A strategic partnership to propel manufacturing innovation in Gatineau

Tashi Farmilo

A newly announced partnership between Investissement et Développement Gatineau (ID Gatineau) and the Association for the Development of Research and Innovation of Quebec (ADRIQ) is set to accelerate innovation within the region’s manufacturing sector. The initiative will provide 10 selected companies with specialized support from ADRIQ’s accredited consultants, aiming to enhance their technological transformation and competitiveness.

Under this agreement, each company will receive 30 hours of strategic consulting tailored to its growth and innovation needs. With ID Gatineau covering 75% of the cost, businesses will only be required to pay a fraction of the total investment. This financial backing underscores the city’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and innovative business environment.

For ADRIQ, this collaboration aligns seamlessly with its core mission. “This agreement fully supports ADRIQ’s mission to guide Quebec companies along their innovation journey,” said Marilyn Rémillard, Director of Communications and Events at ADRIQ. “By joining forces with ID Gatineau, we want to offer Outaouais manufacturing businesses privileged access to experts, tools, and strategic resources to accelerate their technological transformation and competitiveness.”

Yet, the road to innovation is not without its challenges. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with the adoption of new technologies, access to financing, and internal change management. “One of the major challenges we anticipate for selected companies is the effective adoption of new technologies and the integration of innovation into their business processes,” Rémillard added. “Often, SMEs face obstacles such as limited internal resources, difficulty securing funding, or resistance to change within their teams.

ADRIQ’s expert consultants will provide personalized diagnostics and recommendations tailored to their realities. Our approach is pragmatic: we want each company to quickly implement concrete solutions and achieve measurable returns on investment.”

The selected companies must meet ID Gatineau’s eligibility criteria, including being located within the Gatineau region and demonstrating the potential to benefit from this high-level support.

“This agreement represents a unique opportunity for Gatineau manufacturing companies to access strategic resources and high-caliber support,” said Sylvie Charrette, General Manager of ID Gatineau. “Together with ADRIQ, we aim to create an environment conducive to innovation, allowing our companies to prosper and stand out in competitive markets.”

With Quebec’s business landscape becoming increasingly competitive, public-private collaborations like this one may prove essential to ensuring that local manufacturers not only survive but thrive in an evolving global economy.