DESCH began as a German owner-operated family company more than 100 years ago and is now a global company specializing in advanced mechanical and plant engineering, serving the oil and gas, construction, mining, and marine industries. When looking to expand into North America, DESCH found a home in Waterloo, Canada.

Waterloo benefits from having three of Canada’s most highly-regarded post-secondary institutions – the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College. For tech companies looking to grow, these schools are an incredible resource with a multitude of tech-specific programs.

Last week, Waterloo-based cybersecurity firm eSentire announced a new $47 million investment to supercharge research and development and a relocation within the community to accommodate its rapid expansion.

This is an era of unprecedented uncertainty for businesses that depend on global market access to sell their products. The world’s two biggest economies – the United States of America and China – are in the midst of a trade war. The world’s fifth largest economy – the United Kingdom – is coming perilously close to exiting the European Union without a trade deal, which will have significant...