Financial assistance to two Montérégie businesses for their innovation and export projects

Quebec and Ottawa award $3.2M to two Montérégie businesses to support their innovation and export projects

SAINT-BRUNO-DE-MONTARVILLE, QC, June 22, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The governments of Quebec and Canada have granted a total of $3.2M in financial assistance to Tecnar Automation, in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, and Labplas, in Sainte-Julie, so that they can continue to innovate and develop foreign markets. The projects to be carried out by these two Montérégie enterprises represent total investments of $4.85M.

Lucie Charlebois, Member for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, and Michel Picard, Member of Parliament for Montarville, made the announcement today on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).

Tecnar Automation plans to set up technology showcases in Asia and Europe to promote its products. To support this $1.55M project, the ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation (MESI) has awarded a non-repayable contribution of $350,000 and an interest-free loan of $100,000 through the Créativité Québec program, and CED has granted a repayable contribution of $200,000 through its Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP).

The Labplas investment project, which will create some 20 jobs, involves the acquisition and creation of innovative production equipment linked to artificial intelligence. The business will also be implementing international commercialization activities, including smart marketing, to more effectively provide for its continued expansion in the 56 countries in which its products are distributed. To support this $3.3M project, MESI will be awarding a $900,000 interest-free loan through its ESSOR program, Investissement Québec has provided a $900,000 loan from its own funds and CED has granted a $750,000 repayable contribution through the QEDP.

Quotes:

"With its businesses, industrial parks and research centres, Montérégie plays a key role in Quebec's industrial development. By guiding our entrepreneurs in their innovative projects and fostering their commercialization beyond our borders, Quebec is making a greater name for itself on the world stage. Our government is proud to support these two SMEs that want to be more competitive in a globalized market."

Lucie Charlebois, Member for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region

"By innovating and developing new markets, businesses often increase their market share. While this is true, they often do a lot more than that: they improve the quality of the jobs they create, they push the boundaries of their respective industries and they grow our economy. I am very pleased about CED's financial support for these two businesses, whose boldness is driving us all forward."

Michel Picard, Member of Parliament for Montarville  

 "While exporting involves the sale of goods and services, it also involves the promotion of Quebec know-how and talent. Our economic vision for Quebec includes the promotion of export projects. This is one of the objectives of Quebec's 2016–2020 export strategy, which is helping our businesses make their mark in the highly competitive global marketplace. There is no doubt that Tecnar Automation and Labplas will continue to stand out internationally with their innovative products."

Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

 "In adopting the Innovation and Skills Plan, the Government of Canada has implemented an ambitious approach to support innovative Canadian businesses like Tecnar Automation and Labplas, which find new ways of generating value and want to expand to new markets. This is a firm commitment to create sustainable jobs and wealth for the community."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED

"At Investissement Québec, we make it a priority to encourage our entrepreneurs to expand their boundaries to achieve success. That is why we took part in this project by Labplas, an innovative manufacturer that has already made a name for itself. This project clearly shows a transition to Industry 4.0, a key success factor in our economy."

Pierre Gabriel Côté, Chief Executive Office, Investissement Québec

"After nearly 30 years of hard work in developing four product families with assistance from the National Research Council Canada, Tecnar is now entering a maturation and international market development phase in which its positioning as innovative business will change to that of partner in its clients' productivity. To carry out this mission, everything needs to be rethought to ensure the best match between market needs and the experience provided by the company's products, from brand image to technical documentation. To speed up the commercial aspect of the metamorphosis we plan to undergo in the next five years, we are currently rolling out an ambitious marketing strategy based on the technology showcase concept. We could not have done this without support from the two levels of government."

Alexandre Nadeau, Director General, Tecnar

"Labplas has worked for more than 30 years in a highly competitive industry that serves very specific analysis markets. This three-year investment plan will help it remain a leading authority in over 50 countries and continue to aim even higher, proudly representing Quebec and Canada."

Danielle Lafond, President, Labplas

Highlights:

• Tecnar Automation designs and develops cutting-edge sensors for managing and monitoring industrial processes, mainly in the steel and transportation sectors. The company has four highly specialized product lines: automated high-pressure pipe spool welding, cold and thermal spraying sensors, non-contact ultrasonic sensors and LIBS spectrometers.
• Labplas manufactures samples that meet very specific analysis, safety and composition requirements in the agri-food, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, veterinary and environmental industries.
• The goals of the Créativité Québec program (website in French only) are to nurture a culture of innovation; foster partnerships between universities, research centres and businesses; and support enterprises in developing new products and processes and improving existing ones.
• The ESSOR program (website in French only) supports investment projects in Quebec by Quebec or international companies to enhance competitiveness and productivity, job creation and sustainable development.
• The Stratégie québécoise de l'exportation 2016-2020 (website in French only) supports growth in goods and services exports by Quebec businesses; $536.8M has been allocated over four years to implement the strategy.
• For more information on CED and its priorities, consult the 2018–19 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

For further information: Sources: Alexandra Régis, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, 418-266-7181; Kim Desert, Deputy Press Secretary, Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, 418-691-5650; Information: Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Officer, Communications Directorate, Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, 418-691-5698, extension 4868, 418-559-0710; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, 514-283-7443, [email protected]; Isabelle Fontaine, Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs, Investissement Québec, 514-876-9359