Seeing big while developing the infinitesimally small

Investing during an economic downturn takes courage. Maher Boulos is certainly not lacking in that department. In March 2009, this career engineer, retired Université de Sherbrooke professor and President of Tekna Plasma Systems Inc., decided to expand by building a new plant: Tekna Advanced Materials.

Among the reasons prompting this bold move by Mr. Boulos, who calls Sherbrooke home, some are more important than others. As he stressed: “This project has maintained 80 full-time jobs and created 10 new ones at a time of economic slowdown. Working to strengthen economic activity is our way of thanking our society and the governments for their help since Tekna Plasma Systems first saw the light of day 20 years ago.”

Operating in a rapidly growing, high demand niche market, Tekna Plasma Systems needed to stay on the fast track to further its growth. The firm, which specializes in the field of induction plasma, or inductively coupled plasmas, exports 80% of its output. Its clients include manufacturers of microelectronic components and advanced materials for the electronic, biomedical and energy sectors. Tekna also supplies the world’s largest research centres, among them, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

In physics, plasma defines a state of matter that can reach a temperature of 10,000º Celsius, namely twice the Sun’s surface temperature, and admittedly it offers enormous potential for industrial applications. In the ‘90s, the firm designed an inductively coupled torch technology that thrust Tekna Plasma Systems into the spotlight in a very short period of time. Always ahead of the curve, the company has developed sophisticated equipment to bring powders (tungsten, zircon, silica, etc.) to a state of evaporation while purifying them to produce nanopowders whose usefulness is indisputable. For example, these nanopowders are used to miniaturize and lighten electronic appliances, give sunscreen creams protective properties and treat surfaces to make them rust proof.

Clearly, Tekna Plasma Systems has done everything right to succeed and remain competitive. Today, it stands as the world leader in its field and a major economic driver of the Estrie region.

The launching of this second company necessitated an overall investment of $6.8 million, part of which has been awarded through the Agency’s Community Adjustment Fund program. As Mr. Boulos explained, referring to the government: “Your receptivity, your encouragement and your financial support have, without a doubt, played a big part in our decision to go forward with this project at a time when the prognostications were anything but favourable. But today we can say that we beat the odds.”

Although government funding can serve as a lever, the success of enterprises lies first and foremost in the determination of entrepreneurs who, like Mr. Boulos, surround themselves with strong teams. Since 1990, Tekna Plasma Systems has been proof positive that it is possible to manipulate the infinitesimally small while seeing big!