Tourbières Berger, Cotech/Xmetal, Verbois and Usinage FR grow their business and contribute to the economic development of Bas-Saint-Laurent

Government of Canada supports the growth of four enterprises in the Rivière-du-Loup RCM by investing more than $4 million

SAINT-MODESTE, QC, April 6, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Businesses need to be able to rely on adequate resources to create and commercialize innovative products. The Government of Canada is continuing to implement the ambitious plan it adopted in 2017 to support entrepreneurial drive through concrete initiatives generating growth that benefits businesses and communities.

With Government of Canada support totalling $4,269,370, Tourbières Berger, Cotech/Xmetal, Verbois and Usinage FR will initiate investment projects evaluated at over $18 million. The projects include the installation of state-of-the-art equipment that uses artificial intelligence to automate production, helping these businesses stay competitive and creating 81 high-quality jobs in the area.

The announcement was made by David Lametti, Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED.

The funding has been granted in the form of repayable contributions through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program and will help the recipient businesses meet their growth objectives.

Quotes

"Regional development agencies like CED are key players in the Government of Canada's efforts to help enterprises create jobs in communities across the country. Support like the funding announced today helps businesses commercialize the leading-edge technology and new products they have developed."
David Lametti, Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"New technology such as artificial intelligence is transforming modern manufacturing by reducing production costs, increasing productivity and supporting the design of innovative products. By encouraging businesses to innovate, we are stimulating economic growth and helping Canadians upgrade their skills, get better jobs and have greater opportunities."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED

Quick facts

• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• For more information on CED's key directions until 2021, consult Strategic Plan 2021 or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• For more information on these projects, please see the attached backgrounder.

Backgrounder

Proponent	Contribution – Investments – Project description
Tourbières Berger	Repayable contributions totalling $3,314,400 out of total investments of $16,055,000 Tourbières Berger specializes in the design and manufacture of innovative peat-based horticultural media that improves crops of flowers, vegetables, fruits, grasses, trees and shrubs. In addition to these products, which are intended mainly for the professional horticulturist and retail markets, Berger offers technical seminars, consulting services and laboratory analyses. The company's most recent project consists in computerizing its operations to a greater extent, acquiring better R&D capabilities and adopting a strategic plan to commercialize new products in new markets. CED's investment of $2,500,000 will support the implementation of an enterprise resource planning tool and the acquisition of computer hardware, as well as R&D activities and the development of products and processes. An earlier project received $814,400 in funding from CED for the acquisition and manufacture of production equipment and the purchase of computer hardware to upgrade a peat processing plant. These projects will create 72 jobs once they have been completed.
Cotech/Xmetal	Repayable contribution of $515,025 out of a total investment of $1,548,929 Cotech/Xmetal manufactures front-end loader equipment for tractors for the agricultural market, along with forks, bins, clamps, picks, snow scrapers and other hay handling equipment. Its agricultural products are available at over 120 distributors (New Holland, Case Inter and John Deere) in Quebec and New Brunswick. The company also offers subcontracting services, mainly to prime contractors, for the manufacture of metal components using cutting and robotic welding equipment. The project consists in improving the company's performance through the acquisition and installation of technological equipment and the addition of a clean tech component. More specifically, CED's contribution is going toward the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool, Web applications and computer hardware; the acquisition of production equipment, including robotic welders and automated handling equipment; and the purchase and installation of a gas-capturing system to reduce the company's environmental footprint. Three new permanent jobs are expected to be created once the project is completed.
Verbois	Repayable contribution of $302,445 out of a total investment of $670,500 Verbois is a company that designs and manufactures mass-produced and custom household furniture. The company's products are sold through some 80 furniture retailers in Canada. Verbois has diversified its operations to improve productivity and expand. CED's contribution went specifically toward the acquisition of production equipment, such as robotic cells, a drying oven and a conveyor handling system. Three full-time jobs were created through this project.
Usinage FR	Repayable contribution of $137,500 out of a total investment of $392,100 Usinage FR specializes in the manufacture, adjustment and assembly of equipment parts destined mainly for Quebec's prime manufacturing contractors. The steel, stainless steel, aluminum and plastic products are intended for the transportation, recreational vehicle, furniture and medical equipment industries. Usinage FR contributes significantly to the local economy, employing 19 people and using the services of various suppliers in the area. The project has improved the company's productivity and helped it expand through the acquisition and installation of digital production equipment. CED's contribution went toward all the activities. The project helped created three jobs.
Summary	Number of projects: 5 Number of jobs created: 81 CED's contributions: $4,269,370 Total investments generated by these projects: $18,666,529

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• Follow Tourbières Berger on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo
• Follow Cotech/Xmetal on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube
• Follow Verbois on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest
• Follow Usinage FR on Facebook

SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Source: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Régions, 514-283-7443, [email protected]