Rimouski, Quebec, March 29, 2007 The Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, the Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, today announced a $157,500 non-repayable
contribution to SEREX (Service de recherche et d'expertise en transformation
des produits forestiers, or Forest Product Processing Research and Expertise
Services) in order to support its activities.
SEREX specializes in secondary and tertiary wood processing.
Canada Economic Development's support will contribute to the
continuation of the applied research, watch and technology transfer activities
developed by SEREX to cater to the needs of forest product processing firms. The
funds will be used to maintain the team of 10 specialized resource-persons
who assist companies in the pursuit of opportunities and development of
value-added projects involving forest products.
"This initiative is proof positive of Canada's new government's desire to
improve the development of enterprises so as to make them more
competitive," stated Minister Blackburn. "This contribution
complements the efforts made by our government to ensure that innovation and
research and development spawn projects of benefit both for the forestry
industry and for the communities that depend on it. We are proud to be able to
count on the expertise of a partner such as SEREX in attaining this goal."
"With the help of Canada Economic Development's contribution, SEREX
will be in a position to provide more effective guidance for small and
medium-sized enterprises in forest product processing in the Lower St.
Lawrence," stated Pierre Bédard, SEREX's general manager. "We will also be
able to offer realistic innovation solutions that will help our clientele
succeed on the markets. Thus, SMEs will be able to count on leading-edge
expertise in the development of new products."
SEREX has vast expertise in laboratories and equipment that enables it to
work on specific mandates or alongside forestry world partners, such as Forintek
Canada. Its work is aimed at meeting the needs of the forest product processing
industry and is focussed in particular on the formulation and enhancement of the
different types of resins, panel production and finishing, wood hardening, wood
impregnation and treatment, extraction and enhancement of waste from primary
processing, and drying of species.
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Sources:
Claudie LamontagneCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
418-722-3282 or 1-800-463-9073E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
