Grand-Mère, Quebec, May 20, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $85,500 in repayable funding to Elmec Inc., a firm specializing in the design and manufacture of electromechanical equipment. This funding has been granted through the $1,220,000 budget allocation that, earmarked exclusively for the Shawinigan area, was announced in December 2007 following the shutdown of the Belgo plant.
Elmec Inc. is seeking to expand its operations and branch out into the manufacture of composite-based cabs for off-road vehicles in order to meet the growing demand for aesthetically-pleasing, ergonomic and high-performance products. This funding will be used for the acquisition of a robot that will enable the Grand-Mère firm to market an exceptional product. In conjunction with the addition of this new machinery, the company intends to redevelop its plant and undertake research and development activities.
"Canada Economic Development has granted this contribution to Elmec in order to lend support to the transportation equipment industry, a sector of key importance to the Mauricie economy. This investment will play a definite role in promoting local industrial diversification. With this project, Elmec is hoping to set itself apart from the competition and attract new customers. The assistance we are offering is entirely consistent with the numerous measures the Government of Canada has put in place to support growth firms looking to improve their performance," stated Minister Blackburn.
This project will allow Elmec to be more efficient in the manufacture of its core products and to better adapt its new off-road vehicle cabs to customer needs, thereby optimizing its use of resources and generating 10 new jobs in the area.
Minister Blackburn took advantage of this stop in Grand-Mère to recap his major announcement of earlier in the day unveiling the latest component of the Canada Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. Called Productivity Support, this $86 million initiative follows up on the recommendations of the 14 advisory committees established by the Minister in fall 2006.
"This Productivity Support component will enable us to help small and medium-sized manufacturers pursue their growth while continuing to foster their competitiveness across the communities and regions of Quebec. The consensus-building work we have done in partnership with the advisory activities has assured us that we are well tuned in to the regions and well tuned in to business," Minister Blackburn concluded.
Through this component, Canada Economic Development will be able to provide support of manufacturing SMEs in their efforts to raise productivity in three respects: access to outside experts and specialists, introduction of new processes and business practices, and acquisition to leading-edge equipment and technologies.
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Sources:
Nathalie Lévesque
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-0306
Cell.: 514-966-0661
E-mail: nathalie.levesque@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: sylvain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
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