Launched in Fall 2020, the Productivity Innovation Initiative aims to boost competitiveness and accelerate growth of target companies.

The support offered takes the form of financial solutions and in particular technological support accessible to companies in the region to improve productivity by focusing on innovation.

” It is aimed at companies of all sizes, for example in the fields of manufacturing, trade, mining or construction. »

The main supported project in the region was the modernization of theUniboard in Val-d’Or with a total investment of around US$78 million. In addition, approximately $1 million in support was awarded to Polyplast d’Amos to improve its manufacturing capabilities.

According to Investissement Québec, every dollar invested is matched by a three dollar investment from the selected companies. In other words if Uniboard After receiving $78 million in support, the company also had to invest $234 million to modernize its Val-d’Or plant.

Focus on competitiveness

For Investissement Québec’s regional director for Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec, Nancy Lefebvre, encouraging local businesses to become more competitive is crucial.

Entrepreneurs are working to automate more and more to stay competitive. I would even tell you it’s a matter of survival. They understand the importance of it so much that they want to invest heavily. We are here to support them in their approach.She explains.

The Productivity Innovation initiative represents more than $2 billion in investment across the province, accompanied by support from the Center de recherche Industrielle du Québec (CRIQ).

It helps to secure jobs, but also to support companies in the face of labor shortages. Employees can focus more on creating value, especially thanks to partial automationadds Nancy Lefebvre.