Drummondville, Quebec, February 19, 2007 Speaking
on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and
Minister of Canada Economic Development, Luc Harvey, Member of
Parliament for Louis-Hébert, took the
opportunity while in the region today to announce that the firm
CDM Décor Papers Inc. will receive $2 million in
repayable funding to carry out a project aimed at boosting
its competitiveness.
CDM Decor Papers Inc. is Canada's only manufacturer of decorative
coatings for use in the furniture and milled wood sectors that relies on
electron-beam technology. The coatings are produced from a base of extremely
thin printed paper covered by a protective layer of lacquer. In Canada, this
technology-intensive
process has enabled the enterprise to become a leader in
the industry.
The funding from Canada's new government will help CDM Decor
Papers Inc. acquire new technological equipment, implement a plan to
improve its competitiveness, carry out its foreign market commercialization
strategy and upgrade its management systems. This project will also serve to
strengthen the strategic position the firm occupies within the furniture and
milled wood sectors.
"With overall investments totalling $5 million, this project will result
in the maintenance of 47 jobs and the creation of 10 new positions,
which is excellent news for the Drummondville economy. I would also like to
highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of the seven Quebec shareholders who have
shown proof of vision, determination and solidarity in buying back and turning
around this company formerly under the control of German interests," stated
Minister Blackburn.
"This support from Canada Economic Development
is critical to the growth of our company and will give us the tools we need to
bring this project to fruition in the very short term. The lower
manufacturing costs that result will put us in a better position to
face world competition and to help our manufacturing clients do the same,"
noted Pierre-Yves Couture, president of CDM Decor Papers Inc.
CDM Decor Papers Inc. uses environmentally-friendly
manufacturing processes to produce its decorative coatings, which are also
recyclable. This Drummondville firm therefore offers an ecological alternative
to the melamine and vinyl finishes currently in use in the furniture and milled
wood sectors.
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Sources:
Lyne MontpellierCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-371-5138 or 1-800-567-8637E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca