Complex tooling: high value-added expertise for Greater Montréal - Avantis Group and Drakkar & Partners create Avantis Industrialisation with help from Montréal International

MONTREAL, July 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - France-based mechanical engineering firm Avantis and Québec's Drakkar & Partners, a strategic outsourcing specialist, today announced the creation of Avantis Industrialisation, a high value-added company for Greater Montréal. The news was announced by Sam Hamad, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade during the Farnborough International Airshow held in London from June 9 to 15.

The two partner companies, which have complementary expertise, plan to offer cutting-edge complex tooling services to North American firms in the aerospace, space, defence, energy and autosport sectors. This project calls for a $6.5 million investment over three years and the creation of around 30 highly specialized jobs.

"This new Franco-Canadian partnership enables Avantis to grow its overseas activities and be closer to its most loyal customers already operating in Canada and the US. For us, this investment in Greater Montréal reflects not only our willingness and determination to meet the needs of our clients but also shows a concrete commitment to perpetuate promising business relationships and develop the group's activities over the long term," said Christophe Olivari, President and CEO of Avantis Group. "Complementarity and expertise will be key to our success, along with a rich and stimulating human adventure," he added.

"Our customers' pressing needs in the aerospace sector, as well as the high-tech sectors in which we operate, prompted us to set up the Avantis Industrialisation partnership. This new company brings advanced technological solutions to the benefit of industrial corporations in Québec and elsewhere in North America. Through international mobility, Drakkar & Partners will bring access to qualified employees along with its knowledge of the field and its management structure," explained Denis Deschamps, President and Chief Executive Officer of Drakkar & Partners and the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Avantis Industrialisation.

"We are pleased to welcome Avantis Industrialisation to Québec. By considering Québec for its expansion projects, Avantis Group confirms the attractiveness of the province's aerospace sector for foreign firms that are looking to set up operations in North America," said Hamad.

Montréal International (MI), whose mandate includes attracting foreign investment to Greater Montréal, provided assistance to Avantis Group and Drakkar & Partners in realizing their joint project. "Avantis Industrialisation is making a tangible contribution to Greater Montréal's dynamism as a centre for innovation and high technology, by bringing in highly specialized expertise and R&D-focused activities," said Jacques St-Laurent. "MI will continue to support its development and growth in the region, in particular by providing strategic advice, sectorial expertise and a solid knowledge of the business milieu and government assistance programs," he added.

About Avantis Group (www.avantis-group.com)
A specialist in mechanical engineering, Avantis Group provides technical expertise to industrial clients' development projects. Founded in 2002, Avantis now has 300 associates and sales of €24 million. The firm has expertise on entire product lifecycles and designs, industrializes, produces, tests and maintains mechanical apparatus developed for its customers.

About Drakkar & Partners (www.drakkar.ca)
Drakkar & Partners is a leading strategic consulting firm that has been in operation for more than 20 years. Drakkar is a privately-held company with more than 1,000 employees at its offices in Québec, Ontario and the US. Through innovative and sustainable solutions, the company brings synergy and complementarity to operations, including access to qualified labour. Its integrated services are aimed at developing partnerships that stimulate economic development, industrialization and deployment of specialized labour on a local, national and international scale. Drakkar & Partners is a key player bringing to bear its structure and HR management model in various activity sectors to provide its customers with strategic solutions with an eye to operational efficiency.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)
Created in 1996, Montréal International is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandate is to attract foreign investment, international organizations and qualified foreign workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is financed by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract $8.7 billion in foreign investment to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 47,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed almost half of some 65 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and, attract and retain, more than 7,500 qualified foreign workers. To learn more, please visit MI Web site at: www.montrealinternational.com.

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
celine.cleme[email protected] 

Nadia Duchesne
Chief, Marketing & Communications
Drakkar & Partners
514-733-9085, ext. 2021
[email protected]