Rimouski, Quebec, April 2, 2007 The
Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, today announced a $112,500 non-repayable
contribution to Valoritremble a network comprising eight aspen
sawmills, seven located in the Lower St. Lawrence and one in the
Gaspé in order to conduct market prospecting and validation
activities for commercialization of aspen-based value-added products.
Valoritremble's approach is highly strategic for these eight mills. It
fosters networking and synergy among enterprises in the enhancement of their
product line and development of value-added products, an approach conducive to
economic development not only for these enterprises, but for the entire
Lower St. Lawrence region as well.
Canada Economic Development's support will be used to hire
two resources, a canvasser/direct seller and a co-ordinator. The
canvasser/direct seller will be responsible for prospecting and promoting aspen
products to buyers on the Eastern Canadian and Eastern U.S. markets,
while the co-ordinator's mandate will be to plan and co ordinate the
activities of the group of enterprises in line with the potential products
proposed by the canvasser/direct seller. The co-ordinator will also ensure
consistency within the group, keep it informed and analyse the different
value-added production scenarios in conjunction with its members.
"At a time of increasingly fierce competition, Canada's new government
encourages enterprises to innovate and switch to secondary and tertiary
processing," stated Minister Blackburn. "Our support will help give this
network of enterprises the tools to be competitive and reduce its vulnerability
in the face of the decline in the traditional markets for aspen. Valoritremble
is working at top speed to target new markets and generate tangible
opportunities so as to maintain jobs in its mills. Thus, diversification of
output is the challenge to be met."
According to the president, Gilles Maisonneuve, Valoritremble
demonstrates regional enterprises' concern to develop expertise and work
together to find alternatives and procedures that will help consolidate the
aspen processing industry in the Lower St. Lawrence. "This is a new
approach," concluded Mr Maisonneuve, "and
Canada Economic Development's contribution represents substantial
support that will give us access to specialized resources fully dedicated to
attaining our common goal, one of the secrets to Valoritremble's success."
-30-
Sources:
Claudie LamontagneCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 418-722-3282 or 1-800-463-9073E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.caRoxane
MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
