Saint-Georges, Quebec, December 14, 2009 – Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Member of Parliament for Beauce, today announced the awarding of a $97,200 non-repayable financial contribution to Mécanium Inc. This funding will enable the college technology transfer centre to provide guidance services to small and medium-sized Chaudière-Appalaches manufacturers looking to improve their productivity by incorporating high-performance technologies into their operations.
Mr. Bernier welcomed the decision to fund this pilot project, which will generate $252,000 in overall investment and allow Mécanium Inc. to play a key part in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) automate such manufacturing procedures as materials handling and sorting.
“The Government of Canada is keenly aware of the critical role SMEs play in our economy and, as such, is working determinedly to ensure their success and foster their growth. To that end, the corporate tax relief measures we introduced in 2006 and reinforced through Canada’s Economic Action Plan translate into more than $60 billion in tax savings for businesses for 2008-2009 and the next five fiscal years,” stated Maxime Bernier.
Mécanium Inc. will initially conduct a full analysis of the manufacturing methods of 10 SMEs in order to accurately pinpoint the source of their inefficiency and facilitate the integration of automated processes. The findings of this first step of the project will lead to the recommendation of customized solutions. The SMEs, with the support of Mécanium’s specialists, where needed, will carry out all subsequent steps, through to implementation of the selected technology. Mécanium expects to carry out some 40 assistance activities among participating manufacturing SMEs in the region over the next two years.
This support will enable SMEs to strengthen their innovative capabilities and capitalize on the benefits of leading-edge technologies, thereby gaining a competitive advantage and stronger positioning in order to meet the requirements of major contractors and seize new business opportunities.
This project is also expected to generate interest among enterprises for the automation of their non value-added operations and create a spill-over effect on other SMEs in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.
This financial assistance has been granted through Canada Economic Development’s Business and Regional Growth program.
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Sources:
Guylaine Beaudoin
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-648-4679 or 1-800-463-5204
E-mail: guylaine.beaudoin@dec-ced.gc.ca
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cell.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
