With 3 businesses supported in 2018-2019, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ Nord-du-Québec injected more than $1 million in the local economy
Highlights
- In fiscal 2018-2019, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ Nord-du-Québec invested $1,023,214 in three regional companies.
- The partner companies are: Exploration Kintavar Inc., M.A.S. Chibougamau Inc. and Yvan du sport Inc.
- Since their creation in 1996, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ Nord-du-Québec have invested $28.4 million in the region.
Chibougamau, June 26, 2019 – In fiscal 2018-2019, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ Nord-du-Québec invested in M.A.S. Chibougamau Inc. and in Yvan du sport Inc. These investments were two of three made during the past year, bringing the total to over $1 million for the FRS in Nord-du-Québec.
M.A.S. Chibougamau wants to become a one-stop shop
M.A.S. Chibougamau (MAS) specializes in the wholesale and retail distribution of industrial products and services to the mining, forestry, heavy industry and automotive sectors. Recognized as the leading distributor of industrial supplies in Nord-du-Québec, MAS also offers repair and engineering services through a strong network of business partners.
“The investment made by the FRS has enabled us to transfer ownership of the company to employees who have become shareholders. It also gives us more leeway to continue our market development efforts. We want to position MAS as a one-stop shop for mining and forestry companies in the region and become THE reference in Nord-du-Québec for service and industrial parts,” said Alain Bradette, president of M.A.S. Chibougamau.
Yvan du sport revamps its facilities
Established in Chibougamau for more than 35 years, the retailer changed banner in 2018 from Intersport to Sports Experts and has been owned by Sonia Mailhot and Claude Rivard since 2008. The loan from the FRS will be used to finance leasehold improvements to the building that houses the business. In addition to the retail space, the building houses a repair shop, administrative offices and storage space.
“Our mission is to meet the needs of active families up to the aspirations of the most passionate sports enthusiasts. Thanks to the support of the FRS, we will be able to offer our customers a renovated and redesigned space to better serve them,” said Yvan du Sports owners Sonia Mailhot and Claude Rivard.
“Our investment teams are interested in companies that operate in a wide variety of sectors. Their common denominator is that they all demonstrate vision and develop promising projects to ensure their company’s growth and expansion. M.A.S. Chibougamau and Yvan du Sport are great examples of this and we are proud to support such dynamic entrepreneurs. These companies make a tangible contribution to our positive results in the regional economy,” stated Édith Gaudet, Regional Vice President, Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ Nord-du-Québec, Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions.
A well-entrenched and healthy FRS network
In fiscal 2018-2019, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ invested a total of $120,662,030 in 117 Québec businesses. This was an exceptionally strong year in terms of investments and number of files handled since the creation of the Fonds régionaux in 1996.
“Thanks to the Fonds régionaux, we’ve been able to develop a strong network on the ground and boost our presence in every region of Québec. Our investment teams and board members are very close to the business communities they serve. They are therefore well placed to understand local issues and propose financing solutions that meet the needs of the region’s entrepreneurs. These solid results attest to the strength of our network and our contribution to the vitality of the regional economy,” concluded Luc Pinard, President and CEO of the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ.
About the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ have been participating in the economic development of Québec’s regions for over 23 years. An integral part of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ network, the Fonds régionaux have invested $918 million in 1,434 projects since their inception in 1996, helping to create, maintain or protect 51,846 jobs.
About M.A.S. Chibougamau
Founded in 1962 in Chibougamau, M.A.S. Chibougamau (MAS) is a multi-service centre specializing in the wholesale and retail distribution of industrial products and services for the mining, forestry and heavy industry sectors. It also serves the automotive market through its alliance with Uni-select and Auto Parts Plus. In addition, MAS offers repair and engineering services through a strong network of business partners such as Applied Industrial Technologies and Delom Services.
MAS holds distribution rights for SPI Health and Safety products and services since summer 2015 and is the exclusive distributor for Lépine maintenance products.
About Yvan du sport
Operating under the Sports Experts banner, Yvan du Sport is a retailer specializing in brand-name sporting goods and apparel such as Adidas, Arc'teryx, Columbia, Nike, GoPro, Lolë, Mountain Hardwear, Nike, North Face, Oakley and Under Armor. The store also sells equipment and supplies for camping and outdoor activities and has a pro shop on site offering skate sharpening, ski repair, racket stringing, bike repair and other services.
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