Discover our Economic Newsletter Spring 2014. In this special issue - Head offices: Alimentation Couche-Tard, Novexco, Multi Recyclage, Contant, Kolostat and Joanel

1. ALAIN BOUCHARD
Alimentation Couche-Tard, p. 4
V O L U M E 2 3, No. 01
S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
N E W S L E T T E R
agropole | biotech city | e-pole
business services and head offices pole
industrial pole | leisure and tourism pole
ECONOM I C
NOVEXCO
Robert de Montigny
MULTI RECYCLAGE
Sylvain Demers
CONTANT
Chantal Contant
ALIMENTATION
COUCHE-TARD
Alain Bouchard
KOLOSTAT
Stan Segal
JOANEL
Johanne Boivin
SPECIAL ISSUE
HEAD OFFICES

2. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 02 –
A BOOMING BUSINESS
Novexco has been operating out of Laval
since day one. In 2011, the company moved
its head office to the Highway 25 Industrial
Park on the east side of Laval, a location
selected with the help of Laval Technopole.
In addition to providing great visibility
from Highway 440, the new facilities are
spacious enough for the company to gather
all employees in one place to better achieve
its objectives for growth in a booming city
with a thriving business community.
Novexco’s new premises also include some
13,000 m2
of warehouse space, increasing
the company’s storage capacity thanks
to convenient 9.8‑metre high ceilings.
Products are stored following precise
guidelines to rationalise logistics and
ensure delivery to customers anywhere
in Quebec within 24 hours. Novexco
offers over 16,000 products, 2,000 of
which were just added to the list in 2013.
The company continues to enjoy great
success and enhances customer loyalty by
diversifying its offering to meet demand.
“You always have to keep reinventing yourself
and innovating in an industry that isn’t really
that innovative to begin with,” says Robert de
Montigny. A born entrepreneur, his goal is
to continually expand the Novexco range of
products, making sure his company is always
at the leading edge of technology to reduce
errors and serve customers better than ever.
This commitment to innovation is one of the
many factors that enables Novexco to play its
part in helping the office supply industry grow.
According to de Montigny, the key to running
a successful business is developing a strategic
plan, focusing on objectives, persevering,
being thorough and keeping employees
well motivated. The president and CEO must
know what he’s talking about since Novexco
was recognized as one of Canada’s 50 best
managed companies by Deloitte in 2012.
A MAJOR ACQUISITION
In a transaction that met the business
objectives of both companies, Novexco
acquired the Canadian division of Lyreco
on January 1, 2014. The strategic partnership
created in the process provided Novexco
with the opportunity of serving Lyreco’s
international customers across Canada.
By combining their strengths and expertise,
Lyreco Canada and Novexco now
make up the largest Canadian‑owned
company in its field, and the third largest
overall in the Canadian market.
Thanks to its wide range of office products
and streamlined operations, Novexco
is phenomenally successful in Quebec.
And now that the company has acquired
Lyreco Canada, it has the means to satisfy
even more customers from coast to coast.
A QUEBEC LEADER
IN OFFICE PRODUCTS
NOVEXCO
Novexco came into being when two groups of independent office supply retailers, Sopa and Bureaulab, merged in 1996.
The 100% Canadian company offers a variety of innovative solutions in marketing, technology and office product procurement
through its network of BuroPLUS and Club express stores. It also sells directly to retailers and consumers through its business
divisions as well as online.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Robert de Montigny, president
and chief executive officer, at 514-335-8521
or at robert.demontigny@novexco.ca.
www.novexco.ca
Robert de Montigny, President
NOVEXCO ACQUIRED THE
CANADIAN DIVISION OF
LYRECO ON JANUARY 1, 2014.

3. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 03 –
QUEBEC’S DRY WASTE
RECYCLING EXPERTS
MULTI RECYCLAGE
Sylvain Demers founded Multi Recyclage in 1993 to provide an eco-friendly solution to treating dry waste. The Laval company sorts,
processes and reclaims as much debris from construction, renovation and demolition sites as possible, extending their services to
municipalities as well as commercial and residential customers across Quebec.
AN EXTENSIVE SERVICE OFFERING
With its head office in Laval, Multi Recyclage
is part of a growing network of companies
operating out of the bustling city. Nestled
between Montréal and the North Shore,
the third-largest city in Quebec is proving
to be a prime location for business operations
of every type.
Multi Recyclage rents out nearly
1,000 containers with capacities ranging
from 10 to 40 yd3
(7.6 to 30 m3
) to collect dry
waste materials – such as wood, brick and
concrete – from construction and demolition
sites. Discarded materials are brought to
the company’s sorting facility where they’re
separated mechanically as well as by hand
before being processed and reclaimed.
Multi Recyclage also provides demolition and
decontamination services for industrial sites.
MAXIMUM RECYCLING POWER
The Laval company currently recycles 80%
of the construction waste it collects, a figure
it hopes to raise to 100% within the next few
years. To achieve this goal, Multi Recyclage
is always on the lookout for new recycling
processes inspired by methods developed
in Europe, where the current benchmarks in
the field are being set. Multi Recyclage puts
its meticulous methods, expert knowledge
and imagination to work finding innovative
ways of enhancing dry waste sorting
techniques with maximum efficiency and
total respect for the environment.
“In business, you find success but you also
encounter failure. The important thing is to pick
yourself up, dust yourself off, and never give
up,” says Sylvain Demers. The Multi Recyclage
president adds that in order to succeed, you
need vision, the right team, and the ability
to communicate your objectives effectively so
everyone can work on achieving them together.
The company’s strong eco-conscience is
behind Multi Recyclage’s ongoing search for
new ways to convert recyclable dry materials
into a dependable resource for the future. But
contributing to sustainable development also
means minimizing landfill waste to ensure a
better world for future generations. Demers
hopes to educate Quebec municipalities and
businesses on the benefits of recycling and to
encourage them to send their dry waste to a
treatment facility rather than a landfill site.
While enjoying strong growth, Multi Recyclage
continues to build on its reputation for
excellence with a full range of services
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Sylvain Demers, President,
at 450-625-9191 or at sdemers@multirecyclage.com.
www.multirecyclage.com
and a comprehensive commitment to the
environment and the future. The variety of
sustainable solutions it offers for managing
dry waste provides an opportunity to
showcase Laval know-how across Quebec.
Sylvain Demers, President
THE COMPANY’S STRONG
ECO-CONSCIENCE IS BEHIND
MULTI RECYCLAGE’S ONGOING
SEARCH FOR NEW WAYS TO
CONVERT RECYCLABLE DRY
MATERIALS INTO A DEPENDABLE
RESOURCE FOR THE FUTURE.

4. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 04 –
A SOUND BUSINESS MODEL
Looking to build on a stellar reputation earned
across Canada, Couche-Tard continues its
expansion into international markets. The
company already operates some 12,500 stores
in 18 countries (6,000 in North America,
4,000 in Asia and 2,500 in Europe).
Couche‑Tard has been on a sustained growth
curve since day one, mainly because of an
expansion strategy that focuses on acquisitions
and affiliations with gas stations. In fact,
80% of Couche‑Tard locations sell fuel. Talk
about convenience! And in an effort to meet
customer needs even more, the company
has developed its own line of ready‑to‑eat
prepared foods that are flying off the shelves.
In the spring of 2012, the Laval multinational
acquired Norwegian gas station chain Statoil
to spearhead its Europe conquest. By adding
2,300 Statoil locations in eight Northern
European countries, Couche‑Tard has greatly
enhanced its position in this lucrative market.
In 2013, Couche‑Tard acquired 36 locations
in New Mexico, Florida and Georgia. These
stores – which now operate under the Circle K
banner – are at the core of the company’s
business plan for escalating activities in the
U.S. market as well.
Couche‑Tard is a major player in today’s
North American convenience store industry.
The company’s success is a tremendous
source of pride for all Quebecers. With
its remarkable growth on the international
market, Couche‑Tard is well on the way
to achieving its goal of operating 25,000
convenience stores worldwide, an ambition
it is certain to fulfill thanks to its dedicated
team and winning business strategy.
PART OF THE LAVAL LANDSCAPE
FOR OVER 30 YEARS
Couche-Tard’s first headquarters and service
centre were located in Laval. But by 2010, its
steady growth made larger premises a necessity.
When the time came to pick the ideal location
for the new Couche‑Tard offices, Alain Bouchard
brought his 260 Laval‑based employees
into the selection process. The decision was
unanimous, with everyone agreeing that Laval
offered the perfect blend of opportunities for
professional and personal development. The
youthful and vibrant city features a host of
advantages for Couche‑Tard corporate staff,
including an extensive public transportation
network and a short commute. The city also has
a rich pool of mostly bilingual skilled labour.
The new Couche‑Tard headquarters and
service centre were built in just 12 months, an
impressive accomplishment made possible by
Laval Technopole, which helped streamline the
process of finding land and getting construction
permits. Since the move in 2010, the company
has been operating out of 4,645 m2
of office
space, half of which is walled with windows to
create a work environment bathed in natural
light that is a real boost to employee well-being.
COUCHE-TARD PICKS LAVAL AS BASE
FOR ITS HEAD OFFICE
ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD
Alain Bouchard opened the first Couche-Tard convenience store back in 1980 in Laval. Every day since then, the company’s top priority
has been to provide a product offering that meets customer needs along with fast service. A Canadian leader in the convenience store
industry, Couche-Tard continues to enjoy phenomenal growth and shows no signs of slowing down.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact executive assistant, Martine Coutu,
at 450-662-6602 or at martine.coutu@couche-tard.com.
www.couche-tard.com
Alain Bouchard, President and Chief Operating Officer
COUCHE-TARD CONTINUES
ITS EXPANSION INTO
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

5. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 05 –
THREE DEALERSHIPS IN QUEBEC
The Contant head office has been in Laval
going back to day one when the company
first opened its doors for business. Since
taking over from her father, Chantal Contant,
Gaston’s granddaughter, has been upholding
the company’s mission of meeting customer
needs by providing them with world‑class
products and a buying experience second
to none. A number of other family members
also work for the company, each contributing
in their own special way to Contant’s
stellar reputation across Quebec.
Contant has been a leader in selling new
and used Bombardier recreational products at
competitive prices for over 40 years. The Laval
company offers a wide range of recreational
vehicles, including Ski-Doo snowmobiles,
Spyder three‑wheeled motorcycles and
Sea‑Doo jet‑skies, as well as an extensive
line of accessories, apparel and snow removal
equipment. To round out its offering and further
satisfy customer needs, Contant started making
its own brand of snow‑blowers in 1997.
Contant opened a second successful location
in Mirabel in 2008, doubling sales within
its first year. To keep the momentum going,
they opened a franchise in Sainte‑Agathe in
2009, adding jet‑skies to its range of products,
followed by Cypress Cay pontoons in 2010,
and Scarab and Centurion boats in 2014.
WORLD-CLASS SERVICE
What really makes Contant stand out from
the competition and keep its reputation strong
is its team of highly‑skilled BRP‑certified
technicians. Outstanding customer service
and sound personalized advice have always
been core concerns for the company. To
this end, Contant more than doubled its
workforce from 75 employees in 2008 to
155 in 2014. No wonder loyal customers
keep coming back year after year to upgrade
their products or buy new equipment.
While Contant does export products to Ontario
and New Brunswick, the company’s priority
remains staying on top in Quebec. “Our
goal is to cater to every need in the Quebec
marketplace to strengthen our position as the
dealership of choice for recreational products
and to ensure steady growth for our franchises,”
says Chantal Contant. Future plans include
expanding the Contant product line and opening
a fourth Quebec location in the next couple of
years, two major projects that speak volumes
about the company’s potential for growth.
Thanks to the synergy between its dealerships
and team of experts, Contant enjoys an
enduring reputation for excellence in
Quebec, while becoming the largest retailer
of Bombardier recreational products in
North America in the process.
LAVAL COMPANY SETS THE BENCHMARK
IN MOTORIZED RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS
CONTANT
Gaston Contant founded the company that bears his name in Laval in the 1930s. Incorporated in 1976, Contant today
distributes motorized recreational products through dealerships in Laval, Mirabel and Sainte‑Agathe. Third‑generation
president, Chantal Contant, is looking to expand to new markets in North America.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Chantal Contant, President,
at 450-666-6676 or at chantalcontant@contant.ca.
www.contant.ca
Chantal Contant, President
JOB CREATION
75
2008 2014
155employees employees

6. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 06 –
HEAD OFFICE MOVES
TO NEW LAVAL LOCATION
KOLOSTAT
LAVAL: THE CITY OF CHOICE
Heating contractors Samuel S. Segal and
Paul George Billick founded Kolostat, originally
setting up shop in Montréal. After earning a
stellar reputation with customers, the company
expanded its service offering, setting it on a
path to steady growth. The HVAC (heating,
ventilating and air‑conditioning) experts
relocated to Laval in 1970 to do business
with Rojec, a company Kolostat eventually
acquired in 2010. With business booming,
a move to expanded office space became a
necessity. Stan Segal and John Billick, sons
of the founders and current top executives,
agreed that staying in Laval was the best
option since half their 250 employees already
worked in the bustling city, directly contributing
more than ever to Kolostat’s success. The
company also has some 60 staff members in
Ontario, including 10 at the Toronto office.
The Kolostat team began working in their
new 2,787 m2
location in January, a more
spacious and comfortable environment that
promotes both growth and productivity.
As an added bonus, employees have easy
access to two major highways (the 440
and the 15) and public transportation
which makes getting to work a breeze.
INNOVATION AND QUALITY
REMAIN TOP PRIORITIES
Kolostat credits its multidisciplinary team for
its ongoing achievements. The ability of these
talented individuals to carry out complex
projects and their one‑of‑a‑kind approach
to innovation guarantee that projects are
delivered on time and within budget, key
factors in keeping customers satisfied.
Kolostat designs and installs high‑performance
mechanical systems for existing buildings as
well as those under construction, a level of
expertise that can deliver maximum energy
efficiency and comfort for occupants in
buildings of all types. Kolostat also offers
personalized preventive maintenance services
to meet precise customer needs and ensure
flawless functioning of all HVAC equipment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Stan Segal, President,
at 514-333-7333, extension 333
or at ssegal@kolostat.com.
www.kolostat.com
When Kolostat opened for business in 1927, it specialized in heating systems exclusively. A lot has changed since then with the company
expanding and diversifying its offering. Today, Kolostat designs, installs and maintains high‑quality mechanical systems for buildings that
specifically meet the energy‑efficiency needs and concerns of its customers. The company just recently moved into a new head office in
Laval, a change that highlights its sustained growth and solidifies its position as a leader in mechanical building systems.
Innovation is at the core of all Kolostat’s
operations. While engineers and designers
customize their approach to cater to the exact
requirements of each project, they always
implement best practices acquired in previous
undertakings in the process. By making safe and
optimal use of the latest technologies available,
these highly‑skilled professionals continue to
develop the most innovative solutions in the
field. “We’re proud to help clients like Bell
Canada and Hagen become LEED certified.
The Hagen building was one of the first in
Quebec to earn this prestigious certification,”
says Kolostat president, Stan Segal.
With over 85 years of successful experience
under its belt, Kolostat is an undisputed leader
in high-quality, efficient and sustainable
mechanical systems. The decision to remain
in Laval will prove to be another winning
choice for the company as it continues to
evolve in an environment built for success.
Stan Segal, President
KOLOSTAT HIGHLY‑SKILLED
PROFESSIONALS CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP THE MOST INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS IN THE FIELD.

7. ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 07 –
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Nathalie Roberge, Vice-President of strategic
and international development, at 450-963-6069,
extension 5224 or at nroberge@joanel.ca.
www.joanel.ca
A PROMINENT FEATURE
ON THE LAVAL LANDSCAPE
In 2007, JOANEL INC. converted a
heritage home in Laval into an energy‑efficient
facility that includes a design studio and an
international distribution centre. The 2,508 m2
head office conserves considerable energy
thanks to eco-friendly practices. Boivin’s
commitment to sustainable development
and its meticulous management approach
won JOANEL INC. two Dunamis Awards
in 2008 in the “Investment Project” and
“Distributor‑Wholesaler” categories.
In 2012, the company opened a 278.8 m2
flagship store on Le Carrefour Boulevard in
Laval. The chic and sleek boutique is the perfect
venue for JOANEL INC. to display and promote
its brands and trendsetting collections of
carefully crafted products, high‑quality leather
and synthetic fashion handbags, wallets, wine
holders, as well as travel and office accessories.
While showcasing its know‑how across
North America, the company has experienced
sustained growth thanks to its online store
and network of 2,000 points of sales
across Canada and the U.S. where its
products are available. JOANEL INC.
also designs private label collections of
accessories and handbags for Canadian
multinationals like Cirque du Soleil,
Bureau en Gros, Sears and Pajar.
SUSTAINED GROWTH
IN THE U.S. MARKET
JOANEL INC. participated in the
“Internationalizing your SME” program
developed by the International Business
Centre in collaboration with Mercadex in
2011. The following year, the company
started exporting goods to the U.S. after
entering into an agreement with hotel giant
MGM Resorts International for distribution
of high‑end products in stores throughout
its luxury properties in Las Vegas.
The Laval house of design is currently in talks
with Macy’s chain of department stores
about creating a partnership to help build
up its presence in the U.S. even more.
JOANEL INC. generates 5% of its sales outside
Quebec, a figure it hopes to raise with its
new smart bag. Part of the LUX collection, the
product has an LED lighting system built into its
lining. The patented smart fabric technology is
designed to make life easier for today’s modern
woman to quickly locate items in the bag.
With over 35 years’ experience in the fashion
industry under her very stylish belt, Boivin is
an undisputed leading light, combining her
expertise and creative talent to design elegant
contemporary collections with mass appeal.
The company president stresses how important
it is to “stay focused on your goals and let
your creative passions run free” in order
to stand out in the leather goods industry.
Boivin plans to keep expanding her business
here in Canada while increasing exports
to U.S. markets, an objective that should not
present a problem thanks to a wide range
of stylish, superior‑quality products.
When noted designer and businesswoman Johanne Boivin founded JOANEL INC. in 1991, she set up shop in Laval, a city well on the
way to becoming a fashion destination of choice, just a few years later. JOANEL INC. produces handbags, fashion accessories and
other leather goods for men and women marketed under four well-known labels: Ugo Santini, Joanel, Mouflon and Edgar & Sooky.
Johanne Boivin, President
A CANADIAN LEADER
IN THE LEATHER GOODS INDUSTRY
JOANEL INC.

8. SYLVIE GAUTHIER
Director, Marketing
and Communication
CLAIRE MONTEIL
Senior Advisor, Marketing
and Communication
SPRING 2014
ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER
PUBLISHED BY:
LAVAL TECHNOPOLE
1555 Chomedey Boulevard
Suite 100
Laval, Quebec, H7V 3Z1
Telephone: 450-978-5959
Fax: 450-978-5970
info@lavaltechnopole.com
www.lavaltechnopole.com
30
POS

9. V O L U M E 2 3, No. 01
S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
INTERNATIONAL
N E W S L E T T E R
LAVAL TECHNOPOLE
International Business Centre
OLYMPIC VETERANS
Following its resounding success at the
London Olympics, Show Canada won its
biggest contract to date, the Sochi Games.
With international clients looking to benefit
from its expertise and innovative concepts,
it’s no wonder the company brings in
80% of its sales from foreign markets.
Show Canada designed most of the set
structures used to install the 13,000 m2
floor
inside Fisht Olympic Stadium. From floating
islands 30 metres long to massive stage
lifts and expandable columns, presenting
a project of this magnitude proved to be
an awesome technical feat for the firm.
Show Canada only had 10 months to meet
the challenge, which required staff to make
full use of their resourcefulness and creativity.
Close to 200 people put their talents to work
in Laval, building and testing materials with
total attention to detail. Once up to code,
set and stage pieces were assembled and
tested in the old Dominion Bridge facilities
in Lachine under top secret security before
being shipped in sealed containers by
cargo jet for final assembly in Sochi.
WORKING IN RUSSIA
To ensure smooth running of operations
for the Olympics project, Labadie opened
a Russian division of Show Canada
with offices in Moscow and Sochi. The
International Business Centre was a great
help to the company, expediting visa requests
for employees, with the support of the
international mobility service of the Centre
local de développement (CLD), and providing
sound advice on banking matters and the
law. Labadie plans to use Show Canada’s
new business presence in Russia to expand
activities there over the next few years.
The weather in Sochi was tough on the
80 Show Canada employees on location.
For example, the open roof of the stadium
lead to an accumulation of rainwater that
resulted in equipment requiring replacement.
“I’m so proud of my staff for not giving up,
no matter what the working conditions
were” says Labadie. Weather issues
aside, the president of Show Canada
encourages Canadian entrepreneurs
to look into the Russian market and
the many business opportunities in
the manufacturing sector there.
Since delivering an exceptional
product seen around the world,
Show Canada has been offered a
number of other high-profile projects,
including the 2016 Summer Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 FIFA World Cup
in Russia. The Laval company also plans to
expand to markets in China where it will
open a 13,006 m2
factory in June.
Thanks to its extensive list of amazing
technical achievements, Show Canada was
given the opportunity of showcasing Quebec
expertise in Russia, thrilling audiences
around the world with its know-how and
creativity in the process. More than just a
great success story, Show Canada proves
that the show must go on… no matter what!
Since founding Show Canada in 1999, Jean Labadie has been blowing audiences away
with a string of world-class projects, including set design pieces for Cirque du Soleil shows
and ensuring the optimal performance of technical elements at the Vancouver and London
Olympics. This year, Show Canada designed the set elements for the opening and closing
ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, an amazing technical achievement
that makes the Laval company a recognized global leader in the field of scenography.
LAVAL EXPERTISE WINS
GOLD AT SOCHI OLYMPICS
SHOW CANADA
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Show Canada Industries
at 450-664-5155 or at info@show-canada.ca.
www.show-canada.com

10. INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 02 –
I’M LEAVING YOU IN GOOD HANDS
WHILE I’M ON LEAVE
I’m pleased to announce that
Bruno Séguin, an advisor at the
Laval Technopole International Business
Centre for the past eight years, will take
over as the department interim director
while I’m on a one-year maternity leave
beginning in April 2014.
I have every confidence Bruno will do a
terrific job thanks to his many talents and
the support of our team of professionals
dedicated to ensuring your success in
exporting your products and services.
Bruno and his team will continue to uphold
the International Business Centre’s mission of
supporting Laval entrepreneurs by putting
them into contact with the right people
and providing them with the tools they
need to build and maintain a strong
reputation worldwide.
The businesses featured in this newsletter
are all exporters we’ve had the pleasure of
working with in their quest to conquer new
markets around the world.
For 2014-2015, it’s time to develop
the International Business Centre’s new
three-year strategic plan, so we’ll be
consulting with you once again to ensure
that we continue to meet your needs
and expectations.
I look forward to seeing all of you
again in a year’s time. Happy reading!
VÉRONIQUE PROULX
EMBA
Colombia offers great business
opportunities for Quebec SMEs in a
host of sectors. On January 24, Colombian
President, Juan Manuel Santos, tweeted an
announcement during the Davos Forum stating
his country’s economy now ranks third in Latin
America, just behind Brazil and Mexico.
A MARKET MADE FOR QUEBEC SME
Colombia is among the most promising
emerging countries thanks to a combination
of favourable factors, including economic and
political stability, a growing middle class, a
successful government-backed security
strategy, and a modern, diversified economy
with a large domestic market. Quebec SMEs
also have easier access for exports there
thanks to the preferential trade agreement
between Canada and Colombia that came
into effect on August 15, 2011.
According to Export Development Canada
(EDC), these are the key sectors for
Quebec companies:
• Construction and infrastructure
• Electricity
• Environmental infrastructure and wastewater
• Machinery – Packaging, industrial
and analytical instruments
• Oil and natural gas
• Telecom
From a demographic standpoint, the average
Colombian is 30 years old. There are also
9.5 million people over 50, a number that is
expected to reach 11.8 million in 2020.
Colombia is a relatively untapped market for
businesses with products and services for
seniors, specifically in the housing, healthcare,
tourism and financial services sectors. Of
course older consumers are more inclined
to be loyal to a brand, and to purchase
traditional products that are easy to handle.
On my last trip to Colombia, as part of a
trade mission organized by the International
Business Centre, I was pleasantly surprised to
find out that Colombian entrepreneurs have a
very high opinion of their Laval counterparts.
Colombians tend to favour northern countries
over European or Asian ones when doing
business. The similarities between our two
cultures greatly facilitate business exchanges
as well.
CHALLENGES WITH OPPORTUNITIES
As you can see, the Colombian market is very
buoyant, but ensuring sustained growth could
be tricky because of existing infrastructures.
For example, according to the EDC’s chief
economist, inland transport costs within the
country are five times higher than freight
charges between Asia and Colombia. In
order to address this issue, the government
has launched an ambitious $27 billion
infrastructure improvement program. Another
area that remains of concern despite
government initiatives is public institutions,
especially the regulatory process and ongoing
security and corruption issues. Fortunately, a
number of solutions have been designed to
mitigate the risks for SMEs.
In view of Colombia’s immense potential and
benefits for our businesses, the EDC officially
inaugurated a new representation in Bogotá
(its 16th
representation abroad) in February
2014 to help meet the current and future
needs of Canadian stakeholders in this
thriving market.
Will you be taking advantage of the
Colombian boom? If you’re interested
in this market, please contact me.
WHY NOT COLOMBIA?
BLOGGER’S CORNER
COUNTRY’S ECONOMY
NOW RANKS THIRD IN LATIN
AMERICA, JUST BEHIND
BRAZIL AND MEXICO.
A WORD FROM
THE DIRECTOR
Caroline Bouchard
Visit our blog at
www.lavaltechnopole.org/cailt

11. INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 03 –
Louis Leclair is the driving force behind
Fourgons Transit, the company his mother
founded in Laval in 1978.
The family business has 200 employees.
In its 11,613 m2
factory, they build a wide
range of truck bodies for use in various
industries. The company currently delivers
2,000 units annually and continues to
expand to markets across Canada.
Fourgons Transit has been exporting truck
bodies to our Ontario neighbours since the fall
of 2013. With the Laval company hoping to
generate 5% of sales outside Quebec by the
end of this year, joining the “Internationalizing
your SME” program developed by the
International Business Centre in collaboration
with Mercadex was a very smart move.
The International Business Centre’s
personalized coaching is helping
Leclair and his team develop a winning
internationalization strategy through a
Marc-André Bovet founded BONE Structure®
in Laval in 2005 with the goal of transforming
the housing and construction industries. The
idea behind the company is simple: use steel
structures that can be assembled easily to
create energy‑efficient contemporary living
spaces. Inspired by automotive and aerospace
engineering, BONE Structure technology is
on its way to giving the worldwide housing
industry a well‑deserved makeover.
BONE Structure is already on the road
to success in Canada as the first step in
introducing its revolutionary concept to the rest
of the world. Bovet anticipates generating 80%
of 2014 sales outside Quebec while promoting
production and job creation right here at
home. To meet this objective, BONE Structure
took part in the “Internationalizing your SME”
program developed by the International
Business Centre in collaboration with
Mercadex. The International Business
Centre’s customized coaching helped the
structured approach based on in-depth market
research. The Fourgons Transit president says
export procedures can be quite complex and
should never be taken lightly. Being prepared
for doing business in targeted markets is the
only way to go. In the long term, the company
plans to export to the Northeastern U.S.,
another very promising neighbouring market.
company develop an action plan to break
into various markets, including Ontario and
British Columbia, where BONE Structure
started building its first homes earlier this
year. Bovet also plans to open sales offices in
Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and California
by 2015. He encourages Laval entrepreneurs
to really get to know the ins and outs of
targeted markets and to find the right support
when it comes to export procedures to
ensure they have all the bases covered.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Louis Leclair, President,
at 514-382-0104 or at lleclair@transit.ca.
www.transit.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Marc-André Bovet, President,
at 450-978-0602 or at bovet@BONEstructure.ca.
www.bonestructure.ca
FOURGONS TRANSIT
BONE STRUCTURE
BUILDING A SOLID REPUTATION
IN HOUSING TECHNOLOGY
CANADIAN LEADER
IN TRUCK BODY MANUFACTURING

12. INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014– 04 –
Founded in Laval in 2010, Devrun specializes
in web analytics. The company has eight
employees to deliver website design and
optimization services to small and big
businesses in both Quebec and the U.S. At
present, 30% of Devrun’s sales are US‑based.
The Laval company plans to continue
enhancing its reputation as it expands into the
U.S. market. In an effort to achieve this goal,
Devrun took part, in December 2013, in the
International Business Centre’s trade mission in
California. The one‑of‑a‑kind experience helped
Devrun management score their first contract
with solar‑energy giant SunPower Corporation
and presented the opportunity for both parties
to outline the first steps in the project then and
there. California is ground zero for innovative
companies at the leading edge of technology
Sotech Nitram opened its doors for business in
1981. Jacinthe Martin, the founder’s daughter,
is now at the wheel of the transportation
brokerage family business. Established in
Laval since 2002, the third-party logistics (3PL)
provider offers land, air, sea and rail transport
services for shipments originating from or
destined to anywhere in North America.
Thanks to its variety of Canadian and U.S.
partners, the company derives 95% of its
sales from cross-border transport. In an effort
to increase its U.S. customer base, Sotech
Nitram took part in the International Business
Centre’s trade mission to California in
December 2013. The event gave Martin the
perfect opportunity to meet with potential
business partners, including several leaders of
3PL firms, with the goal of building strategic
looking for the right service providers to meet
their needs. According to Devrun president,
Jonathan Roy, making first contact with potential
clients is always the hardest part in getting new
business. His advice to anyone contemplating
exporting is to carry out thorough market
research so you really know where you’re
going and to spare no effort in making sure
you have a clear, well developed service
offer before you get there.
alliances. The company president encourages
businesses to consult with specialists like
those at the International Business Centre when
dealing with export procedures to help speed
up the process and take advantage of their
extensive knowledge of world markets. With
over 30 years of solid experience under its belt,
Sotech Nitram and its team of professionals
provide transportation solutions designed to
exceed even the highest customer expectations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Jonathan Roy, President,
at 514-323-2992, extension 100,
or at jonathan.roy@devrun.com.
www.devrun.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Jacinthe Martin, President,
at 514-975-2100, extension 530,
or at j.martin@sotechnitram.com.
www.sotechnitram.com
SOTECH NITRAM
DESTINATION: NORTH AMERICA
SPRING 2014 INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY: LAVAL TECHNOPOLE
1555 Chomedey Boulevard, Suite 100, Laval, Quebec, H7V 3Z1
Telephone: 450-978-5959 I Fax: 450-978-5970 I info@lavaltechnopole.com I www.lavaltechnopole.com/ltibc
The LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre receives financial support from:
DEVRUN
A SMALL COMPANY WITH BIG IDEAS
30
POS