Granijem: Increasing its production capacity to better meet demand

The Government of Canada awards over $200,000 in funding to this Baie-Comeau company

BAIE-COMEAU, QC, July 17, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

A driving force of the economy, innovation is key to success because it generates growth that benefits both businesses and communities. This is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovative Canadian businesses, such as Granijem, to enable them to grow.

Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, announced today that Granijem would receive a $214,700 repayable contribution to help the business increase its production capacity, raise its level of technology and enhance its competitiveness.

Granijem specializes in the production of customized decorative granite products, including kitchen counters, shower wall panels, grave markers, flagstone paving and siding for major institutional and commercial construction projects.

The company began making granite counters, grave markers and accessories in 1985. In response to growing demand, it opened its first commercial plant in 1988. Granijem has also been operating its own quarries since 2002. Its products were initially sold to residential clients and to larger natural stone producers, such as Polycor Inc. Today, Granijem is a rapidly expanding business.

Because of this growth, the saws currently used to cut the granite are no longer sufficient for production requirements. An additional granite-cutting saw with improved automation functions was therefore needed to cut larger and more complex parts.

Quotes

"I am pleased with the Government of Canada's financial support for Baie-Comeau company Granijem, which has made a name for itself because of its vitality, boldness and sense of innovation. This contribution will allow the company to pursue its development and generate benefits for the entire community."

Stéphane Lauzon, MP for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"In keeping with our commitment to foster the growth of the Canadian economy, the Government of Canada has made it its goal to better support businesses that invest in productivity enhancement in order to ensure their growth and that of the Canadian economy."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"CED's funding will allow us to equip ourselves with the tools we need to better meet the demands of our ever-growing clientele. Additionally, it will enable us to take a further step forward in our efforts to make the vision we developed a few years ago a reality."

Julie Bérubé, Co-owner, Granijem

Quick facts

• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• The year 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses.
• To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2018–2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, 514-283-7443, [email protected]