Steel Products Manufacturing Company Boosts Productivity, Reduces Energy Consumption
News release
August 21, 2019 – Saint-Quentin, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Canadian steel and aluminum companies are key contributors to the Canadian economy, providing well-paying jobs in regions across Canada.
Today, René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced $500,000 in funding for Atelier Gérard Beaulieu (AGB) of Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick.
The funding is being provided under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) Steel and Aluminum Initiative, announced in March 2019. Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the funding provides targeted support to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses in the steel, aluminum and manufacturing sectors through non-repayable contributions for projects to enhance productivity, increase competitiveness by adopting new innovative technologies, and create more highly skilled jobs.
With this funding, Atelier Gérard Beaulieu will purchase new production equipment to improve productivity and reduce energy consumption, resulting in increased exports and jobs maintained in the community.
Canada’s steel and aluminum sector plays a vital role in the economy and in manufacturing supply chains, providing thousands of Canadians with good middle-class jobs. This funding initiative provides small and medium-sized businesses with consistent support across all regions of Canada, while tailoring support to meet regional needs.
Quotes
“Our government supports the hard-working steel and aluminum workers and companies that are important to regional economies across Canada. Our investments to support small and medium-sized producers and users of steel and aluminum will help these businesses innovate to drive productivity, scale up and expand into new markets to create good middle-class jobs.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The small and medium-sized businesses in our steel and aluminum industries are important contributors to the economic vitality of communities across the country. Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, and by investing in their success, we are investing in the success of all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
“Atelier Gérard Beaulieu is a key employer, providing jobs to approximately 50 hard-working Canadians in Saint-Quentin. I am pleased that the Government of Canada, through ACOA is supporting Atelier Gérard Beaulieu as it expands its exports and creates new employment in this region.”
– René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche
“ACOA's investment will enable AGB to acquire manufacturing automation tools. These tools will allow us to be much faster, thus reducing delivery times and significantly reducing manufacturing costs. With these, we will also maximize the use of raw materials, which means less waste and savings of time and money. We will therefore be more flexible and have less chance of error when cutting.”
– Marc Beaulieu, President, Atelier Gérard Beaulieu
Quick facts
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Regional development agencies are one of Canada’s four flagship platforms supporting innovation, along with the Industrial Research Assistance Program, the Strategic Innovation Fund and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
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The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program builds on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan by providing regionally tailored, nationally consistent support for business productivity and scale-up and by helping enhance regional technology clusters and innovation ecosystems.
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In 2018, Canada’s steel and aluminum industry employed more than 33,500 Canadians and contributed $8.9 billion to the value of goods produced and services provided in Canada.
Contacts
Dani Keenan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science an Economic Development
343-291-1710
Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-261-5534
Germain St-Pierre
Marketing Supervisor
Atelier Gérard Beaulieu
506-235-2243
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