July 15, 2019 - Saint-Damase, Quebec - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
A visionary company operating in a traditional sector, Damabois specializes in value-added processing of forest products. To continue growing, it will receive a repayable contribution of $950,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With that financial assistance, the company will be able to roll into production Canada's first production line for pallets formed from wood waste, by installing European technology.
Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that funding today. The Government of Canada's assistance will specifically enable Damabois to purchase the thermoforming line needed for its innovative project.
For over 30 years, Damabois has been manufacturing pallet components and handling pallets made of wood and by-products (chips, sawdust), intended mainly for plants in Quebec and New Brunswick. In 2017, the manufacturing company was the first in Canada to produce densified-wood energy logs using aspen bark. A true example of development through product innovation, it will soon introduce to the Canadian market the pallet formed from wood waste, another value-added product manufactured from waste materials, once again diversifying its product mix.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovative Canadian companies. A true economic driver, innovation is the key to success because it generates the growth that companies and communities benefit from. That is why we ensure that companies like Damabois can rely on adequate resources for creating innovative products.
Quotes
"Damabois is a flagship in Quebec's forest industry waste material processing sector, as well as being an innovative company that actively contributes to the region's economic vitality. Its wood-waste palette project is a product that promotes sustainable development and clean economic growth! I am proud of the Government of Canada's support for innovative projects like this: it boosts the competitiveness of our industries and Canadian economic growth."
Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting the role of innovation as an important means of encouraging the diversification and growth of companies, but also to making Canada a global centre for innovation by encouraging new investments that will ensure future economic development. We are therefore more than happy to support Damabois's growth."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED
"Creating our production line for pallets formed from wood waste is an opportunity for us to help improve the environmental performance of the forest products industry. This enables us to derive value from sawmill by-products and take a position in a developing market. This new technology will enable us to diversify our product mix available to new clients and to our increasingly demanding clients. The Government of Canada's support will enable us to strengthen our position in the industry and help stimulate the region's economy."
Martin Lavoie, President of Damabois Inc.
Quick facts
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Today's announcement is made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which comprises 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the five other regional development agencies.
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The funding was awarded under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program is intended for entrepreneurs who focus on innovation for growing their company and making it more competitive, and for regional economic players that help create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and to growth for all, in all regions.
