Government of Canada Grants Financial Support to Two Rouyn-Noranda Enterprises

ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 13, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, took the opportunity while in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region today to announce that the firms Géliko Inc. and Multilab Direct have been granted financial assistance to improve their performance, notably through the acquisition of equipment.

"To the Government of Canada, economic prosperity is achieved through investments like the ones Géliko Inc. and Multilab Direct are preparing to make to bolster their production capabilities and competitiveness," said Minister Lebel.

Founded in 2000, Géliko Inc. manufactures hydraulic cylinders as well as metal parts for drilling companies. The firm's hydraulic cylinders are mainly used in heavy machinery, nacelles, and mining, forestry and agricultural equipment. Géliko, which had 25 employees at the start of the project, expects to increase that number to 30 by its completion.

In operation in Rouyn-Noranda since 2002, Multilab Direct is a laboratory specializing in the environmental analysis of, among other things, water, soil, mud and sediment. The company provides services to some 200 clients in the mining and forest industries, municipalities and engineering firms. Multilab Direct currently employs 22 people and expects to create two new jobs with this project.

"Our government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," concluded Minister Lebel.

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This assistance, granted in the form of two repayable financial contributions totalling $476,372, has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program. Of this amount, Géliko Inc. will receive $365,272 for the acquisition of new technological equipment that will enable the firm to provide faster service to its existing customers and attract a larger clientele. Multilab Direct, for its part, will receive $111,100 for the purchase of laboratory equipment that will help increase its production capacity and productivity.

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