Drummondville, Quebec, May 22, 2007 While passing through the region today, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, announced that Groupe Soucy will receive repayable financial contributions totalling $3,150,983 from Canada's new government to help two of its Drummondville firms reach unmatched levels of productivity.
These two projects and all of the investments made will result in 429 jobs being maintained, and another 139 new jobs created by the year 2009.
"Ensuring the sustainability of Groupe Soucy and the incalculable contribution it makes to the economic development of the Drummondville area is essential. Today's announcement is also a reminder of the important link between growth and prosperity and the performance of our entrepreneurs. That is why Canada's new government wants to see to it that there are no barriers to their success. Indeed, it is in that very spirit that the 2007 budget targets five Canadian advantages to improve our quality of life and international competitiveness. The budget tabled by my colleague, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, outlines concrete measures aimed at helping the Centre-du-Québec region, Quebec and Canada become world leaders, today and for generations to come," stated Minister Blackburn.
"When this firm was founded in 1978, I never could have imagined it would be where it is today. From the very beginning, we have enjoyed sustained growth, and that is primarily due to the hard work of all of our staff and the support of our business partners like Canada Economic Development," noted Groupe Soucy Founding President Gilles Soucy.
Soucy Plastiques Inc.
This division specializes in the manufacture of plastic products using compression and extrusion moulding methods. Soucy Plastiques Inc. manufactures a wide range of polymer products (sprockets, wheels, pulleys and skis) for the industrial, recreational and military markets.
To meet the rising demand for these products, Soucy Plastiques Inc. must improve its productivity and reduce production time in order to stand up to growing world competition. This repayable contribution of $633,677 from Canada Economic Development will enable the firm to, among other things, improve its manufacturing and moulding processes, automate some of its production operations and implement a management, data capture and performance indicator system.
Soucy International Inc.
Soucy International Inc. specializes in the manufacture of moulded, stamped and heat-formed rubber, metal and plastic products. Its machined products include track systems for military, industrial, agricultural and recreational vehicles as well as metal accessories for all-terrain vehicles. The Soucy International plant is also where many of the parts manufactured in the Groupe's seven other factories are assembled.
The repayable contribution of $2,517,306 from Canada Economic Development will enable Soucy International Inc. to institute a large-scale action plan aimed at raising the level of productivity in four of its main divisions, namely the metal, heat-forming, machining and rubber divisions. Soucy International Inc. operates in the transport equipment sector, which is seen as a priority niche for the Centre-du-Québec region. Based on its tremendous potential, this firm is considered a strategic player in the growth of Quebec's manufacturing sector.
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Sources:
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-371-5138 or 1-800-567-8637
E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
Cell.: 613-816-5094
E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
