14 companies, 9 regions, $7.3 million - The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins invest $7.3 million in 14 Québec companies

MONTREAL, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (the "Caisse") and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins announced that they have made 14 new investments in Québec companies, growing the assets invested by the two partners by $7.3 million. These investments, intended to support the dynamic and successful companies in achieving their growth initiatives, will generate spin-offs in 9 regions in Québec, namely, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Montérégie, Montréal, the Eastern Townships, Québec City, Chaudière-Appalaches, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Côte-Nord.

Since the beginning of their partnership concluded two years ago, the Caisse and Desjardins Group jointly invested close to $110 million in different projects led by approximately 50 Québec companies located across the province.

"We are pleased that in 2012 we are forging ahead with our action plan to help strengthen SMBs showing high growth potential," indicated Luc Houle, Senior Vice President, Investments at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. "It's through a number of initiatives, particularly this partnership with Desjardins Group, that we are able to broaden our contribution across Québec. We wish these 14 companies great success in carrying out their respective projects."

For Marie-Claude Boisvert, Chief Operating Officer of Desjardins Venture Capital, which manages Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins, these new partnerships confirm the entrepreneurial force that drives business people throughout Québec.  "Entrepreneurs are constantly seeking the best levers to grow their business and clearly our partnership with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec represents an essential tool for this type of development. Furthermore, our strong presence in all regions of Québec ensure that we play a central and active role and are better positioned to support entrepreneurs in their projects."

14 COMPANIES: $7.3 MILLION

Location Lauzon inc., La Sarre
This retail company specializes in selling recreational product, spa and swimming pool sales, and equipment rentals and repair services. Established in 1992, Location Lauzon currently has 10 employees in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.

Les Industries Béroma Inc., Val-d'Or
Les Industries Béroma has been manufacturing specialized mining and forestry equipment for the Québec and northeastern Ontario markets since 1984. This prominent manufacturing company in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region has a total of 30 employees.

RX Santé, Lac-Brome
RX Santé is a pharmacist placement agency in Montérégie. Having reached its maturity after being in operation since 2005, the business is currently entering into a buyout transaction.

CRS / Vamic, Delson
Founded in 1978, CSR / Vamic is an assembler and distributor of modular belts and other industrial conveyor components primarily for the food and pharmaceutical markets in Québec, Ontario and the maritime provinces. In total, 20 people ensure the continuity of the Montérégie company. The investment is an integral part of a buyout.

Action Mécanique, Rougemont
In Rougemont, Montérégie, Action Mécanique, operating under the name Rougemont Diesel, runs a mechanical workshop for heavy trucks. Since it was established in 2008, the company's clients have included manufacturing, agricultural and transportation companies in the region. The investment is used in particular in carrying out an expansion project for the company's facilities.

Magellan Aviation Services inc., Montréal
Magellan Aviation Services offers, in Québec and Europe, training services for pilots operating ATR and A320 aircraft, and pilot and specialized mechanic placement services. The company also proposes private air transport services in France. Established in 2009, the Québec company has a total of 16 employees at its parent company in Montréal and at it two French subsidiaries, Magellan Training Center and Avialim. In particular, Magellan Aviation intends to allocate this investment to developing the Asian market.

Les Gestions F. Dumouchel Ltée, Montréal, Québec, Chicoutimi
Active since 1991, Les Gestions F. Dumouchel Ltée are insurance adjusters. With offices in Montréal, Québec City and Chicoutimi to serve its clients throughout Québec, this company has 30 employees. The investment will be earmarked for the company's growth projects.

V2R Distribution, Asbestos
This company, established in 2007, distributes women's bathing suits and ski clothing for men and women. Located in Asbestos, V2R Distribution is rapidly growing and has close to a dozen employees.

Décoplex inc, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome
Décoplex inc., operating under the name DX Plastiques, specializes in the use of thermoforming technology for the manufacture of plastic parts. Located near Lévis in Chaudière-Appalaches, the company was established in 1992 and has 12 employees. This investment was carried out as part of a transaction related to the business transfer.

Cervo-Polygaz inc., Chicoutimi, Sept-Îles
Established in 2009, Cervo-Polygaz specializes in the installation of piping, the maintenance and the repair of gas and oil heating elements. Its 46 employees ensure the continuity of its Chicoutimi and Sept-Îles offices. This investment was carried out as part of a succession project.

Fromagerie Boivin, La Baie
Fromagerie Boivin is a company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of cheddar cheese. Active since 1989, it has 120 employees in its La Baie au Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean facilities.

Impressions Soleil, La Pocatière, Rivière-du-Loup, Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Québec
Impressions Soleil is a company specializing in printing products and services. Established in 1993, the company has three facilities in Bas-Saint-Laurent - La Pocatière, Rivière-du-Loup and Notre-Dame-du-Lac - in addition to one in Québec City where a total of 16 people work.

Express Havre St-Pierre Ltée, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Îles and Boucherville
Express Havre St-Pierre has been operating since 1975 in the truck transportation industry. The company has 22 employees working in its head office in Havre-Saint-Pierre and for the subsidiaries in Sept-Îles and Boucherville. It serves the Bas-Côte-Nord market, receiving requests to transport goods from all over Québec. This investment has enabled Express Havre St-Pierre to build a warehouse at its head office.

Hôtel Motel Le Q'Artier des Îles inc., Port-Cartier
Hôtel Motel Le Q'Artier des Îles is a hotel establishment which, since 2010, took root in the Côte-Nord à Port-Cartier region. Its 15 employees serve the clientbase comprised mainly of tourists, business people and seasonal workers. The hotel was granted a loan to carry out the initial phase of a major renovation project.

About the Desjardins and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec partnership

In 2010, Desjardins Group and the Caisse announced a $600 million agreement aimed at supporting the expansion and growth of Québec SMBs. The agreement includes two distinct components: one for small companies and another for medium-sized companies.

The first part of the agreement involves a $200-million fund, Capital croissance PME, to meet the financing needs of small Québec companies, primarily in the form of subordinated loans of less than $3 million. Desjardins Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, is the exclusive manager of this fund and an equal partner alongside the Caisse and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins.

The second part of the partnership involves $400 million for the financing of medium-sized companies with good growth and profitability potential.

About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 13, 2010, it held $151.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, the Caisse invests in major financial markets, private equity and real estate. For more information: www.lacaisse.com.

About Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins

Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins, this year celebrating its 10^th anniversary, is a publicly traded company managed by Desjardins Venture Capital. With over 107,000 shareholders and net assets of $1,082 million, the Company contributes to Québec's economic development while driving the growth of cooperatives and the resource regions. Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins currently supports the growth of more than 220 companies, cooperatives and funds in various industries spanning all Québec regions. (capitalregional.com)

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group www.desjardins.com is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of nearly $190 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. As one of the largest employers in the country and among Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012^TM, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 43,600 employees and the commitment of nearly 6,000 elected officers. A new education and cooperation program is now available to Desjardins members and the general public. For more information, visit www.desjardins.com/co-opme.

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