Government of Canada Lends Financial Support to Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA Inc.

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 29, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the awarding of $582,240 in repayable funding to Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA Inc. for the commercialization of a new technology derived from research and development.

Minister Lebel, who was unable to be present for the news conference, applauded the creativity of the Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA team. "The Government of Canada is proud to support a firm whose innovative solutions and services are helping to improve the productivity of enterprises operating in the metal processing industry, a priority sector for the Mauricie economy."

According to company president Éric Bélanger, this project will have resulted in the creation of 14 full-time jobs by the end of 2011.

For nearly 20 years, Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA Inc. has been recognized as an industry leader for its know-how and innovativeness in the development and manufacture of automated industrial equipment. The latest output from the firm's research and development activities, a technology known as the Beam Master, allows for the automated manufacture of metal parts currently being produced manually. The technology is unique in that soldering operations can be programmed automatically, without the need for human intervention.

The enterprise will use this financial assistance from Canada Economic Development to hire a sales professional and design a demonstration showcase, take part in trade shows and develop promotional tools.

This funding, which will help Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA develop new markets and increase its domestic and foreign sales, has been granted through the Business and Regional Growth program, an initiative aimed at helping Quebec businesses engage in more innovation in order to boost their performance and competitiveness.

For more on Avant-Garde Technologie CFMA Inc.: http://agtech.qc.ca/en/home

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