AFC Amérique du Nord Inc. receives $222,173 in funding from the Government of Canada for its PVC stretch ceiling plant in Mirabel

Laval, Quebec, September 30, 2009 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, took the opportunity, on the official opening of the AFC Amérique du Nord Inc. plant, to announce that the firm has been awarded $222,173 in repayable funding through the Business and Regional Growth program for the acquisition of new manufacturing equipment. This financial assistance should enable the company to reach sales of more than $3 million by the year 2011.

This Government of Canada contribution is intended to support the startup of this new enterprise, which will become the first plant in North America to manufacture PVC stretch ceilings featuring pole and screen assembly. The Mirabel factory has acquired the manufacturing and distribution rights from the French company Extenzo, which developed and patented this technology 32 years ago. AFC Amérique du Nord has adapted the technology to North American building standards in order to be able to design, manufacture and distribute these new products throughout the Canadian and United States markets.

“To help stimulate the economy of communities in difficulty, the Government of Canada is proud to support the creation and growth of companies that, like AFC Amérique du Nord, are searching out business opportunities and giving themselves the means to succeed. Productivity and innovation are fundamental to the competitiveness of Quebec’s small and medium-sized enterprises. This project promises to strengthen the region’s economy and create more than 20 new jobs in the community, and I am delighted to see it come to fruition,” stated Minister Lebel.

For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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Sources:

Marie-Claude Lemire
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-2199
E-mail: marie-claude.lemire@dec-ced.gc.ca

Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca