A chemical equation for growth
Firebird Technologies Inc. hopes to double production this year
Firebird Technologies Inc. will grow this year under the guidance of Don Freschi, Bill Micklethwaite and Paul McKay. —Photo by Tanya Laing Gahr
According to Paul McKay, the production, marketing and sales manager for Firebird Technologies Inc. in Trail, indium antimonide (InSb) semiconductor technology is at the same stage that silicon technology was at in the late ’60s. And as the technology develops further, the operation is poised to lead the way. Firebird began after the dissolution of Cominco Electronic Materials Group (itself a spinoff division of the then Cominco smelter) in 1991. When the parent company made the move to Washington, Bill Micklethwaite and two other partners took on the challenge of continuing the work in Trail. The company has now expanded to fill a large warehouse space and employ 17 people. Firebird specializes in pure metals such as indium and antimony, which it acquires from the Teck smelter and other sources. The metal Firebird purchases is already very high grade, but the company then re-refines it to reach a higher level of purity—up to 99.9999999 per cent purity—using a patented technology. While there is a market for the refined metals, Firebird fuses the metals chemically to create InSb crystals, a semiconductor material that is used in infrared detectors, thermal-imaging cameras, homing missile guidance systems and astronomy. It’s obviously a niche market: only three companies in the world specialize in this particular technology—two of them being spinoff businesses from the original Cominco electronics division. “We can produce up to four-inch wafers,” said McKay, describing how the InSb crystals are formed, cut, shaped and polished at Firebird’s facilities. “Back in the ’60s, that’s where silicon was, and now silicon is at 12-inch-plus diameter—very automated, huge quantities…and they can now produce a wafer very inexpensively.” h3. Adding up the positives The rise of silicon gave birth to one of the most influential and specialized industries in California—Silicon Valley. Will Trail eventually become known by a more cumbersome moniker—Indium Antimonide Valley? McKay said there are pros and cons to operating in the municipality. “Travelling is a little bit more difficult coming in and out of here,” he said. “Recruiting can be more difficult if you’re not in a centre like Calgary or Vancouver. But we’re not impacted by product going out the door because we ship globally and…we find it an advantage being close to Teck. There are a lot of talented people up there and we’ve been fortunate being able to tap into that expertise.” Beyond the economic advantages—Trail boasts some of the lowest business taxes in B.C.—McKay said the lifestyle opportunities of the Greater Trail area are priceless benefits. McKay said Firebird Technologies is looking at expanding its existing resources to double production of the InSb wafers in the next year. As well, the company will be moving into different products in the near future, including a product line whose sole focus is alternate energy conductors. “We’re looking at supplying one of the main ingredients of solar panels that are made from cadmium and tellurium,” said McKay. “Silicon solar has been the original and on the forefront, but there are other competing technologies that are looking to make it higher efficiency and less cost.” CadTel—cadmium and telluride—is one of the lowest cost-per-watt solar conductors, and in order to create the panels, the cadmium must be a specific form and purity—and Firebird already has the technology. “We’re taking our expertise in the material’s refinement and we’re taking that to look at this new market,” said McKay. “The more products we can offer, the more people we can bring in and the more it protects us from market forces.”
Key Trail contacts
Trail, BC
Build your own future
Community Futures Development Corporation of Greater Trail is a community driven organization consisting of a team of business savvy individuals and volunteer board of directors. We work with local community partners and budding entrepreneurs to ensure Greater Trail will be competitive in the Global economy. Community Futures fosters local entrepreneurs through all phases of business from the pre-startup phase to the expansion of existing business. We offer entrepreneurial programs and training, business counseling, loan programs and a business library of resource material to people interested in expanding or starting a business. We also promote, co-ordinate and implement a wide variety of community economic development initiatives within the region.
Trail, BC
A four-season destination
Nestled in the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, Trail is a four-season destination, offering an abundance of recreational activities--from golfing to skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and hiking--as well as first-class recreational facilities.
For residents and visitors alike, Trail offers outstanding opportunities for living life well and to the fullest.
Castlegar, BC
Save power, reap rewards
FortisBC is committed to providing safe, reliable electrical service at the lowest reasonable cost. The company serves approximately 110,000 customers directly in communities throughout south central British Columbia, including Kelowna, Osoyoos, Trail, Castlegar, Princeton and Rossland—and approximately 47,500 customers through the wholesale supply of power to municipal distributors in the communities of Summerland, Penticton, Kelowna, Grand Forks and Nelson.
FortisBC provides services such as:
• Generating and distributing electricity to homes and businesses in the southern interior of British Columbia
• 24-hour outage repair and emergency response
• Building, maintaining and upgrading power lines and facilities
• Installing and reading meters
• Providing electrical safety education in the community
Castlegar, BC
A legacy for the people
Created by the people, for the people, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) serves the residents of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin. Working closely with people who live in the Basin, CBT assists communities in addressing their needs by: providing resources and funding; focusing on local priorities and issues; bringing people together around key issues; providing useful, credible, accessible information; encouraging collaboration and partnerships; and seeking ongoing input from Basin residents. CBT provides funding and grants through a variety of programs including Arts, Culture and Heritage, Business Advocacy, Environment, Scholarships and Community Development. In addition, CBT supports regional initiatives such as Climate Change Adaptation, Water Stewardship, Literacy, Youth Engagement, and Land Conservation.
Trail, BC
Phone: (250) 368-3103
Selkirk Security Services
Richmond, BC
PHONE: 1-800-663-2872
Trail, BC
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Trail, BC
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Trail, BC
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Trail, BC
Vital statistics
- Population :: 7,575
- Number of businesses :: 500
- Supporting industries :: Mining (smelting and refining), recreation, services, tourism
Vital contacts
- City of Trail :: www.trail.ca
- Mayor :: Dieter Bogs
- Trail and District Chamber of Commerce :: www.trailchamber.com
- Manager :: Naomi McKimmie
- Phone :: (250) 368-3144
Biz Blog :: Keith Powell
A regular report on newsworthy business developments in the Kootenays.
Kootenay Insights :: Tanya Laing Gahr
An inside look at the initiatives and developments that help shape Kootenay communities.
At Work :: Sandra Albers
One-on-one with some of the Kootenay’s business leaders.
Biz Edge :: Danielle Cameron
The faces behind Kootenay businesses.
