AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster Now Shortlisted

MONTREAL, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, announced today that nine applicants have been shortlisted in the second phase of the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. Among them, the AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster, co-chaired by Louis Roy, President of OPTEL GROUP and by  Hélène Desmarais,  Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre d'Entreprises et d'Innovation de Montréal (CEIM) and Chairperson of Board of HEC Montréal, was selected for the final phase of the initiative.

"Integrating artificial intelligence into supply chain management will enable Canadian companies to increase their competitive advantage. The implementation of intelligent, ethical and responsible supply chains will help create numerous quality jobs while ensuring sustainable growth for our businesses," states Louis Roy.

"We are very pleased that our project was selected for the final stage as supply chains have a direct impact on Canada's economic growth and prosperity. This project mobilizes the business community as it will foster collaboration between companies of all sizes and connects them with academic and research institutions to take innovation further, faster," adds Hélène Desmarais.

The consortium on intelligent supply chains is a markedly industrial initiative which will impact all economic sectors and prominently the retail & consumer goods, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. To date, over 60 Canadian companies have committed to investing $420 million in collaborative innovation projects. The Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) and the University of Waterloo, as well as other world-renowned Canadian universities, will assist the consortium with their research capabilities in artificial intelligence and related digital technologies.

"The University of Waterloo is honored to be working with industry partners and IVADO on this important project to rapidly advance connectivity and intelligence for our supply chains. The initiative is based in Montreal and focused mainly in Quebec and Ontario, yet it is an inclusive project that will have a positive impact on the entire country and will be highly beneficial to the Canadian economy," added Pearl Sullivan, Dean of Engineering, University of Waterloo.

The industrial consortia that qualify will access an overall $950 million funding as part of the Federal government's flagship Supercluster initiative. Complete applications must be submitted by the preselected consortia before November 24, and the government intends to announce up to five finalists in early 2018.

SOURCE OPTEL GROUP

For further information: Contacts for Interview Requests: For Hélène Desmarais: Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CEIM Chairperson of Board, HEC Montréal, Co-Chair, AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster; For Louis Roy, President, OPTEL GROUP, Co-Chair, AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster; Érica Boisvert, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, OPTEL, Cell.: 418 456-2704, [e-mail]; For Pearl Sullivan: Dean of Engineering, University Waterloo; Beth Cotter, Associate Director, Marketing and Communications, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Tel.: [phone] x37778, Cell.: 226 220-5405, [e-mail]; Alain Dudoit, Executive Director, AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster, Cell.: 514 582-7454, [e-mail]