Surrey helps bridge the gap between North America and the Indo-Pacific
As the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) undergoes rapid economic growth, multinational firms are increasingly seeking new locations to diversify their manufacturing and distribution bases and expand into new markets. Recognizing this, the Canadian government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, introduced in 2022, underscores the importance of strengthening trade relations with key IPR nations, including China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
For businesses in the IPR looking to expand, Surrey, British Columbia, stands out as an excellent choice that allows you to leverage existing networks while diversifying supply chains and growing your customer base. For business owners already in Surrey, this bilateral effort presents an opportunity to meet expanding international demand for cutting-edge solutions in clean technology, health technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Let’s explore some reasons why businesses from the IPR choose Surrey, BC as part of their North American operations.
A Smart Play to Risk-Proof Your North American Expansion
Canada is renowned for its political and economic stability. It offers 15 free trade agreements with 51 countries, competitive tax rates, favorable immigration policies, and tax credits and incentives for capital asset acquisitions and large innovation projects. These factors make Canada an attractive base for savvy companies. Among its many vibrant cities, Surrey in British Columbia stands out as an exceptional location for business expansion, especially for those with ties to the IPR.
Located on Canada's Pacific West Coast, Surrey boasts modern infrastructure, robust supply chains, prestigious universities, and a growing high-tech ecosystem spanning multiple sectors. Surrey offers the largest supply of industrial land in our region, competitive business tax rates, and affordable land costs. Additionally, the city’s power grid is 98% renewable, with some of the most competitive energy rates in North America.
Expanding your business in Surrey means minimizing exposure to geopolitical market disruptions, efficient port access to the Indo-pacific, accessing a skilled talent pool and supportive ecosystem for new technology and advanced manufacturing, and securing the necessary land for growth.
Surrey: Your Launch Pad to Conquer North America
Did you know that transpacific freight to Surrey from China is up to two days faster than shipping to Los Angeles? Bolstering the benefits of our location, Surrey’s industrial areas are all within an hour of three international deep-sea ports, three international airports, rail networks that connect eastward to major markets like Chicago and New York, and two land crossings along the border with the United States connected to major trucking routes along the west coast. Minimize your exposure to shipping delays and choose Surrey.
Haitima Technologies, a leading manufacturer of industrial valves and fittings from China and Taiwan, established a presence in Surrey over 25 years ago. Their local warehouse and distribution center leverage our transportation networks and efficient import access to their factories throughout the IPR to offer efficient service for their customers across the continent. To this date, Surrey remains their sole North American location.
Founded in Osaka, Japan over a century ago, Sumitomo Drive Technologies has become a global leader in power transmission and controls. Sumitomo chose Surrey as an expansion location in 2021, recognizing its strategic benefits. With 128 locations across 66 countries, Sumitomo's Surrey assembly and service center is crucial to their regional supply chain, thanks to the city's proximity to the US border and major ports. Approximately 40% of their clients are in the US, underscoring the importance of Surrey’s proximity to these markets to their operations.
No More Double Dipping: Cutting Shipping Costs with Surrey
Considering the comparatively lower costs for labor and ocean freight of decades past, it’s not uncommon for organizations to operate the legacy logistics infrastructure they’ve already invested in. However, for many IPR firms looking to sell in North America, this often means shipping inputs across the Pacific from Canada, manufacturing those goods in the IPR, and then shipping those goods back to their end markets in North America. As highlighted by the pandemic-related global supply chain disruptions, this two-trip process can be both costly and unpredictable.
CTK Bio, another Surrey enterprise with roots in the IPR, is on a mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable materials. Currently, the only facilities capable of manufacturing prototypes from their proprietary 100% biodegradable resins are in Korea, putting them in this potentially cost-prohibitive and timely two-trip situation. Fortunately, part of CTK Bio’s plan is to expand their Surrey footprint and include more advanced manufacturing capabilities locally, which will provide tremendous cost advantages as they bring more products to markets in the long run.
Modernizing Manufacturing: Surrey's High-Tech Hubs
There are a lot of benefits to adopting new technologies that modernize your manufacturing. Regardless of your industry, there are solutions available that can improve quality and consistency of your products, increase output, reduce waste, or optimize your supply chain. While robotics and AI assisted equipment enable you to produce a lot more per employee, the skills and experience needed by these employees is often more specialized. Fortunately, Surrey manufacturers benefit from the highly skilled talent trained in the local campuses of our prestigious universities. With programs like mechatronics and robotics, many enterprises that have chosen Surrey do so with the intent to invest in Industry 4.0 technologies that revolutionize their businesses.
When envisioning state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and operational efficiency, kitchen cabinets may not be the first product that comes to mind. However, Sunrise Kitchens is changing that perception. Their 40-year journey has been defined by continuous improvement and reinvestment. In recent years, they’ve revolutionized their production by adopting automated CNC machining, advanced production lines, and sophisticated paint equipment. This commitment has led to a 50% increase in capacity, delivering higher quality and consistency, and earning a stellar reputation among their commercial development customers.
While their competitors rely on importing finished products manufactured abroad, Sunrise Kitchens' decision to remain and invest in Surrey has been pivotal to their success. By manufacturing close to their market, they can swiftly respond to customer requests and adapt to changes, eliminating the lengthy lead times and risks associated with trans-Pacific shipping. Surrey’s proximity to US mills ensures a reliable supply of materials, further enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, 90% of their staff live in Surrey, fostering a strong community connection and commitment.
The growth of the Surrey region has mirrored Sunrise’s own expansion, providing the perfect environment for scaling their operations. The company collaborates with Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s mechatronics program, tapping into fresh talent and driving innovation. Provincial government training grants have also enabled Sunrise to upskill their employees, keeping them at the forefront of industry advancements. The shift to automation has created more meaningful work for employees and nearly eliminated workplace injuries, reflecting their dedication to a safe and dynamic work environment.
Surrey, British Columbia, stands out as a prime location for investment, innovation, and growth. Sunrise Kitchens exemplifies how local investment, advanced technology, and community collaboration can drive success. This makes Surrey an ideal destination for foreign direct investment, highlighting its potential as a hub for modern industry and economic development.
Scaling Up in Surrey: Unlocking the Power of a Strategic Location
People often consider Canada a small market, especially when comparing the country’s population to a state like California. However, being a big player in a smaller market offers distinct advantages. CEOs in the know understand the tangible benefits that Surrey offers. With a mix of competitively priced industrial land, modern infrastructure, and a rapidly growing population providing a steady supply of skilled labor and new customers, Surrey is an ideal place for businesses to start small and scale up.
Surrey has a long history of companies successfully leveraging these advantages. For example, BC Greenhouse Builders and Garaventa Lifts both outgrew their initial locations and now occupy large, purpose-built facilities in the modern Campbell Heights industrial park. Distributors have also thrived; NRI 3PL expanded their Northwest operations with one location in Surrey and now operates five locations close to the US border, thanks to the city’s strategic positioning.
Got Global Ambitions? Surrey is Your Gateway
Notable entities like Amazon, McKesson, and Skechers have made significant investments in recent years as well. In 2022, Walmart also chose Surrey to build their most technologically advanced facility in Canada, which will serve as the future hub for their electric fleet. This investment allowed Walmart to eliminate dependence on long-haul trucking from distribution hubs in Alberta and can now support 45 Walmart Stores from this hub.
Thinking of Cross-Border Expansion? Surrey is Your Bridge.
Surrey is the only city in Western Canada with two land border crossings on the US border, connected to major trucking routes that facilitate swift access to resources and markets. With a trucker’s approximate range of 550 miles per day, Surrey connects businesses to over 22 million potential customers within a day’s travel and more than 70 million within two days. The companies that realize this opportunity are thriving in Surrey.
CanCorr is one such Canadian success story. CanCorr, after 22 years of steady growth, outgrew its initial location in Vancouver and moved to Surrey in 2023, attracted by the proximity to the border and modern amenities in Campbell Heights. Operating the most high-tech and efficient corrugator in Canada, CanCorr produces 1.5 billion square feet of packaging material annually, which is 100% renewable, 100% biodegradable, and 90% made from recycled paper. Competing in an industry dominated by a few major US players, CanCorr leverages modern technology to offer competitive pricing and influence the shift towards greener products. With inputs sourced from long standing mills in Washington State, CanCorr has added over 100 new jobs to Surrey’s economy and plans further expansion to produce more finished goods.
Another prime example is AI Industries, the largest custom steel fabricator in British Columbia. For over 40 years, AI Industries has thrived in Surrey by embracing innovation and state-of-the-art technology. As one of the most advanced fabricators in Canada, their investments in automation and structural steel management software have allowed continuous output expansion without increasing their physical footprint. Close to US steel suppliers, AI Industries serves US customers in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii, which make up about 70% of their customer base. Over the last 20 years, AI Industries has grown from 25 to over 100 employees, showcasing the substantial benefits of being in Surrey.
Surrey’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and supportive business environment make it an attractive destination for investment, innovation, and growth. From small startups to major multinationals, companies in Surrey enjoy the unique advantages that drive their success and enable them to scale up effectively.
Need Help Making the Right Move? Our Team Stands Ready.
Surrey, British Columbia, is more than just a city; it’s a thriving business ecosystem offering unparalleled opportunities for companies looking to expand in North America. Surrey's unique location, land availability, and modern infrastructure make it a prime destination for foreign direct investment, especially from the Indo-Pacific Region.
Whether it’s your first location or your next, choosing a city that will support your vision for expanding in North America is a complicated calculation. Thankfully, the Invest Surrey team is here to help. Here are just a few considerations that have helped enterprises from the IPR and around the world:
- Strategic Location: Surrey is the only city in Western Canada with two land border crossings on the border with the US, connected to major trucking routes that facilitate swift access to resources and markets.
- Port Access to the IPR: Whether you rely on international supply chains, or you’re reaching customers abroad, a Surrey location will shave days off transpacific shipping, making you more agile and reducing costs.
- Large Market Access: Using an approximate trucking range of 550 miles per day, Surrey connects businesses to over 22 million potential customers within a day’s travel and more than 70 million people within two days.
- Modern Infrastructure: Surrey boasts modern infrastructure, robust supply chains, prestigious universities, and a growing high-tech ecosystem.
- Competitive Costs: Surrey offers competitively priced industrial land, competitive business tax rates, and affordable land costs.
- Renewable Energy: The city’s power grid is 98% renewable with some of the most competitive energy rates in North America. More sustainable operations are not only marketable to your customers but may also help you hedge against potential climate action-related costs in the future.
- Skilled Workforce: Surrey’s growing population provides a steady supply of skilled labor and new customers, with many local universities offering key programs in mechatronics and robotics.
- Economic Stability: Canada’s political and economic stability, competitive tax rates, favorable immigration policies, and tax credits for capital asset acquisitions and innovation projects make it an attractive base for companies.
- Proximity to US Markets: Close to both US suppliers and customers, Surrey businesses minimize exposure to geopolitical market disruptions.
- Supportive Ecosystem: Businesses in Surrey benefit from a supportive ecosystem for new technology and advanced manufacturing, including government training grants and collaboration with local universities.
Surrey’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and supportive business environment make it an attractive destination for investment, innovation, and growth. From small startups to major multinationals, companies in Surrey enjoy unique advantages that drive their success and enable them to scale up effectively. For businesses looking to expand into North America, Surrey, BC, stands out as the optimal gateway. If you’re considering your next expansion, our team at Invest Surrey is here to help.