Anchor Firms and Supply Chains in BC

PacifiCan requires the services of a Contractor with expertise on innovation, supply chains and the economic development landscape of the Pacific Northwest (i.e., B.C., Washington, Oregon) to deliver a research report. PacifiCan seeks to better understand the role of anchor firms in facilitating economic development in B.C. This research will inform the Agency on supporting B.C. businesses to innovate, scale-up and remain competitive, while growing the provincial economy. The Contractor must conduct analyses using both quantitative and qualitative data. Key research questions:

Development and/or presence of anchor firms in B.C. • To what extent is the presence of anchor firms a necessary condition for the growth, competitiveness and sustainability of B.C.’s small and medium-sized firms? What role do anchor firms play in the economic development of a region? What role do anchor firms play in building industry clusters? • What factors support or hinder the development and sustainability of home-grown anchor firms in B.C.? • What conditions are necessary to attract large Canadian or international companies to B.C.? How can regions outside of the Lower Mainland attract anchor firms to smaller communities? • What is the potential for B.C. to attract talent from foreign anchor firms to establish new businesses in the province?

Supply chain integration • What role do anchor firms play in existing levels of supply chain integration in the Pacific Northwest (in particular in life sciences, aerospace, high tech, tourism, clean technology, energy)? How can B.C. firms integrate into the supply chains of foreign anchor firms? • What is the current state of supply chain integration in the Pacific Northwest? Which industries are currently benefitting from supply chain integration and where is there potential for greater integration? • What are the potential impacts of deeper integration in the Pacific Northwest to B.C.’s economy, businesses and industries?