Nearly $2 million for the development of four growing businesses in the Chaudière-Appalaches region

The Government of Canada supports projects by four SMEs: Fromagerie Bergeron, DK-Spec, ValConcept and Miroirs Laurier

LÉVIS, QC, April 16, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Fromagerie Bergeron, DK-Spec, ValConcept and Miroirs Laurier will be able to pursue their growth with the help of a total of $1,980,000 in repayable contributions from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

The funding will allow Fromagerie Bergeron to go ahead with a project involving the integration of clean technologies to enhance the company's productivity and growth. DK-Spec will be able to pursue its expansion by acquiring and installing a five-axis machining centre. ValConcept will be able to enhance its productivity by acquiring automated window-screen production equipment.

And, finally, the funding awarded to Miroirs Laurier has two components: the contribution to an initial project involving the acquisition of strategic equipment, and support for a second project to upgrade the production and assembly lines.

The funding was announced today by Joël Lightbound, MP for Louis-Hébert and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance. The Government of Canada assistance will allow the recipient businesses to achieve their set objectives. The companies' respective projects will generate a total investment of $7,540,000 and will create 23 jobs in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

The Government of Canada is committed to creating close partnerships with Quebec businesses to support their efforts to innovate and increase their productivity and competitiveness, and to contribute to the economic vitality of the regions, job creation and the improvement of citizens' quality of life.

Quotes
"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting the role of innovation as a key means of fostering the diversification of businesses and the growth of their exports. This is why we are pleased to support the development of these four businesses in the Chaudière-Appalaches region."

Joël Lightbound, MP for Louis-Hébert and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

"By supporting investment in productivity enhancement, business creation, product development and the pursuit of new markets, the Government of Canada is standing by its commitment to foster growth, innovation and exports. I applaud Fromagerie Bergeron, DK-Spec, ValConcept and Miroirs Laurier for their ambition and the quality of their products."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

Quick facts
Today's announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which is made up of 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the other five regional development agencies.

The funding was provided under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2018–2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

For 50 years now, the Government of Canada has been actively involved in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses.

Related product
For more information about the projects, please refer to the related backgrounder.

Related backgrounder

Proponent	Contribution — Investments – Project Description
DK-Spec Inc.	Repayable contribution of $500,000 out of a total investment of $1,315,000 In 33 years, DK-Spec has become a Canadian leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of industrial cutting tools and specialized equipment. Its products are intended for companies in manufacturing sectors, especially primary, secondary and tertiary processing in the forestry industry. The project aims to improve the company's productivity and expansion through the purchase and installation of digital production and automation equipment that will be used for manufacturing new products developed by DK-Spec. The company will also acquire other specialized equipment. The assistance from CED will cover the purchase and installation of a five-axis machining centre. The project will create five jobs.
Fromagerie Bergeron Inc.	Repayable contribution of $700,000 out a total investment of $4,470,000 In operation for 30 years, this Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly family business manufactures and markets 16 different products. Their product line includes fine, fresh, curd, smoked, low-fat, Gouda and processed cheeses. The project aims to incorporate clean technologies into the production process, which will make it possible to recover milk and prevent the release of waste milk. CED's contribution will enable the SME to purchase and install a new production line, a washing system, basins, a skimmer and integrated management software (ERP). Through this project, Fromagerie Bergeron will have 10 new employees.
Laurier Glass Ltd.	Repayable contributions of $530,000 out of total investments of $1,355,000 Laurier Glass specializes in manufacturing value-added glass products and in glass forming. Its expertise enables it to offer such things as high-end glazing with superior energy efficiency, heat treating for increasing resistance, opacifying tempered glass panels, and staining. An initial project involved improving the company's productivity and expanding it. To carry out that project, Laurier Glass purchased and installed production equipment. CED's contribution of $240,000 helped purchase and install strategic equipment such as a forming machine and a washer for the tempering furnace. A second project aims to increase the company's production capacity. To do so, Laurier Glass will upgrade its sealed glass unit production line, add a water treatment system to the assembly line, and replace various pieces of equipment. CED's contribution of $290,000 will be used to upgrade the sealed glass unit production line and purchase the water treatment system. A third-generation family business with nearly 70 years of expertise in glass products, Laurier Glass has 150 full-time employees and will add three new employees through these projects.
ValConcept Inc.	Repayable contribution of $250,000 out of a total investment of $400,000 For 10 years now, ValConcept has been manufacturing screen mesh and screens for the window and door industry. The company has 40 employees working in two plants, in Val-Alain and Saint-Apollinaire. The project involves improving productivity, automation and expanding the company by purchasing and installing production equipment. ValConcept will also purchase one of the factory buildings it is currently renting. CED's contribution will cover the costs of purchasing and installing automated production equipment and the associated costs for moulds. The project will create five jobs.
Summary	Number of projects: 5 Number of jobs created: 23 CED's contributions: $1,980,000 Total investments generated by these projects: $7,540,000

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]