Les Produits Gilbert is modernizing its facilities and enhancing its productivity

 Investment project worth nearly $5 million in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region

ROBERVAL, QC, April 26, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) 

The governments of Canada and Quebec and Investissement Québec are awarding a total of $3,976,000 to Les Produits Gilbert to support an investment project valued at almost $5 million. The project involves the acquisition of state‑of-the-art digital equipment such as robotic welding cells and fully automated machining centres that will enable the company to grow, increase productivity and create 18 jobs.

The Government of Canada is providing a $1,316,000 repayable contribution to Produits Gilbert under the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Quebec Economic Development Program. The Government of Quebec has given the company a $1,330,000 loan through the ESSOR program to support this project involving the acquisition of specialized equipment. Finally, Investissement Québec has given the company a loan, from its own funds, of $1,330,000.

The announcement was made today by Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac‑Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED; and Nancy Guillemette, MNA for Roberval, acting on behalf of Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region.

Quotes
"Les Produits Gilbert has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop world-class equipment that meets real industrial needs and even exceeds current standards. By offering its support, the Government of Canada will allow the company to continue its growth, create quality jobs and help boost the economy in the region."

Richard Hébert, MP for Lac-Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion

"In keeping with our commitment to foster the growth of the Canadian economy, the Government of Canada has made it its goal to support businesses hoping to prosper through innovation and the development of new technologies and new markets. The funding announced today will unquestionably contribute to the achievement of this objective."

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

"For more than 30 years now, this flagship company in the Le Domaine-du-Roy RCM has made a name for itself throughout North America because of its expertise and innovative capacity in designing and manufacturing equipment for the forestry and construction sectors, among others. We are therefore proud to be providing support today for this company's major project, which will contribute to the vitality of the manufacturing sector in the Saguenay–Lac Saint-Jean region and help create quality jobs in Roberval."

Nancy Guillemette, MNA for Roberval

"One of the Quebec government's priorities is to raise awareness among Quebec companies of the growth potential associated with Industry 4.0. Indeed, it is by integrating digital technologies and robotic equipment, in particular, that companies will be able to increase their productivity and competitiveness. Les Produits Gilbert has clearly understood this, which is why we are proud to be a part of the success of their investment project."

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region

"This intervention is part of Investissement Québec's manufacturing initiative, which aims to encourage the growth of the innovative manufacturing sector (link in French only) throughout Quebec by providing the necessary support for businesses that decide to adopt innovative technologies as part of their growth and innovation strategies. We hope that our support for manufacturers such as Les Produits Gilbert will encourage others to do likewise."

Julie Simard, Regional Director, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Côte-Nord, Investissement Québec

"We want to remain competitive, particularly by offering our clients products that exceed industry standards, and that is why innovation is key to our company's philosophy. We are growing rapidly and the support of the governments of Canada and Quebec is very important in allowing us to carry out our development projects."

Lydia Gaudreault, Director General, Les Produits Gilbert

Highlights
Founded in 1986, Les Produits Gilbert Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of snowmobile trail maintenance equipment (surface groomers) and forestry, sawmill and construction equipment.

CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

For 50 years now, the Government of Canada has been actively involved in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses.

The ESSOR program (site in French only) supports investment projects carried out in Quebec, with a view to enhancing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development.

Related links
To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2019–2020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec‑ced.gc.ca.

To receive real-time news releases from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, subscribe to the appropriate RSS news feed at www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/rss (in French only).

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

For further information: Sources: Caroline Bergeron, Director of the Office of the MNA for Roberval, Tel.: [phone]; Mathieu St-Amand, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, Tel.: [phone]; Information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Officer, Communications Directorate, Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation, Tel.: [phone], extension 4868, Cell: 418-559-0710; Isabelle Fontaine, Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs, Investissement, Québec, Tel.: [phone]