also sold ambulances to seven other provinces, just recently signing an agreement with Newfoundland & Labrador. Keith sold his interest in his company ten years ago to his senior management team, but remains active in the company in business development, now responsible for Central and South America with an office in Panama. During his career, he learned how to be able to sell in foreign countries, in the process meeting the royal family in Monaco, the King of Jordan, Saddam Hussein and even Fidel Castro. The secret to the long running success of the company is its ability to customize the vehicles built for their clients, which can cost up to $275,000 each. The company employs 85-90 people at its 55,000 sq ft facility, making it the largest private sector employer in the town. The company has been increasing the use of automation in its production processes to remain competitive. Tri-Star Industries is yet another Atlantic Canadian example of the region's ability to manufacture and compete in global markets, even from smaller rural communities.
