Continental Perspective

Adam Busch and Kevin Kilbride

From November 17, 2008-November 20, 2008, sixty Canadian-based companies and technology organizations came to Chicago, IL on business; these companies and organizations came to Chicago to participate in a Team Atlantic Canada trade mission.  The mission was delegated and lead by The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the four Atlantic provincial ministers responsible for trade.  Canadian-based companies and organizations came to Chicago to discuss trade development, to create partnerships, and to enhance their commercialization opportunities.  On November 17th at 11a.m. CST, Adam Busch, Co-Publisher & Owner, Green Space Today interviewed Kevin Kilbride, Vice President, Therma Ray (who was a part of Team Atlantic Canada) to discus American-Canadian trade relations and to specifically gain a broader perspective of sustainability and the green industry for Green Space Today’s readership. 

Adam Busch: Why was Chicago selected to be the host city for the trade mission?

Kevin Kilbride: There are many Canadian companies that do business in Chicago and this market (Chicago) has been fairly good for Canadian companies.  Also, Chicago is strategically located in the center (of the US). 

AB: Has Therma Ray helped Chicago-based buildings attain LEED certification through its application? 

KK: Not yet, but we do business here and are involved in LEED projects and one was just completed…McGill University’s Life Sciences Complex in Montreal. 

AB: How does Therma Ray differentiate from its competitors?

KK: The big difference is that we (Therma Ray) offer an integrated package of radiant products that we can bring together for our customers.  Also, heat can be lost in three of the following ways: radiant; convection; and through evaporation.  In our built environment, we are dealing with radiant heat and when radiant heat can be properly controlled, people will be comfortable.

AB: Why do you feel that Chicagoans and companies, institutions, and other organizations (in and out of Chicago) that reside in frigid environments should take advantage of radiant heating systems?

KK: While we do sell into warmer markets such as Los Angeles, colder markets are a greater market for us.  With the green movement, people in cities like Chicago are more willing to listen to alternatives.

AB: Why is the region of New Brunswick a valuable corporate headquarters for Therma Ray and other Atlantic Canadian companies that are committed to sustainability?

KK: We are based in a city with a population of fifty thousand.  New Brunswick is very rural and our communities have been forced to be environmentally conscious because we personally deal with resources.  New Brunswick has the highest level of engineering companies per capita and eco-tourism is larger compared to other regions.  We also have convenient transportation to ports and inland. 

AB: The green industry continues to blossom in America.  How is the green movement evolving in Canada and how is sustainable integration positively affecting Canadians?

KK: Like Americans, Canadians are becoming more environmentally conscious.  The U.S imports more oil from Canada than from Saudi Arabia so we are conscious about oil and gas prices just as the US is. Recycling programs and our air quality have been largely improved.  In Canada, like the U.S., cities are individually implementing sustainable initiatives.  In North America, we have been spoiled and have had access to cheap energy for some time.  In Europe, especially after WWII, countries had to find alternative ways of generating energy.

AB: Clearly, some American based cities and regions are greener than others.  In Canada, what regions and (or) cities are relatively more sustainable?

KK: Vancouver is Canada’s San Francisco and has traditionally been more sustainable.  Different regions excel in specific sustainable programs than others. 

AB: How can America & Canada work together more efficiently to promote the growth of green industry in North America and to improve our environment on a continental level?

KK: Our economies are intertwined.  We are each others greatest trading partner.  Communication needs to improve for prevention and conservation.  We need to collaborate to ensure that our initiatives are working together.