Plan Nord: CATE Côte-Nord and STIQ team up to identify technology requirements of prime manufacturers in mining and metallurgy sectors

MONTRÉAL and SEPT-ÎLES, QC, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - In the wake of the Plan Nord, Sous-Traitance Industrielle Québec (STIQ) has been mandated by the Centre d'aide technologique aux entreprises de la Côte-Nord (CATE Côte-Nord) to identify the technology requirements of the major prime manufacturers in the mining and metallurgy sectors. This exercise will encompass new equipment or new technology requirements emerging from these manufacturers' expansion or facilities-upgrading projects. Once they quantified the gap between demand and supply, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region will be well positioned to diversify their service offerings, leverage networking opportunities or attract companies with added-value potential for the region.

STIQ was selected for the task based on its in-depth knowledge of the Québec manufacturing industry and its recognized expertise in supplier research and pre-qualification. Over the past 25 years, STIQ has built up a one-of-a-kind business network of more than 4,000 manufacturing companies, enabling it to quickly and easily identify available manufacturing supply in Québec.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with the Centre d'aide technologique aux entreprises de la Côte-Nord. This is a great opportunity that is right in line with our activities and will allow us to put our know-how behind a major project for Québec," said STIQ Executive Vice-President Normand Voyer.

For its part, the CATE Côte-Nord will seek to provide assistance and support to SMEs in the region that will be called upon to deliver goods or services to the major prime manufacturers. The results of these consultations will enable the various economic organizations of Côte-Nord to take action to foster the development and diversification of the region's industries. Among other things, this will permit identification of one or more companies in the region that could respond to specific needs in exchange for a specific type of support, linking of the know-how of existing Côte-Nord companies with outside companies, support for start-ups, and identification of companies that could set up operations in the region.

About Sous-Traitance Industrielle Québec
STIQ is an association of Québec-based manufacturers. Its mission is to improve supply chain efficiency by helping suppliers to develop their business, diversify their customer base and identify business opportunities with prime manufacturers. It offers professional and technical services for supplier research, evaluation and assistance as well as organizing a number of networking events. STIQ has more than 650 members and customers in the key sectors of the Québec economy: aerospace, transportation, energy and natural resources.

About the Centre d'aide Technologique aux entreprises Côte-Nord
Founded in 2000, the Centre d'aide technologique aux entreprises Côte-Nord (CATE Côte-Nord) is an organization dedicated to technological development and industrial systems optimization. CATE Côte-Nord is a non-profit organization, run by a board of directors mainly comprising representatives of small, medium-sized and large companies. It serves the entire territory of Côte-Nord, and its array of services is aimed at the full spectrum of industry in the region.