The company Affûtage N.J.R. is modernizing their facilities and stepping up productivity

From: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

News release

A $1.2 million investment project in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Alma, Quebec, March 4, 2019 – The governments of Canada and Quebec are awarding a total of $830,000 in financial assistance to the company Affûtage N.J.R. to support an investment project valued at $1.2 million. That project involves purchasing a building and specialized equipment, such as an automatic pellet welder and an automatic eight-axis numerically controlled sharpening machine with a self-loading robot, which will enable the company to modernize their facilities and step up productivity.

Therefore, the Government of Canada is providing a repayable contribution of $470,000 to the company for that project. The funding was awarded under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).  

The Government of Quebec, through its ESSOR program, is providing the company with a repayable contribution of $180,000, while Investissement Québec is also awarding them a $180,000 loan from its own funds.

Mr. Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac‑Saint‑Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, and Mr. Éric Girard, Member for Lac‑Saint‑Jean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière Region, made the announcement today.

Quotes

“Innovation, expertise and growth are part of the same equation. The company Affûtage N.J.R. has amply demonstrated that and is continuing to push the boundaries, making them a reference in the industrial sharpening sector. CED’s support will enable them to take full advantage of business opportunities that arise and to succeed in this specialized market.”

Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac‑Saint‑Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Businesses and Export Promotion

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting businesses that adopt innovative technologies and approaches to create the growth of tomorrow. The funding announced today definitely contributes to that goal. Our support for Affûtage N.J.R. reflects this commitment in a concrete way.”

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

“In a context of full employment in Quebec and faced with increasingly intense global competition, Quebec companies must make strategic investments, such as the one announced today, in order to keep growing and take full advantage of business opportunities in the various markets. The company Affûtage N.J.R., which has been operating in the Saguenay–Lac‑Saint‑Jean region for nearly 30 years now, is well aware of that issue. That is why we are proud to support them in their efforts to increase their productivity and competitiveness.”

Éric Girard, Member for Lac‑Saint‑Jean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Modernizing companies and integrating automation into their processes are key to increasing Quebec’s productivity. As such, companies can count on our support and financial tools, such as the ESSOR program, for adopting innovative technologies that will improve their productivity and that of Quebec as a whole.”

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

Quick facts

  • Founded in 1991, the company Affûtage N.J.R. specializes in maintaining and sharpening cutting tools, such as industrial saw blades.

  • 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 participating in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action dedicated to the development of the regions and local businesses.

  • The ESSOR program [website in French only] by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation seeks to support investment projects carried out in Quebec with the aim of increasing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and supporting sustainable development.

Contacts

  • Suzie Larouche
    Manager
    Constituency Office of the Member for Lac‑Saint‑Jean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    Phone: 418-668‑6149
    Cell: 418-487‑7518
  • Mathieu St-Amand
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region 
    Phone: 418-691-5650

Information

  • Media Relations
    CED
    Phone: 514-283-7443
    Email: dec.media.ced@canada.ca
  • Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil
    Media Relations Officer
    Communications Branch
    Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
    Phone: 418-691-5698 ext. 4868
    Cell: 418-559-0710
  • Isabelle Fontaine
    Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs
    Investissement Québec
    Phone: 514-876-9359

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