Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ partner with EntreChefs PME's Regional Forums : Daring to do things differently, practical approaches to innovation

Boucherville, Drummondville, Jonquière, Laval, Lévis, Montréal, Rimouski, January 15, 2026

The Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ were the official partner of the EntreChefs PME Regional Forums tour, held from October 15 to November 20, 2025, under the theme Daring to do things differently: practical approaches to innovation. The seven forums explored real-world examples of innovation through testimonials from entrepreneurs and experts, as well as hands-on workshops designed to help move ideas into action. The Clubs des repreneurs [Successor Clubs], dedicated to the next generation of business leaders, were launched at the Montréal Regional Forum.

"Innovation is a powerful lever for growth and long-term resilience and we see this every day on the ground. The teams at the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ support entrepreneurs who bring fresh perspectives and help modernize business practices, even in sectors long considered traditional. In today's environment, it's essential to back companies that turn challenges into opportunities for innovation, strengthening the vitality of our regions. We commend EntreChefs PME, a long-standing partner, for an initiative recognized across the entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Luc Pinard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ.

"The EntreChefs PME Regional Forums bring together entrepreneurs and experts who share the same ambition: building strong, resilient businesses. Like the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ, we believe innovation is essential for SMEs and that this momentum is built through the sharing of knowledge and experience, strengthening their ability to respond to today's and tomorrow's challenges," said Diane Arseneau, Executive Director of EntreChefs PME.

Innovative approaches from Fonds régionaux partner companies

Over the past 10 years, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ have supported the business succession of more than 570 Québec small and medium-sized enterprises through financing as well as strategic and human support, particularly to help seize innovation opportunities that are essential to growth and long-term viability.

During panel discussions, entrepreneurs and experts from the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ and partner companies shared insights into the benefits and impacts of innovation, drawing on their firsthand experience.

• Regional Forum in Boucherville: Growth and technological transformation

Johanne Pilon, Regional Vice-President, Montérégie, led a discussion with Stéphane Guérin, President of Max-Atlas, a container-chassis manufacturer that has automated its production to increase productivity and strengthen resilience. The discussion highlighted the importance of investing to support a long-term vision and effectively managing change.

• Regional Forum in Rimouski: Boosting productivity through innovative practices / Market consolidation through differentiation

David Lord, Regional Vice-President, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Côte-Nord, spoke with Jean-François Bouchard, General Manager of Utopie MFG, the largest ski manufacturing plant in North America. The SME has implemented robotics and automation to improve productivity, consolidate its market position and offer more meaningful roles to its teams. For Mr. Bouchard, continuous innovation is essential to differentiation.

• Regional Forum in Drummondville: A refreshed corporate culture / Innovation rooted in continuity

Stéphanie Labonté, Investment Director, Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ – Estrie, spoke with Pierre-Luc Auclair, Chief Executive Officer of Construction Longer. This regional leader successfully embraced a culture of innovation, inclusion and sustainable development while preserving the DNA of a company founded more than 45 years ago.

• Regional Forum in Jonquière: Leadership transition: balancing continuity and change / Business succession: a strategic 180-degree shift

Julie Boulianne, Regional Vice-President, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec, spoke with Bruno Lefebvre, General Manager and Chief Financial Officer, and Joël Lavoie, Plant Manager at Chocolaterie des pères. In response to rising cocoa prices and changing market conditions, the new leadership team moved quickly to innovate across management practices, customer relations, products and packaging. This strategic shift was made possible by a clear vision and the successor team's ability to mobilize the workforce.

Long-standing partners, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ and EntreChefs PME share a strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurship in Québec.

About EntreChefs PME

For more than 50 years, EntreChefs PME has supported owners and leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises throughout their entrepreneurial journey. Their mission is to bring these leaders together within a community committed to long-term resilience and sustainability. In this context, their clubs offer business owners a safe space to address challenges, make informed decisions and support the growth of Quebec SMEs. EntreChefs PME brings together more than 2,200 members across 245 clubs in Québec, with additional chapters in Belgium, Switzerland and New Brunswick.

About the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ

Part of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ network, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ help further regional economic development in Québec by channelling the savings of more than 816,000 Quebecers into local investments. Since their creation in 1996, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ have invested $1.9 billion in more than 1,800 companies.

Through 17 offices across Québec, the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ offer small and medium-sized enterprises customized business solutions in the form of unsecured loans or equity investments. Each product is designed to reflect the company's characteristics and the regional economic environment, complementing financing provided by traditional financial institutions.

– 30 –