The governments of Canada and Quebec, as well as Investissement Québec, are granting a total of $16.125 million in financial assistance to WIPTEC to establish an order preparation centre in Longueuil for consumers, boutiques, and big box stores. Valued at nearly $100 million, this first of three phases for the project is expected to create over 380 permanent jobs, for a total of 630 positions in the business.
The Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Élisabeth Brière, on behalf of the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Pascale St‑Onge, and the Minister for the Economy, Lucie Lecours, made the announcement today in the company of the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Member for Vachon, Ian Lafrenière.
To support this project by WIPTEC to enhance productivity and grow, the Government of Canada is providing a repayable contribution of $3 million under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program (REGI). This assistance will enable the business to acquire a robotic order preparation system, including handling robots, order preparation stations, and smart shelving.
For its part, the Government of Quebec is granting a loan of $8 million under the ESSOR program, managed by Investissement Québec as the government's representative. This contribution, a portion of which may be forgiven, aims to promote WIPTEC's pooling services among small Quebec businesses in order to optimize their e-commerce logistics. Another loan of $5.125 million is being issued from Investissement Québec's capital funds.
Quotes
"We are helping businesses equip themselves with what they need to remain competitive, grow, and create good jobs. Thanks to this financial assistance from our government, WIPTEC will be able to make it easier for SMEs to make the digital shift in a context where e-commerce has been catapulted forward during the pandemic. This support will thus enable the business to better serve its clients and help the Quebec and Canadian economies to recover."
The Honourable Pascale St‑Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED
"Our investment in WIPTEC and its new state-of-the-art equipment centre is proof once again of our commitment to homegrown businesses. Our government is proud to contribute to the meteoric growth of this Quebec business; Martin Ball is drawing attention outside our borders for his expertise."
Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
"Through its expertise and innovations, WIPTEC is enabling SMEs to meet the ever‑growing demand for e-commerce. Through the services the business offers, Quebecers have quicker access to more homegrown products. By supporting SMEs as they make the digital shift, WIPTEC is helping to fulfill one of our government's priorities and contributing to economic development right across Quebec."
Lucie Lecours, Minister for the Economy
"The pandemic has driven businesses to modernize by requiring them to adapt to a new reality. Not only does this announcement create 380 jobs, but it also meets a significant need among many Quebec businesses for logistics. Today confirms that the Saint‑Hubert airport zone is a key hub in the region due to its dynamic nature and strategic geographic position."
Ian Lafrenière, Member for Vachon and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs
"Since being created, WIPTEC has stood out by leveraging innovation and digital tools to offer personalized service and meet the growing demand from its clients. By helping to establish this new order preparation centre, our regional team is pleased to support the business's growth projects. WIPTEC will continue to work with entrepreneurs so they can meet their objectives and remain competitive."
Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO, Investissement Québec
Quick facts
- WIPTEC offers tailored order preparation services, as well as storage and logistical solutions. Established in Sherbrooke in 2002, this leader develops its own supply chain and distribution centre management applications, as well as artificial intelligence to manage productivity and allocate resources. These tools make it very agile in integrating new clients.
- The REGI program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions.
- CED is the key federal player in Quebec to promote economic development in the regions and among SMEs.
- Managed by Investissement Québec on behalf of the Government of Quebec, the ESSOR program aims to support investment projects in Quebec with a view to enhancing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development.
- Investissement Québec has a mission to actively participate in Quebec's economic development by stimulating business innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment and export growth across all regions.
