Putting an idea on the table
Fromagerie Polyethnique’s products have a distinctly exotic flavour. Located in Saint-Robert, a small farming community outside of Sorel-Tracy, this firm draws its inspiration from traditional Arab cheese-making methods to produce a variety of Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean cheeses. Today, these products are sold in a growing number of specialty food shops and big-box stores.
Fromagerie Polyethnique arose from an idea hatched in 1992 when a group of Montérégie farmers and some shopkeepers of Lebanese descent got together and forged business relations. Three years later, in 1995, the new company was up and running, supplying customers with labneh, akawie, hallom and nabulsi cheeses, and before long it began to prosper.
From small-scale to commercial production
In doubling its purchases of raw materials and services by the year 2011 as well, the firm’s growth also promises to generate considerable economic spinoffs for the Bas-Richelieu region as a whole
But this growth did not happen on its own: the factory had quickly reached its production saturation point and was barely able to keep up with customer demand. The facilities themselves needed to be modernized to allow the company to make the transition from small-scale to commercial production.
Faced with these many challenges, Fromagerie Polyethnique turned to Canada Economic Development for support in 2002. The company was seeking financial assistance to help it purchase equipment and design a one-of-a-kind filtering system geared specifically to its needs. The enterprise was thus able to invest $2.8 million in executing this project and expanding its facilities.
The partnership with Canada Economic Development was renewed in 2007 when Fromagerie Polyethnique sought to acquire machinery to help it boost production of soft, firm and semi-firm cheeses. Another expansion of the factory was required to accommodate this new production line. These improvements required a $2 million investment, $1.2 million of it for the acquisition of the new equipment.
With this step completed, Fromagerie Polyethnique will now be in a position to double its production by the year 2013 and reduce its costs by half. Moreover, the company expects to consolidate 26 jobs and create another eight positions between now and 2010. In doubling its purchases of raw materials and services by the year 2011 as well, the firm’s growth also promises to generate considerable economic spinoffs for the Bas-Richelieu region as a whole.
