Payroll rebates allow expansion at Q1 Labs

FREDERICTON - A software company based in Fredericton and Saint John will hire up to 70 new employees thanks to $560,000 in payroll rebates from the provincial government.

Q1 Labs Canada Inc. plans to hire the new employees for technical and sales positions at its two New Brunswick locations. The company is also planning to expand its research and development centre in Fredericton.

"Q1 Labs Canada Inc. is an international firm with leading-edge products and a growing client base," Finance Minister Greg Byrne said Thursday, speaking on behalf of Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau.

"Its commitment to growth in New Brunswick signals to the world that New Brunswick is the place to be for information and communication technology."

The company already has hired 33 of the new employees it needs.

Q1 Labs is a global provider of security intelligence software. The company's technology monitors networks, giving customers insight into what's occurring with their networks, data centres and applications to better protect their assets.

The company has more than 500 customers around the world, including Liz Claiborne Inc., the State of Colorado and Wayne State University in Michigan.

The tech firm offers various network security management products including QRadar, which integrates log management, network behavior analytics, and security event management.

Q1 Labs Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Q1 Labs Inc., based in Massachusetts.

The company's Fredericton location has 79 employees. The Saint John location has seven.

"Two years ago, we were pleased to create a new, larger research and development centre in Fredericton," Chris Fanjoy, Q1's senior vice-president, engineering, said.

"This new facility allowed us to contribute to our company's rapid growth and develop innovate solutions and services for our customers."

QI Labs is a privately-held firm founded in 2001 by three staff members at the University of New Brunswick's integrated technology services, a department which provides computing and technology facilities, services and assistance to UNB students, faculty and staff. Although UNB is still an investor in the firm, the company was moved to the U.S. where the main investors are located.

Byrne said Q1 Labs Canada Inc. is just the latest technology firm to expand in New Brunswick. Other companies have included Computer Generated Solutions Canada Ltd.; Research In Motion; Agfa Healthcare Inc. and Fredericton Fantastic Network North America.

"Our government is driven to support companies that will, in return, play a significant role in our provincial economic growth strategy," Byrne said.