Avant-Garde Technologie's BeamMaster: a robot that can think

A native of the Lotbinière community of Sainte-Françoise, Éric Bélanger is a mechanical engineer who had dreamed about going into business for himself ever since his last year of university, back in 1990. After graduation, chance—or maybe it was fate—brought him to the Mauricie region for a course in business startup and management. And he's been there ever since!  In 1992, he founded Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA Inc. This compulsive entrepreneur cut his teeth as president of the Trois-Rivières junior chamber of commerce, a position he held from 1998 to 1999.

A revolutionary innovation!

Headquartered in Trois-Rivières, this highly-innovative firm has developed a new technology called the BeamMaster. The result of extensive research and development, this innovation makes it possible to robotically produce structural steel beams that, until now, have been manufactured by hand. The welding operations are automatically programmed, eliminating the need for human intervention. Now that's one smart robot!

The BeamMaster offers countless applications in a wide variety of areas of expertise: robotized equipment for the metals sector, aeronautics, transportation and many more.

This project answers a need in the structural steel industry. As well as creating specialized jobs, it also strengthens the region's economic base. "Nine jobs will be created in the first year of operation and at least five more the following year," explains Éric Bélanger. With the commercialization of this new technology, AGT hopes to expand into new markets and thereby increase its domestic and foreign sales.

With the use of this revolutionary technology developed by AGT, the time required to produce a single beam drops from 100 hours to a mere 45 minutes!  Demand for the product is both great—and global: steel beam manufacturers in Western Canada, the United States and even Australia are clambering to get their hands on one of these robots.

The enterprise called upon Canada Economic Development for assistance with the commercialization of this new innovation. The financial support from the Agency enabled AGT to carry out a range of activities, including establishing a technology showcase, taking part in commercial fairs and trade shows, developing promotional tools, conducting demonstrations for prospective customers and hiring a sales representative for target markets in Canada and the United States.  

The Mauricie firm has managed to ally itself with partners recognized for their expertise in the areas of 3D imaging and robotized welding. As a result, it is now able to demonstrate the applications of its new technology in real-use situations. This complementarity is not only a significant advantage for AGT, it's also a boon for the customers using this technology.

Stepping up the pace…

Left to right: Éric Bélanger, President, Louis Dicaire, VP Development, and Francois Simard, VP Production

Though the enterprise is already enjoying bustling growth, Éric Bélanger is always looking to take things further and faster... He hopes to increase his current staff force of 60 to more than 100 by the time the commercialization project of his star product is completed.

The evolution of this company, which will soon be celebrating its 20th anniversary, can be summed up in four key stages of development: recognition, niche identification, specialization and commercialization.

AGT has always managed to adapt to its customers' needs thanks to its innovativeness, creativity and ongoing investment in applied research and development. Completion of this smart robot project is an important milestone in the company's growth and success, and one that may well require the firm to expand both its engineering department and manufacturing shop.

Back to the books

Ever eager to fine-tune his skills as a manager and entrepreneur, Mr. Bélanger will be heading back to the École d’Entrepreneurship de Beauce (EEB) in September 2011 for the second year of a program intended exclusively for business executives. This will allow him to be solidly in the saddle for the commercialization of the BeamMaster.

Éric Bélanger, president

So what is Éric Bélanger most proud of? "My team," he says without hesitation. "Every member is an expert in robotics, a key niche of Quebec's high-technology sector." Another source of pride for him was the visit he was paid this past July by the world's largest robotics manufacturer, who had come for a first-hand look at AGT's home-grown innovation. "We are extremely proud to be able to produce advanced technology here, in Trois-Rivières, with local labour that is committed to what we're doing."

In addition to contributing to the vitality of the Mauricie economy, Avant-Garde Technologie distinguishes itself by offering stimulating, well-paying, quality jobs to young people from the region.