SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury is open to removing Russian aluminum producer Rusal from a U.S. sanctions list, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday, adding the objective was “not to put Rusal out of business.”

FILE PHOTO: Aluminium ingots which were made at the Rusal Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter are seen in this illustration taken May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin/File Photo​

Mnuchin’s comment was the latest indication the Trump administration was trying to aid sanctions-hit Rusal, which has taken a series of steps to try to appease the U.S. government and get the restrictions lifted.

The U.S. Treasury in April imposed sanctions against billionaire Oleg Deripaska and the eight companies in which he is a large shareholder, including Rusal, in response to what it called “malign activities” by Russia. But the sanctions caused havoc in the global aluminum market, prompting several countries and companies to successfully lobby Treasury for a softening of the terms on Rusal.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talks during an interview with Reuters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brazil July 20, 2018. REUTERS/Nacho Doce​

“The company has approached us on certain de-listing issues (from the Specially Designated Nationals List),” Mnuchin said in an interview with Reuters in São Paulo ahead of G20 finance meetings this weekend in Argentina.

“I’m not going to go into the exact specifics of what those proposals are and where we stand on them, but, yes, if we can find an acceptable solution, that is our objective,” Mnuchin said.

“Our objective is not to put Rusal out of business,” he added, acknowledging that Rusal was important to the global aluminum market.

Last month Rusal shareholders elected a new board of directors, dominated by independent directors and operational managers.

Deripaska and a team of his top managers stepped down from Rusal’s board of directors in May and are currently working on several options to reduce his control over the company.

Source : 20 juillet 2018 - Exclusive: U.S. open to lifting sanctions off aluminum giant Rusal - Mnuchin, David Lawder, Reuters

Canada’s Liberal government will seek to address competitiveness challenges faced by the nation’s businesses in a budget update later this year amid pressure to respond to U.S. tax reform.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau, in an interview with Bloomberg News in Buenos Aires on Saturday, said the key themes emerging for his fiscal update—a document the finance department typically releases in October or November—will include business taxation, oil pipelines and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“We’ve pretty clearly telegraphed that we want to be listening to, broadly to Canadians and specifically Canadian businesses, to make sure that we maintain a level of competitiveness, given the sorts of change changes we’ve seen in our environment,” said Morneau. “I think those themes will be reinforced in our fall economic statement.”

Business groups have pressured Morneau to cut taxes in Canada after the U.S. cut its corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, claiming the lost tax competitiveness is diverting investment away from Canada.

A June report from the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters—an industry advocacy group—recommended the combined federal and provincial corporate tax rate should be cut to 20 percent from about 28 percent, and Canada should match U.S. accelerated capital cost allowance provisions to offer “an immediate 100 per cent tax write-off on qualifying capital asset purchases.”

Morneau said he hasn’t come to any conclusions yet but the consultation process will be done ahead of the fiscal update.

New Investment

Morneau indicated he’s more focused on lowering the cost of new investment, which he said is the primary concern for businesses, rather than broad-based cuts in the corporate rate.

“People want to make sure that the next investment they’re going to be making is on an advantageous basis,” said Morneau, who was in Argentina to attend a meeting of G-20 finance ministers. “That’s a much more common refrain than someone coming in and saying, ‘You know, I really think you should really cut rates.”’

One constraint for the Canadian government is cost. After ramping up spending in recent budgets to finance Prime Minister’s Justin Trudeau’s ambitious social agenda, there is little room for expensive new initiatives for business such as a broad-based tax cut, particularly if the government wants to keep to its promise of limiting the pace of debt accumulation to below the level of GDP growth.

Morneau said his February fiscal plan—which anticipates a gradual reduction of deficit spending over the next six years—will benefit from a recent pick up in oil prices but the windfalls aren’t significant enough to alter the fiscal outlook, which he said is largely in line with what was projected in his February budget.

“I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves in assuming that that’s actually going to have an enormous change in terms of our projections,” Morneau said.

Other Highlights

• Uncertainty over the fate of Nafta have added to the challenges for the nation’s business and Morneau said his government is still working hard on getting a deal done. Morneau said he hopes the election of a new president in Mexico will return a “sense of urgency” to the negotiations.
• “Getting us back to where we were, you know, maybe a month or so ago, and that opportunity is going to emerge now,” said Morneau, who will be traveling to Mexico this week with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Trade Minister Jim Carr to hold talks with the incoming Mexican government.
• Morneau said that some of the biggest issues in renegotiating Nafta are actually between Mexico and the U.S. He’s optimistic there is a “reasonable path” toward resolving some of the sticking points for Canada—the country rejects a U.S. demand to include a sunset clause into the deal and insists the pact include a dispute resolution system.
• Another major file on Morneau’s desk in recent months has been the government’s C$4.5 billion ($3.4 billion) acquisition of the Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd.’s Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which Morneau said should be finalized within the next two months. The government had an option to find another private buyer for the pipeline by July 22 before nationalizing it, but a quick sale won’t happen, Morneau said.
• “Our conclusion is that we have to think about what’s our first objective and our first objective is to get the pipeline built and that objective is thwarted if there’s uncertainty in terms of the ability to actually get the pipeline laid down,” Morneau said. “So it’s just not plausible for us to do it in that timeframe.”

Source : 23 juillet 2018 - Canada to Respond to U.S. Tax Reform Challenge in Fiscal Update, Theophilos Argitis, American Journal of Transportation

DEVELOPING

AluQuébec promotes the growth and influence
of Québec's aluminium ecosystem.

TOOLING UP

AluQuébec supports and facilitates
Québec's aluminium industry growth.

TEAMING UP

AluQuébec brings together industry stakholders
around concrete capacity building initiatives.

Community-Focused Architecture Starts with Aluminum

In the interest of fostering the innovative use of aluminum in building design, the Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl) and Alcoa Innovation are announcing a competition with the theme Community-Focused Architecture Starts with Aluminum. This call for creative projects is being launched in collaboration with the Association des Architectes en pratique privée du Québec (AAPPQ) and with the financial support of the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation (MESI).

Whereas previous editions of the competition were dedicated to industrial design projects for a consumer product, the 2018 edition, for the first time, is inviting Québec architects to consider the place of aluminum in sustainable architectural design in order to promote the judicious, local, innovative and proactive use of this material.

Open to architects and interns of AAPPQ member firms, the competition was officially launched today as part of a series of training activities and conferences organized by the association. David Prudhomme, Director of the CeAl (an initiative of AluQuébec, the Québec Aluminum Industrial Cluster), took this opportunity to explain that the competition is a remarkable initiative that will provide aluminum a greater presence in building design through innovative new applications, while demonstrating its synergy with other construction materials in accordance with the principle of “the right material for the right job!” François Racine, President of Alcoa Innovation, emphasizes the challenge facing participants: “Permanent and mobile construction in sectors as diverse as health, culture, education and housing provide a vast and extremely attractive playing field for dedicated, forward-thinking architects.” Anne Carrier, President of the AAPPQ and a member of the jury, encourages architects to focus on emerging practices that approach the use of aluminum in architecture from a sustainable perspective.

“Aluminium has a bright future, and we should be taking full advantage of it. Competitions such as this one, which fosters the emergence of innovative uses of aluminium, help to shape the future, right here, in Québec. For this reason, we are proud that our government is partnering with the Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium and with Alcoa Innovation to ensure the success of this initiative, which shares the objectives of the 2015–2025 Québec Aluminium Development Strategy,” echoes Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy.

CeAl and Alcoa Innovation will award $50,000 in prizes: $25,000 to be distributed among 5 winners, $15,000 to the recipient of the jury’s Grand Prize and $10,000 for the public’s Grand Prize winner. In addition, the two Grand Prize winners will receive expert services from Alcoa Innovation valued at $5,000 each. The winning teams will also receive visibility among promoters and the AAPPQ network.

Architects in action – Analyze, design, participate!

Taking inspiration from aluminum’s many valuable properties (versatility, lightness, malleability, resistance to corrosion, conductivity, recyclability, etc.), architects are invited to imagine a building of less than 120 square metres that leverages the intrinsic qualities of aluminum, a metal that remains misunderstood and underused in construction. Working from a perspective of social responsibility and sustainability, architects should present plans or previews of a structural project that is strongly anchored in its community or sociocultural context.

Architects have until noon on February 27, 2018 to submit their proposals, which will be evaluated by an independent jury. The designs will be presented anonymously and graded on their innovative nature, functionality, formal and ecological qualities, social added-value and, naturally, contribution to promoting aluminum.

Architecture: Growing public awareness

Increasingly, the general public is demanding quality architecture that reflects community priorities. To enable citizens to appreciate the talent and dedication of Québec architects, the CeAl and Alcoa Innovation will present all eligible submissions on their websites (ceal-aluquebec.com and http://www.alcoainnovation.org/fr/concoursarchitecture/) starting in early April. At that time, the public will be invited to vote online for their favourite project among the five winners. The project with the most votes will be awarded the public Grand Prize. The winners of the jury’s Grand Prize and public Grand Prize will be announced around mid-June 2018 and posted to the Alcoa Innovation and CeAl websites.

The competition jury is composed of Carlo Carbone, professor at the École de design (UQAM), Anne Carrier, architect with Anne Carrier Architecture and President of the Association des Architectes en pratique privée du Québec (AAPPQ), David Prudhomme, Director of the Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl), François Racine, President of Alcoa Innovation and Ron Rayside, architect and senior partner with Rayside Labossière.

Architects wishing to receive more information are asked to send an email to concoursdesign@alcoainnovation.com.

Canada is in a global innovation race, competing with countries around the world for the most talented people, the newest technologies, and the fastest-growing companies. As part of  the Innovation and Skills Plan—an agenda to spark growth and help Canada realize its potential as a global leader in innovation — the Government intends to accelerate business-led innovation superclusters to deliver real results for Canadians.

As you know, Budget 2017 proposed to invest up to $950 million to support a small number of business-led innovation superclusters that have the greatest potential to accelerate economic growth.  The Government plans to invest in superclusters that will enhance Canada’s global competitiveness by focusing on highly innovative industries such as advanced manufacturing, agri-food, clean technology, digital technology, health/bioscience and clean resources, as well as infrastructure and transportation. These superclusters will become engines of innovation that support the development and growth of globally competitive Canadian companies, and ensure that Canada continues to develop and attract the best ideas, brightest talent and smart capital necessary for success.

Yesterday, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced further details on the application processes for the Innovation Superclusters Initiative.  Please visit our website to find out more about how this program will help Canada realize its potential as a global leader in innovation.  The website also has a portal that will allow you to register for upcoming information sessions and webinars.

If you require additional information about the program, please contact:

info.isi@canada.ca

Telephone (toll-free in Canada): 1-800-328-6189
Telephone (Ottawa): 613-954-5031
Fax: 343-291-1913
TTY (for hearing-impaired): 1-866-694-8389
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Mandate : 

To identify and implement actions that will enable Québec equipment and specialized suppliers to increase their sales world-wide in the aluminium sector.

Objectives : 

• Facilitate partnering and networking between companies;
• Compile a list of all supportive governmental programs which could foster business development and to ensure these programs meet supplier needs;
• Support national and international development by keeping abreast of overseas projects and partnerships;
• Complete a study of potential markets by sector and country and to develop the required penetration strategy from the Québec suppliers;
• Develop a platform to communicate the current skills of the Québec suppliers and to share best practices.

Co-chairs : 

• Patrice Côté, President, Dynamic Concept
• Éloïse Harvey, President, Mecfor

Mandate:

Optimize the use of aluminium and highlight how it complements other materials used to manufacture land-based vehicles.

Co-chairs:

• Yvon Laplante, Director, Business Development, Verbom
• François Racine, Director, Business Development, Alcoa Canada

The Pôle d’excellence québécois en transport terrestre and AluQuébec partner for the organization of the 8th edition of the Rendez-vous du transport.

In addition to the conference program, an exhibition component will be this year added to demonstrate the know-how of Quebec manufacturers, to present the expertise of the organizations as well as the professional providers that support our industry.

Register today by visiting rvtransport2016.com. For more information, please contact us by phone at 819 472-4494 or by email at the following address: info@polet2.com

AluQuébec is a leading exponent at the AQTr’s 51st Salon des transports. In collaboration with the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC), AluQuébec has presented a workshop by Greg Osberg, president of AlumaBridge, entitled Aluminium Bridge Decking Advancements and Applications. The use of aluminum in bridges construction is one of the main goals of AluQuébec’ working groups. We invite you to read an article published on the AQTr site by Jacques Internoscia, Director of strategic programs at AAC, to find out why (French only).

Pourquoi l’industrie de la transformation de l’aluminium s’intéresse-t-elle au secteur des ponts et des passerelles?

Greig Osberg, president of AlumaBridge, discuss the use of aluminium in bridge decks.

Jean de Gaspé Lizotte, Stantec, Denis Beaulieu, Université Laval, and Jacques Internoscia, Aluminium Association of Canada.

Québec’s aluminium development strategy, launched on June 19, 2015, recognizes the aluminium industry as a major economic benefit for the province, and AluQuébec is expected to play a crucial role in implementing the strategy. The government plans to build on the momentum of AluQuébec’s work in coordinating Québec’s aluminium processing industry and equipment suppliers.

AluQuébec is fully committed to the success of Québec’s aluminium development strategy

Jean-Luc Trahan, President and CEO of AluQuébec

A number of initiatives in Québec’s aluminium development strategy directly involve AluQuébec. Below is a summary of the measures designed to help achieve the goal of doubling the amount of aluminium processed in the province over the next decade, a target set by both AluQuébec and the Québec government in its aluminium development strategy.

Objective 1: Create an environment conducive to aluminium processing

Facilitate access to aluminium

• Role of AluQuébec: Ensure Québec processors can meet their aluminium procurement needs
  • Provide training on financial markets and risk management
  • Organize a networking and knowledge-sharing forum for aluminium processors and vendors in cooperation with the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC)
  • Identify processors’ aluminium procurement needs
• AluQuébec working group: Procurement

Reinforce the value chain

• Role of AluQuébec: Continue mapping of processing facilities
  • Identify promising markets and weaknesses in the supply chain
  • Guide lobbying and investment efforts
• AluQuébec working group: Procurement

Promote the use of aluminium

• Role of AluQuébec: Intensify actions by existing AluQuébec working groups responsible for promoting the use of aluminium
  • Promote existing stakeholders and technologies in the Québec value chain
  • Foster the development of Québec-made solutions for bridges and other infrastructure in cooperation with public sector clients
  • Promote the use of aluminium parts in transportation equipment
  • Document techniques in aluminium processing available in Quebec
  • Facilitate networking with potential North American and European clients
• AluQuébec working group: Branding, Business Opportunities, and Innovation/R&D

Objective 2: Reinforce the Québec Aluminium Industry

Boost innovation capacity

• Role of AluQuébec – In cooperation with Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, determine what types of university training are required in the industry and encourage universities to meet those needs
• Improve training of engineers, architects, and industrial designers in the use of aluminium
• Adapt content of courses dispensed by universities and professional orders
• AluQuébec working group: Training
• Role of AluQuébec: Share expertise on the use of aluminium:
  Set up a technical support, training, and design assistance service for professionals who wish to use aluminium
  • Encourage and facilitate greater use of aluminium in buildings, infrastructure, and transportation equipment
  • Educate professionals about standards, building codes, the advantages and potential uses of aluminium, and design technologies and tools
• AluQuébec working group: Training

Objective 3: Ensure industry competitiveness

Spur the growth of small businesses in the industry

• Role of AluQuébec: Set up a working group for equipment and specialized suppliers
  • This working group’s mandate is yet to be determined
• AluQuébec working group: Equipment Suppliers (to be launched in 2015)

Québec’s aluminium development strategy has earmarked an additional $2.32 million over three years for AluQuébec to carry out these measures.

Make Aluquébec’s expertise available to government and institutional partners

The Québec aluminium development strategy identifies AluQuébec as the main instrument of industry cooperation. In addition to its regular duties, AluQuébec is to liaise with other groups responsible for various strategy measures:

• Oversight committee – in cooperation with the Québec government
• Finding foreign investors – in cooperation with Investissement Québec, Société de la Vallée de l’aluminium (SVA) and Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et des Exportations (MEIE)
• Networking with potential clients – in cooperation with Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ)
• Use of aluminium in road infrastructure – in cooperation with Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ)
• Showcasing new aluminium products in government buildings – in cooperation with Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI) and Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)
• Collaboration between R&D stakeholders – in cooperation with all members of the aluminium R&D community

Jean-Luc Trahan
AluQuébec Chief Executive Officer

Montreal, June 19, 2015 – AluQuébec, the Quebec Aluminum Industrial Cluster, applauds the Quebec government for delivering on its commitment to the aluminum industry today with the release of Quebec’s aluminum development strategy. The Quebec government had set aside $32.5 million over three years in its 2015–2016 budget to help implement the ten-year strategy. The move clearly indicates that the government is fully aware of how important aluminum production and processing is for creating wealth in the Quebec economy.

KEY FACTS

AluQuébec has been asked to play a significant part in rolling out the Quebec aluminum development strategy, with key industry players active wherever aluminum is being manufactured. AluQuébec will draw on the expertise of its partners, including major contractors, primary aluminum producers, processing companies, equipment manufacturers, research centers, and industry and regional associations.

AluQuébec’s specific tasks involve three aspects of the Quebec aluminum development strategy as outlined in the 2015–2016 budget.

1. To create an environment favorable to aluminum processing

AluQuébec will be asked to advise processors on access to metal and ramp up the efforts of its working groups to promote aluminum and encourage its use.
 

2. Ensure industry competitiveness

AluQuébec will play a role in this area by mapping and disseminating Quebec know-how on aluminum use and piloting an initiative to educate professionals on aluminum standards, building codes, advantages, and applications.
 

3. Strengthen the entire chain

AluQuébec has already enlisted contributions from all the members of the Cluster. The implementation of the Quebec aluminum development strategy confirms the launch of the Cluster’s new working group of equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers.

AluQuébec will work with various government and educational stakeholders to promote university teaching and skills training and development in the field of aluminum. The Cluster will also work to bring in international investments.

QUOTE

“The success of Quebec’s aluminum development strategy will rely on our ability to maximize the synergy between key Cluster stakeholders, by guiding their input toward the target objectives of the strategy. AluQuébec looks forward to playing a coordinating role at every stage of the value chain.”
Jean-Luc Trahan, AluQuébec Chief Executive Officer

About AluQuébec, the Quebec Aluminum Industrial Cluster

Officially launched in October 2013, AluQuébec coordinates working groups that create synergies between Quebec aluminum industry clients/users and stakeholders. It brings together producers, processors, equipment suppliers and research, development, and training centers to work on concrete capacity-building initiatives with the goal of doubling aluminum processing in Quebec over a period of ten years.

- 30 -

SOURCE
AluQuébec, the Quebec Aluminum Industrial Cluster

Information:
Michel Bazinet
AluQuébec Executive Director
514-905-4835
michel.bazinet@aluquebec.com

Engineering firm MAADI Group responded with resounding success to the mandate for a service/work bridge connecting two offshore platforms. Aluminum, with its light weight and resistance to salt water corrosion, was the obvious choice of material for this service bridge.

In fact, the project saw MAADI Group produce the longest aluminum utility service bridge in the company’s history. Measuring 46.3 metres in length, the bridge had to meet a number of rigorous demands, including resistance to ocean storm surges and the flexibility to bear loads well in excess of its intended capacity. The result is a structure that can rotate and react to ocean movement. Under harsh conditions of shifting caused by water and wind, the bridge was engineered to account for movement of up to 1 meter, and withstand shear loads of up to 68 tons.

In-depth testing and analyses

Built with ingenuity that is unique to MAADI Group, the aluminum pedestrian bridge weighs a total of 13 tons, 2 tons less than the maximum capacity of the cranes on the offshore platforms. The bridge’s overall lighter weight was a key factor in the bridge’s design and installation.

MAADI Group carried out a series of highly rigorous tests prior to delivering the bridge to the installation site. In addition to ensuring compliance with the codes and standards in effect, the tests aimed to measure the bridge’s vertical deviation under a distributed load equivalent to 80 workers crossing it at the same time. Mission accomplished!

Once dismantled, the structure was loaded into containers and onto a ship to make the long journey to its final destination: the southern hemisphere.

Extensive expertise

To create pedestrian bridges and marine structures that are durable, recyclable and require zero maintenance during their life cycle, the engineers at MAADI Group draw on the structural and economic benefits offered by aluminum castings and extrusions.

MAADI Group has once again set itself apart through its design of this one-of-a-kind structure that showcases the firm’s solid experience in the construction of aluminum structures.

http://www.maadigroup.com/lang/en/

To view the rigorous testing process that the bridge was put through prior to its delivery, click here.

A delegation of Québec aluminium cluster businesses recently made major inroads in the "land-based transportation" market, thanks to an initiative of AluQuébec's "Business opportunities" working group devoted to this field. On November 6, representatives from three Québec processing companies and one research centre met in California with engineers, designers and buyers from Tesla Motors, the world's premier electric car manufacturer. 

From left to right: Martin Hartlieb, AluQuébec Director of Business Development; Frédéric Jean, AMT Die Casting; Thorbioern Hoeiland and Brian Hibbard, Raufoss; Simon Desrosiers, AMT Die Casting; Jerome Fourmann, Rio Tinto Alcan; Mélissa Després and Guillaume D’Amours, NRCC.

Tesla representatives were impressed by the quality and variety of the services provided by the Québec Aluminium Cluster and the visit produced immediate results. At the time of writing, all three processing companies were already drawing up bids in response to need statements from the automaker, while scientist members of the cluster were working out the details of a research project with the company.

Business development at AluQuébec

Martin Hartlieb, AluQuébec's Director of Business Development, is a member of all the cluster's "Business opportunities" working groups. Keeping in mind the markets and priorities targeted by these working groups, Martin approaches current and potential aluminium users around the world. He finds them using his impressive network of personal contacts or meets them at the major international trade shows that he attends on his own or on behalf of AluQuébec.

Martin never leaves home without AluQuébec's marketing presentation. This incomparable reference tool showcases all the Québec Aluminium Industrial Cluster's activities. The presentation describes the cluster's constituents, who are primary aluminium producers, equipment suppliers, major processing companies, recyclers and research centres. Martin's pitch also includes the mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec, which lists 1409 businesses that use or process aluminium. OEMs can then identify the businesses most likely to meet their needs or with whom they would like to initiate discussions.

To bring potential clients and suppliers together, Martin can organize a "Technology Day" at the client's premises, set up an informal exploratory meeting or simply help both parties exchange contact information. Once the customary handshakes are out of the way, Martin steps back and lets the businesses involved determine how they would like to work together. 

Mecfor has been producing heavy equipment since its founding in 1987. Building on its experience serving forestry and pulp and paper companies, in 1999 Mecfor became a key player in the productivity and profitability of Québec aluminium smelters. Its expertise in developing innovative solutions to meet the needs expressed by local primary aluminium producers is now exported and recognized worldwide.

Mecfor designs, manufactures and supports technical solutions for the alumina and aluminium markets. Its mobile equipment includes various types of specialized vehicles such as haulers, multifunctional vehicles and crucible manipulators customized to the productivity and profitability demands of primary aluminium producers. At the same time, its stationary equipment is used for specific operations involved in the processing of alumina into aluminium; this includes anode slot cutting machines, automated dross skimming stations and electrolysis pot delining stations. The company has also developed solutions expressly for aluminium processors, like roll trailers, roll handlers and roll bearing tilting tables. Finally, it supplies specialized trailers for transporting finished products such as ingots, sows and extrusion billets.

Some Mecfor products

Since entering the international market in 2000, Mecfor has sold its solutions in over 15 countries. Exports now represent over 60% of its sales volume.

In 2009, the company began to diversify, creating equipment for the mining and rail industries. Mecfor is a member of the Ceger Group, which is also active in the fields of construction, engineering and real estate. Visit the Mecfor Website for more information.
www.mecfor.com.

The Ocean Group is a leader in integrated marine services. Thanks to the activities in its Île-aux-Coudres shipyard on the St. Lawrence River, this AluQuébec member is also a major aluminium processor, taking advantage of the incomparable properties of aluminium to build both small and medium-tonnage floating equipment.

The shipyard produces a wide variety of ships, floating wharves and marine trailers with a design emphasis on aluminium. Approximately one-third of the vessels built in its indoor dry dock or exterior dock are equipped with aluminium hulls and structures. Taking advantage of the durability and malleability inherent in specially chosen 5000 series aluminium alloys, these ships are put together and outfitted with extruded or machined aluminium parts that are both lightweight and sturdy. Footbridges, ladders, lamps and several other ship components (too numerous to list) are generally manufactured out of aluminium. The Ocean Group also specializes in the repair of aluminium ships, thanks to its expert personnel trained in the art of welding.

In addition to being a shipbuilder, the Ocean Group designs and manufactures floating equipment that it uses to provide a variety of marine services like dredging, harbour towing, marine transportation and marine salvage. Consult the Ocean Group Website for more information on this interesting, multifaceted company.
www.groupocean.com

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried 923 companies that use aluminium in their products and manufacturing processes. These companies benefit from the many properties of aluminium: malleability, strength, lightness, durability and versatility.

Since it would be difficult to list all these companies here, we instead invite you to read a few success stories from the Québec aluminium processing industry.

There are several types of downstream processing offered by businesses in the Québec Aluminium Cluster that add value to the metal or semi-finished components for almost endless applications and components.

• Production of aluminium powder and pellets: Sotrem-Maltech
• Surface treatments (e.g. to improve corrosion resistance)
• Cutting/machining, welding, bonding, peening, bending, and more.

We invite you to contact AluQuébec for help finding a company to meet your specific aluminium processing needs.

Casting is an economic process in which liquid metal is poured into moulds to produce a wide array of products. There are many different casting processes to meet a variety of needs. High pressure die casting, low pressure or gravity casting metal into moulds is ideal for mass production; sand casting allows producing small quantities or single copies of more complex parts; and investment or lost-wax casting is used to produce highly specialized components, particularly for the aerospace industry.

Québec’s value proposition

Several Québec processors provide aluminium castings. One such company, AMT, has developed a very effective high vacuum die-casting process that can produce high-quality, high-integrity products. These parts can also be welded together.

Forged aluminium can be used to create three-dimensional parts with highest strength and structural integrity. During the forging process, aluminium is pressed, pounded or squeezed under great pressure, either hot or cold. Three different processes produce different types of parts. Open-die forging is ideal for creating larger components, closed-die forging is well-suited for more complex precision designs, while ring-rolled forging is used to produce high-strength ring-shaped parts. Forged parts are the perfect solution for applications requiring performance, resistance and safety, such as reducing vehicle weight to improve energy efficiency.

Québec’s value proposition

A leader in hot closed-die forging, Raufoss Canada specializes in the manufacture of auto parts. Its unique Extruform process combines forging and extruding by using hollow extruded parts that are forged into their final shape.

The extruding process consists of pushing a cylindrical aluminium billet through the die of a hydraulic press to form the metal into the desired shape. The parts created by this method are used in a variety of applications, including the construction, transportation and energy industries, to name but a few.

Québec’s value proposition

Québec is already home to three extruders and a fourth is scheduled to begin operations in the fall of 2014. These companies extrude parts from extrusion billets up to 9 inches in diameter using presses that exert up to 3,000 metric tons of pressure. The parts then undergo various value-added processes.

Rolling is a process that reduces the thickness of aluminium ingots by compressing hot metal between two cylinders to create sheets or plates in the desired thickness and hardness.

Québec’s value proposition

Québec aluminium distributors supply processors and manufacturers with rolled aluminium products in a variety of alloys and formats.

In addition, Verbom Inc. uses stamping, machining and other special processes, including QPF (Quick Plastic Forming) and SPF (Super Plastic Forming), to process aluminium sheet.

The multinational company 3M operates a rolling mill that produces, among other things, highly specialized aluminium MMC (Metal Matrix Composite) sheet that is used as a neutron shielding material in the nuclear industry.

PCP Canada specializes in the manufacture of precision aluminium sheet, plate and mould blocks of different sizes used in the manufacturing, automobile, naval and plastics industries.

Aluminium smelters and cable manufacturers produce rod directly from liquid metal. Several strands are then combined to form electrical wires and cables.

Québec’s value proposition  

Alcoa's Bécancour Smelter and Rio Tinto Alcan's Alma Works produce several varieties of rod and cable; General Cable also operates several wire and cable facilities. Intral produces aluminium-clad steel wires and cables as well as aluminium alloy wires, bars and rods, while the multinational company Sural will inaugurate its new rod and cable manufacturing plant in Victoriaville in 2015.

Acting as a catalyst for the efforts of the Québec Aluminium Cluster's constituents, the organization brings together OEMs, producers, processors, equipment suppliers and research, development and training centres to work on major concrete projects.

Learn more

Most common uses of aluminium require that the pure metal be alloyed to optimize the properties needed for its intended end use. Québec's aluminium casthouses produce sheet, foundry and remelt ingot, extrusion billet and rod in a variety of shapes and alloys. This is the first step in aluminium processing.

Québec’s value proposition

In Québec, the Rio Tinto Alcan, Alcoa, Alouette and Sotrem-Maltech casting facilities produce many types of alloys.

Wrought alloys (in the form of sheet ingot, extrusion billet, forging stock and rod):

• 1000 series (minimum 99% aluminium content): used primarily in packaging.
• 2000 series (aluminium-copper): used principally in the aerospace and military industries.
• 3000 series (aluminium-manganese): used mainly in heat exchangers and packaging.
• 4000 series (aluminium-silicon): used in specific products, including pistons.
• 5000 series (aluminium-magnesium): designed primarily for rolling and used in naval construction, transportation, packaging and the chemical industry.
• 6000 series (aluminium-magnesium-silicon): designed for extruding, rolling and forging, this alloy is used in a number of structural applications (framing, towers, etc.), as well as in the construction, transportation and aeronautics industries.
• 7000 series (aluminium-zinc): used primarily in aeronautics for its high strength.

Cast alloys (in the form of T-ingot, sows or small form ingot):

• 100 series (minimum 99% aluminium content): used primarily in the rotors of electric motors.
• 200 series (aluminium-copper): used principally in the aerospace and military industries.
• 300 series (aluminium-magnesium and/or copper): used in most castings and numerous applications, mainly for the transportation, aerospace and construction industries.
• 400 series (aluminium-silicon): used in intricate applications (without heat treatment) that require high ductility.
• 500 series (aluminium-magnesium): used, among other things, in marine applications requiring high corrosion resistance or whose parts will be surface treated.
• 700 series (aluminium-zinc-magnesium): used in applications requiring high-quality surfaces and excellent dimensional stability.
• 800 series (aluminium-tin-copper [+silicon]): bushings and ball bearings.

A "green" material par excellence – it can be recycled indefinitely –, aluminium is the material of choice for OEMs that care about the environment and sustainable development. Its lightness and sturdiness enhance vehicle energy efficiency, while its durability reduces the total cost of ownership of infrastructure projects that incorporate it.

Québec has an abundant supply of aluminium, thanks to eight aluminium smelters and numerous recyclers that provide a wide range of alloys. Hundreds of processors use processes like extruding, forging and casting to form the metal into shapes to meet the needs of OEMs and customers/users. Processed aluminium can then be machined, precision cut and bent into any shape, or surface treated and joined with other parts to create structures of any size. Finally, many alloys can enhance its mechanical and other properties like durability, malleability and corrosion resistance. The possibilities are endless!

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried 1409 businesses – 923 manufacturers and 684 suppliers – in 13 industries that all make use of aluminium.

Learn more about the aluminium processing services available in Québec.

Mandate:

Encourage architects, designers and engineers to learn more about the uses of aluminium. Enhance their knowledge about the specific properties of aluminium and the advantages it confers to certain products. Support the development of technical training in machining, sheet metal and welding.

Mandate:

Foster collaborative practices within the industry and among AluQuébec's research, development and training centres, to meet the needs of clients in terms of innovation, research and development. Integrate the " Innovation, Research and Development" components to the flow of projects and working groups at AluQuébec.

Copresidents:

• Gheorghe Marin CMQ, REGAL
• Stéphan Simard, CNRC-CTA

Members:

• Yves Archambault, Aloca Innovation
• Maurice Duval, CQRDA
• François Gingras, CRIQ
• Mohammad Jahazi, REGAL
• Serge Lavoie, Rio Tinto

The "Financing" working group will officially launch its activities in 2015.

Mandate:

Publicize the sources of funding available for prototype development, pre-commercialization and commercialization.

Mandate:

• Foster increased aluminium use in infrastructures and bridges

Objectives:

• Accelerate the completion of a technological bridge and walkway showcase
• Develop a repertory of international projects
• Create a budget to foster the demonstration of innovative materials

Co-chairs:

• Jacques Internoscia, Director, Strategic Programs, AluQuébec
• Michel Toupin, President, Constructions Proco

Mandate:

Coordinate AluQuébec's communication, public relations and governement relations activities.

• Highlight Québec's aluminium transformation value chain and the capacities of the equipment providers.
• Showcase the economic impact of the industry
• Publicize the expertise of Québec’s businesses.
• Demonstrate the province's manufacturing capacity.
• Represente the industry of aluminum processing to policymakers.

Co-chairs:

• Mr. Jean Simard, President and CEO, Aluminium Association of Canada
• Ms. Éloïse Harvey, Vice-President, Business Development, Cegertec Worley Parsons

Members:

• David Fortin, Director, Business Development, Ocean Group Inc.
• Thierry Allegrucci, General Manager, Fives Solios

Documents:

AluQuébec logo: (high-resolution JPEG)

The "Procurement" working group manages two mandates.

Economic indicators

Mandate:

Define the survey methodologies and economic variables that will be used as benchmarks and to quantitatively assess AluQuebec's performance objectives, i.e., double the amount of aluminium processed in Québec and support equipment suppliers.

Mapping

Mandate:

Map the companies that process or use aluminium in Québec.

• Inventory the businesses that make up the aluminium processing value chain, grouping them according to primary sector of economic activity.
• Identify the most promising economic sectors for increasing the volume of aluminium processed in Québec.
• Identify any weaknesses in the supply chain that serves the OEMs of these promising industries.

Mandate:

Increase the use of aluminum and its complementarity with other materials used in the construction sector.

Objectives:

• ​Create an environment where manufacturers can generate innovation and bring solutions to the market (showcase project or technological directory)
• Use public order to develop flagship products in construction (for example via architectural and / or student contests)
• Develop a technology intelligence on global innovation

Co-chairs:

• Pierre-Luc Dumas, Vice President - Public Infrastructure Development, Pomerleau
• André Cardinal, Architect, Partner - Private Markets, Lemay

Québec service providers

• 9 aluminium smelters
• +1400 processing companies
• 923 OEMs
• 684 suppliers
• 76 equipment suppliers
• 132 recyclers
• 8 centres of research, development and training

Are you looking for a supplier of processed aluminium or an equipment supplier specialized in aluminium production or processing? What about a research or training centre that can develop innovative solutions or train your staff in the use of aluminium? Or an aluminium distributor or recycler?

Thanks to its mapping exercise, AluQuébec can direct you to a company that can meet your specific needs. Contact us: We'll consult our database using your criteria to identify the company best suited to provide assistance.

A wide-ranging cluster

The mapping exercise commissioned by AluQuébec from the Trans-Al Network clearly depicts the Québec aluminium processing industry, showing that suppliers and users of aluminium operate across the entire province. This map also illustrates the concentration of major OEMs in Greater Montréal.

Geographical distribution of the 1409 processing companies inventoried by AluQuébec's mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry.

Equipment suppliers

With numerous aluminium smelters operating in Québec since 1901, the province has developed an industry that specializes in producing equipment specifically for primary aluminium production and processing. AluQuébec's map includes 76 such equipment suppliers, 46 of which are located in the Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean region. Their expertise is recognized around the world.

• Equipment suppliers active in primary aluminium production: 53
• Equipment suppliers active in aluminium processing: 43

Markets

The companies inventoried in AluQuébec's map are active in six major markets, primary and semi-finished products, and recycling. Equipment suppliers make up the last segment in the chart.

The biggest aluminium markets are construction, equipment and machinery, and transportation.

Areas in which the 1409 companies inventoried by AluQuébec's aluminium processing industry map are active.

Sub-markets

These markets are divided, in turn, into 33 sub-markets representing a total of 335 products that are manufactured, either in whole or in part, out of aluminium.

Contact AluQuébec to find out which businesses in the Québec Aluminium Industrial Cluster can supply the specific product you’re looking for.

In its role as industry coordinator, AluQuébec communicates directly with many of the largest users of aluminium, both in and outside the province. Its executives meet with major OEMs and customers who wish to incorporate aluminium into their manufacturing processes or finished products. These OEMs participate in AluQuébec's working groups or enlist its "business development" service to make contact with processing companies and R & D centres that could help them successfully incorporate aluminium into their production.

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried 987 manufacturers who purchase aluminium components.

Within the Québec Aluminium Cluster, the term "technical authority" refers to any organization whose mission is to issue recommendations, notices or technical analyses that could affect the aluminium industry. These directives generally concern technological developments or the choice of materials in a policy or call for tender.

These technical authorities are often engineering firms in charge of designing the projects they're working on or industrial design firms that create finished products incorporating aluminium components.

Processing companies and end users employing aluminium in the manufacture of their finished products rely on distributors who can supply them with all the alloys and forms of aluminium they need for their production processes. Québec is home to five major aluminium distributors.

Created in 1969 under a bill passed by Québec’s National Assembly, CRIQ is a state-owned company dedicated to industrial research. It reports to Québec’s Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports (MEIE). It is a unique centre of integrated expertise dedicated to creating, locating, and putting in place innovations designed to help Québec-based businesses grow and compete.

Founded in 1946, the Arvida Research & Development Centre (ARDC) covers all industrial aspects of Rio Tinto Alcan's business. Aiming to quickly deliver technological solutions to all its clients, it continually interacts with a network of partners that includes Canadian and international universities, expert laboratories and centres, as well as equipment manufacturers.

Drawing on Alcoa's expertise in aluminium processing and product design, Alcoa Innovation is an NPO whose mandate is to provide engineering services to businesses that would like to design or enhance products made from aluminium. The members of Alcoa Innovation are the CRIQ (Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec), the CQRDA (Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium) and Alcoa Canada. The mission of Alcoa Innovation is as follows:

• Foster the development of innovative new products that use aluminium
• Encourage aluminium applications that promote sustainable development
• Support research and development projects that increase public access to knowledge about aluminium products and applications
• Support the development of a Québec aluminium culture among authorities and users

The sector workforce committee for the Québec metallurgical industry is a non-profit joint sector association that brings together representatives from businesses and unions working in primary metal processing. Its principal aim is to ensure that the workforce training available meets the actual needs of the industry.

Known as CTA, the Centre de technologies avancées BRP (for Bombardier Recreational Products) – Université de Sherbrooke is a non-profit organization that is a Canadian leader in the development of specialized vehicles. It provides all the R & D services for specialized vehicles designed to work on terrestrial, extraterrestrial, aquatic, and snow surfaces. CTA's research and development efforts range from applied research to product development.

NRC is an agency of the Government of Canada. NRC ATC provides technological solutions for its clients in the aluminium transformation sector by offering direct access to cutting-edge scientific infrastructure and expertise in assembly process development and aluminium forming.

Created in 1985, the Québec Metallurgy Centre is a college centre for technology transfer affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières that focusses on supporting the technological development of Québec-based manufacturing companies. Its mission is to be a leader in technology transfer and R & D in order to promote the growth and competitiveness of the metals industry and support college-level vocational training.

Founded in 2000, CURAL brings together a group of researchers from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) whose shared focus is aluminium. The organization's members have over 30 years of expertise in researching the raw materials, processes and production of aluminium. CURAL employs a multidisciplinary applied research approach that can be a motivating force for fundamental research and practical developments. With a well-established international reputation, CURAL works closely with public and private research centres active in the field of aluminium. Its aim is to share research expertise, human resources and physical resources as well as maintain a critical mass in a field that constitutes one of UQAC's niches of excellence.

The Aluminium Research Centre – REGAL is a network of researchers from six Québec universities and one CEGEP. Its mission is to train highly skilled workers. In addition to pooling the resources of its members, REGAL conducts leading-edge research projects funded by industry and the NSERC that examine the production, processing and usage of aluminium and its derivatives.

The Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA) is a transfer and liaison centre that has served the Québec aluminium industry since 1993. The CQRDA's mission is to increase economic benefits by actively encouraging networking between schools and SMEs, as well as among businesses associated with aluminium production and processing. Its liaison, monitoring and R & D efforts are designed to ensure an efficient transfer of knowledge, expertise and new technology.

AluQuébec is supported by the unparallelled expertise of a network of centres devoted to research, development and training in fields associated with aluminium production and processing. This network includes universities and academic research groups, liaison centres, college centres for technology transfer, private and government laboratories and a sector workforce committee.

The combined expertise of these institutions of higher learning, laboratories, skilled workers and aluminium users is harnessed to develop powerful, innovative solutions to meet the needs of businesses who wish to incorporate aluminium into their products or production processes. Thanks to these institutions, Québec is the world capital of expertise in aluminium production, processing and usage.

Did you know that 75% of all the aluminium produced since the invention of the Hall-Héroult electrolysis process is still in use? In addition, the recycling – or secondary processing – of aluminium requires just 5% of the energy required to make the original metal. As a result, the recovery and recycling of this aluminium, known as "scrap," has become a major industry.  

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried 49 businesses working in the field of secondary aluminium processing.

In Québec, more than 1,400 manufacturers and suppliers use aluminium to create finished products or components that are part of the manufacturing process for many goods. Québec companies provide products made by a number of different processes to meet the needs of OEMs who use aluminium in their finished products:

• Overview
• Primary processing
• Wire Rod and cable
• Rolling
• Extrusion
• Forging
• Casting
• Other processes
• Assembly

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried +1400 businesses – 923 manufacturers and 684 suppliers – in 13 industries that all make use of aluminium.

Main aluminium processors (primary processing and casting)

The following is a list of the main aluminium processors operating in Québec along with links to their respective Websites.

Having developed expertise from building, maintaining and operating aluminium smelters and processing plants in the province, Québec equipment suppliers are now sharing this know-how around the globe for the construction of similar facilities.

Specialized suppliers are active in three main areas of the aluminium industry:

• primary production
• secondary production and remelting (not including casting facilities)
• processing (casting semi-finished products)

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried 53 equipment suppliers of aluminium smelters and 43 businesses whose expertise supports aluminium processing activities.

One aluminium smelter and 1,000 Québec employees

One of the world's most efficient primary metal producers, Aluminerie Alouette is a joint venture made up of the following five shareholders: Rio Tinto Alcan (40%), Aluminium Austria Metall Québec Inc. (20%), Hydro Aluminium Canada Inc. (Norway, 20%), Marubeni Metals & Minerals Canada Inc. (Japan, 13.33%) and Investissement Québec (6.67%).

Alouette Smelter

• Annual production: 575,000 metric tons
  (largest aluminium smelter in the Americas)
• Products: remelt ingot

Five aluminium smelters and 5,700 Québec employees

Rio Tinto Alcan is one of five product groups operated by Rio Tinto, a leading international mining group. A global leader in the aluminium industry, Rio Tinto Alcan supplies high-quality bauxite, alumina and aluminium.

Rio Tinto Alcan operates five aluminium smelters in Québec and several casthouses that supply a variety of semi-products to the aluminium processing industry.

Primary production

Grande-Baie Works

• Annual production: 200,000 metric tons
• Products: rolling slab (sheet ingot), remelt ingot

Laterrière Works

• Annual production: 230,000 metric tons
• Products: rolling slab (sheet ingot)

Alma Works

• Annual production: 440,000 metric tons
• Products: foundry alloys (T bar), wire rod, remelt ingot

Arvida Works

• Annual production: 160,000 metric tons
• Products: extrusion billet, remelt ingot

Arvida Aluminium Smelter, AP60 Technology Centre

• Annual production: 60,000 metric tons

Primary processing

Beauharnois casting centre

• Annual production: 45,000 metric tons
• Products: foundry alloys (small form ingot)

Dubuc Works

• Annual production: 20,000 metric tons
• Products: specialty products

Three aluminium smelters and 3,300 Québec employees

In addition to the production of primary aluminium, Alcoa Canada operates processing plants serving the aerospace and construction industries.

Primary production

Bécancour Smelter

• Annual production: 413,000 metric tons
• Products: T-ingots, rolling ingots, billets

Baie-Comeau Smelter

• Annual production: 385,000 metric tons
• Products: T-ingots, rolling ingots, billets and rod

Deschambault Smelter

• Annual production: 260,000 metric tons
• Products: T-ingots

Québec is home to 9 smelters with a combined production capacity of 2.9 million metric tons of primary aluminium. This represents 90% of Canada's production, which ranks fourth in the world behind that of China, Russia and the Middle East. Together, Rio Tinto Alcan, Alcoa and Alouette employ +7,000 people in Quebec. These companies comprise the "Primary production" section of AluQuébec.

With facilities located in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Centre-du-Québec, Montérégie and Mauricie regions, primary aluminium producers have an economic impact throughout Québec. At the same time, their Montreal headquarters provide them with international visibility and help them maintain close relations with customers/users and industrial OEMs that use aluminium in the manufacture of their products.

The Québec Aluminium Cluster includes equipment suppliers with expertise in building and operating the province's aluminium smelters and processing plants, know-how that is now in demand around the globe. It also represents several hundred stakeholders involved in primary and secondary processing. These businesses transform aluminium into finished and semi-finished products that enable manufacturers to take advantage of the metal's incomparable properties. The Cluster also benefits from the knowledge transfer activities carried out by its research, development and training centres, as well as the expertise of its authorities. Finally, a description of the Québec Aluminium Cluster would not be complete without mentioning the OEMs and customers/users who have opted to incorporate aluminium into their finished products and who collaboratively work with all its constituents.

The mapping of the Québec aluminium processing industry commissioned by AluQuébec inventoried +1400 businesses – 923 manufacturers and 684 suppliers – in 13 industries that all make use of aluminium.

Aluminium industry organizations

The constituents of the Québec Aluminium Cluster have created it as a coordinating tool for promoting the industry with the mandate to double aluminium processed in Québec over the next ten years: AluQuébec.

Other sector organizations act as representatives for their respective members within the Cluster and are members of AluQuébec.

• Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC)
  The members of the Aluminium Association of Canada are the three primary producers active in Canada: Alcoa, Rio Tinto Alcan and Alouette. The AAC's mission is to represent the Canadian aluminium industry in its dealings with citizens, public authorities, current and potential users of aluminium, as well as other players in the economy.
• Trans-Al Network
  The Trans-Al Network is the business network for Québec-based aluminium processors. Devoted to the growth of SMEs operating in this sector, it provides opportunities for networking, technological improvement, business deals and recognition to its 250 members across the province.
• Aluminium Valley Society (AVS)
  The Aluminium Valley Society helps boost the aluminium processing industry and assists with the implementation, start-up and growth of businesses located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. The AVS thus acts as a regional industrial cluster for its approximately one hundred members.

MARIE LAPOINTE, is the Chief Executive Officer. She obtained more than 25 years of senior executive experience at Rio Tinto. Building on her bachelor's degree in engineering (in general engineering), Marie developed management and marketing skills and became a marketing and strategic analysis specialist. 

Marie leads the implementation of plans and projects drawn up by the Board of Directors and the cluster’s working groups. She builds on support services provided to aluminum sector businesses by adapting them their specific needs. She supports working group actions and helps them when necessary. She produces and manages a business plan linked to the development of business partnerships. Through her actions, she promotes and facilitates synergies between contract givers, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the cluster’s role, to provide information and to attract manufacturers and partners.

T 514 905-4835 | marie.lapointe@aluquebec.com

VÉRONIQUE AUCLAIR helps to develop and implement AluQuébec and CeAl's communications actions. She plans and oversees logistics and promotions related to the Cluster's events and marketing efforts.

Véronique has been a communications professional for nearly 20 years. These including stints as communications director at Développement économique de l'agglomération de Longueuil for seven years, where she played a significant role in enhancing the organization's reputation. Her economic development vision and experience enable her to fully grasp business's needs and the issues they face. Véronique holds a bachelor's degree in writing-communication from Université de Sherbrooke.

T 514 905-4832 | veronique.auclair@aluquebec.com

MALIKA CHERRY occupies the position of Director of Labour Initiatives and Services to Regions. In this capacity, she participates in the launching and deployment of the labour committee which constitutes a priority for the Cluster and for the whole of the aluminum industry. She is also in charge of maintaining relations with universities for the purpose of attracting talent in the field of metallurgy and promoting the usage of aluminum among students in architecture and design. In addition to this component focused on emerging professionals, Malika is also called upon to play an important role as regards the canvassing and active support of the processors in the regions.

Malika holds a second level master’s degree in Organizational Management and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She worked for the Aluminium Valley Society for over six years, including three years as general manager. Thanks to her combination of expertise and knowledge, she brings strategic vision to the Cluster’s growth and development.

T 418 591-3045 | malika.cherry@aluquebec.com 

ERIK HOULE is a project manager for the Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl). He began working at AluQuébec as a trainee in mechanical engineering from the École des technologies supérieures (ÉTS). He is now mandated to contribute to the deployment of the CeAL. His talent will be called upon namely to further the development and implementation of the training plan. He will also be involved in providing technical support for various projects in the industry, as well as in developing structural calculation tools with the ultimale goal of facilitating the use of aluminum.

T 514 873-9294 | erik.houle@ceal.aluquebec.com

JACQUES INTERNOSCIA, is Director, Strategic Programs since October 1st, 2017. Jacques has been involved in the Cluster since 2016, as co-chair of the Infrastructure and bridges working group, as a member of the Transport Equipment working group, as responsible for co-ordinating the research and mapping of various research projects, particularly in Infrastructure and bridges for AluQuébec. He also helped to start the Centre d'expertise sur l'aluminium (CeAl). Until recently, Jacques Internoscia act as Director of Strategic Programs for the Aluminum Association of Canada (AAC). He was responsible for the organization, coordination and follow-up of sector-specific issues arising from the organization's strategic plan.

Jacques holds an MBA from the Université du Québec à Montréal and a bachelor's degree in Economic-Geography from Université de Montréal and McGill. He has more than thirty years of management experience in the mass transit and infrastructures sectors. He headed the Center of Expertise and Research on Infrastructures in Urban Areas (CERIU), was Associate Director at Investissement Québec, Director Corporate Planning at the STM and Surface Transportation Commissioner at Ville de Montréal.

T 514 983-7914 | jinternoscia@aluquebec.com

MARIE-ÉLAINE JACOME, is Director of the working groups at AluQuébec and has been with the organization since October 2015. She brings to the table more than ten years of manufacturing sector experience. Having worked at Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters (QME), the province’s largest industrial organization, she has excellent knowledge of the industrial milieu. Marie-Élaine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and has good marketing and customer relations skills.

Marie-Élaine’s role includes following up on cluster projects, from the development to completion stages. She has a global view of AluQuébec’s working group actions, which strategically contribute to the achievement of the cluster’s objectives. Marie-Élaine also overseas contacts between stakeholders and follows up on all working group projects.

T 514 905-4836 | marie-elaine.jacome@aluquebec.com

YASMINE KHOUANI is a project manager of the workink groups. She will collaborate in the logistics of meetings, the follow-up and the realization of AluQuébec's projects. Reporting to the project coordinator, Yasmine will contribute to the performance of the projects through her results and processes. She will also be asked to take action on the issue related to the impact of tariffs and countermeasures between Quebec processors and other countries. Yasmine graduated in international urban planning from the University of Québec in Montréal. She also holds a BA in Architecture from Saad Dahleb University in Bilda, Algeria. Her training and international experience make Yasmine a valuable collaborator who can certainly contribute to the achievement of the Cluster's objectives.

T 514 873-1415 | yasmine.khouani@aluquebec.com

FRANÇOISE LADOUCEUR is AluQuébec’s administration and finance coordinator. During the past 30 years, Françoise has acquired a broad range of experience in supporting administrative projects in various environnements, both on the associate side as well as for different cities and municipalities.

Françoise provides administrative support for the Cluster’s upper management. She coordinates board of director and executive committee meetings and the annual general assembly. She also oversees the management of accounting, financial operations and the organization’s budget.

T 514 905-4839 | francoise.ladouceur@aluquebec.com

DAVID PRUD'HOMME, Eng., M. Eng., has been director of AluQuébec’s Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl) since November 2016. He has more than ten years of market development, project management and engineering experience. Through his work with a range of private companies, David participated in the design and optimization of aluminum products while rigorously implementing existing standards.

 
David's priority as CeAl director, is leading the center of expertise’s creation and deployment. He will work closely with all Québec aluminium sector stakeholders to accomplish this. This will enable him to inform sector professionals about aluminium-related standards, building codes, benefits, usage opportunities, as well as design technologies and tools. David will thus help to drive the aluminum processing sector’s growth and influence in Québec and elsewhere.

T. 514 905-4833 | david.prudhomme@ceal.aluquebec.com

Strategic Consultants

MARIO FAFARD, Ph.D., Eng., FCSCE is a consultant for AluQuébec’s Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl). His mandate consists in supporting the work of the CeAl director regarding all issues linked to the field of infrastructure and bridges. Mario’s tasks also include a participation in the deployment of the supporting committees in the area of training, as well as in innovation, research and development.

Mario is a civil engineer. He has worked at Laval University for 31 years. He founded the Aluminum Reseach Centre – REGAL which he directed until 2018, and was a NSERC/Alcoa industrial research chair holder. He has published over 250 scientific papers, and has trained and supervised 100 graduate-level students. He acted as a scientific advisor during the start-up of the NRC Aluminum Technology Centre. He worked with a team of research scientists on the design of aluminum flooring systems and continues to contribute to this aluminum bridge project.

T 418 254-2456 | mario.fafard@ceal.aluquebec.com

DENIS GIGUÈRE acts as a consultant for AluQuébec. Since 2016, Denis has ensured the leadership of the Equipment and Specialized Suppliers working group which includes about 40 Québec companies. Denis acquired an extensive knowledge of the aluminum industry working for almost 37 years for Alcan and Rio Tinto.

Holder of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and civil engineering, he has worked mainly in the electrolysis sector of production, in continual improvement, in engineering, and at Rio Tinto’s regional economic development office in Saguenay. Denis wishes to pursue his work with enterprises in the aluminum industry with the view of increasing our collective wealth in Québec and contributing to the success of AluQuébec.

T 418 812-0545 | denis.giguere@aluquebec.com

LYSANE MARTEL, joined AluQuébec in March 2017. Her mandate is to increase the visibility of the cluster’s services among various industry stakeholders, to create synergies and thus promote increased aluminum processing in Québec. Lysane is a communications professional that has more than 25 years of experience, including 12 years at Alcoa where she was responsible for communications and public affairs. Lysane thus brings to the table a strong understanding of the issues and challenges facing the aluminum industry. She holds a Bachelor of Communications degree from Concordia University and a certificate in public relations from l’Université de Montréal.

T 514 927-2537 | lysane.martel@aluquebec.com
 

The financial partners of AluQuébec are:

• Canada Economic Development 
  (Government of Canada)
• Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine
• Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation
  (Government of Québec)
• Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
• Aluminium Association of Canada
• Rio Tinto Alcan
• Alcoa
• Alouette
• Albecour
• McCarthy Tétrault
• Deloitte
• Investissement Québec

Founding members

• Jacques Caya, President, Industries Jaro
• Yvon D'Anjou, President, YDA Conseil
• Arthur Gobeil, Advisory Partner, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton
• Daniel Robillard, Sales Manager, METRA Aluminiumm
• Jean Simard, President and CEO, Aluminium Association of Canada
• Jean Simon, administrateur de sociétés

Organizations and associations

• Aluminium Valley Society
• Lemoltech Foundry
• Partitions Manufacturiers Associés (P.M.A.)
• Trans-Al Network

Processing companies

• 3M Canada
• 911 Innovation
• 9169-3697 Québec Inc.
• A3 Surfaces
• Acier profilé SBB
• Alfiniti
• Almaho inc.
• Alphacasting inc.
• AnodiQ inc.
• Atelier de Soudure Gilles Roy
• Atelier des Vieilles Forges
• Ateliers Régis Lessard
• ATIQC (Alliage Titane Québec)
• Ball Technologies Avancées d'Aluminium Canada
• Canimex Group
• Centre de sous-traitance du métal
• Centrem ltée – Division groupe Demex inc.
• Ceradyne Canada
• CNC-SPEC
• Composites BHS inc.
• Coupesag Laser Jet d'eau 
• CSTM inc.
• Dajcor Aluminum Ltd 
• Desmarais & Gagné inc. / DreamAircraft inc.
• Dynamic Concept
• EBM Laser
• Entreprises RYM
• Estampage J.P.L. Ltée
• Extrudex Aluminium (Québec) inc.
• Fabrication Fransi inc.
• Féricar
• Fonderie BSL inc.
• Fonderie Fondalco inc.
• Fonderie Lemoltech inc.
• Fonderie Pelletier inc.
• Fonderie Saguenay ltée
• Fondrémy inc.
• General Cable
• Groupe Canimex
• Groupe Côté Inox
• Groupe J.L. Leclerc Inc.
• Groupe Sotrem-Maltech
• IEL ltée
• Indotech Industrial Doors
• Innovation industrielle Boivin inc.
• INTRAL
• Kadrium design
• Les industries M.E.S. / STACA
• MAADI Group
• Matritech
• Métal Laroche
• Métalus
• Multifini
• Ocean Group
• Paber aluminium
• PCP Canada
• Pedno SCP89 inc.
• PEXAL‐TECALUM
• Powercast Manufacturing
• Précicast ltée
• PRO‐Métal plus inc.
• Quenneville
• Rand Alloys inc. Division de Combined Metal Industrie
• Raufoss - Neuman Aluminium
• Ryerson Canada inc.
• Sablage au jet 2000
• SAPA Aluminium
• Sawnode
• SH Immersive Environments
• Signalisation Kalitec
• Soltrem-Maltech Group
• Soudure Brault
• Spectra Aluminum Products inc.
• Stace - Saint-Augustin Canada Electric
• Technologies DUAL‐ADE inc.
• Tiger-Vac International
• Unico revêtement métallique
• Usi‐Fab Express inc.
• Verbom

Equipment and specialized suppliers

• 2T2 Group inc.
• AV&R
• Advanced Dynamics Corporation
• Aluminium Distinction
• Aluquip
• Alutech TTRG inc.
• Alutrec inc.
• Centre hydraulique Hydrep inc.
• Co2 zéro inc..
• Cycles Devinci inc.
• Cyrell AMP 
• D.B. Protection équipement environnemental
• Dcade véloneige
• Demers Manufacturier d'Ambulances inc.
• Dicsa Automatisation inc.
• Entreprises RYM
• Eocycle Technologies inc
• Équibras
• Équipements JPB (Les)
• FilterFab
• Fives Solios
• Fourgons Élite
• Fourgons Leclair inc.
• Gestion Robgroup
• GNA alutech inc.
• Groupe B.R. Métal
• Groupe Bussières inc.
• Groupe Cambli
• Groupe Delom
• Groupe Tremblay
• Industrie Halrai inc.
• Industries Dodec inc.
• Ingenia technologies
• Inter Fonction Ltée
• JRC Machinery
• Laflamme portes et fenêtres corp.
• Laserax inc.
• Laval Poinçons & Matrices Ltée
• Le Groupe PNF inc.
• Les industries G.E. Gilbert inc.
• Les Peintures Caméléon inc.
• Les Peintures JAD 
• Les Quais du phare 
• LITO Green Motion inc.
• M.C.M.E.L. inc.
• Mercier, Industries en mécanique ltée
• Maestria Solutions
• Mecfor
• Métal 7
• Metal Protection Lenoli
• MF2 AERO
• Micro‐Roulotte i Goutte
• Montfort International ltée
• Norcan Aluminium inc.
• Patio et terrasse 2000
• Poralu Marine inc.
• Prelco inc.
• Prévost Div. de Groupe Volvo Canada inc.
• Pro Max Trailers
• Produits forestiers Munger inc.
• Protoconsul
• PVC Architectural inc.
• Pyrotek
• Ramp‐Art
• Refraco
• Remorques 2000
• Revêtements illusion inc.
• Robert Hydraulique inc.
• Safari Condo
• Sefar BDH
• S. Huot
• SigmaDek Ltd
• Sixpro inc.
• Snoc
• STAS
• TM4 inc.
• Usinage Numérique HB
• Vitrerie A & E Fortin inc.
• Voltam inc.

Technical authorities

• Aluminium Innovation
• AVT Management
• Cercle Communication
• Consultants SL&B
• Fives Services Inc.
• Foundry Solutions & Metallurgical Services
• Group Castech‐Plessitech
• Groupe EDS inc.
• Groupe Hyperforme
• Industries CARPO
• JFP Design inc.
• KEOPS Technologies
• L’Équipe Fabconcept inc.
• Merkur
• Moreau
• MSB Design
• Multitech
• Norduyn
• Novilco
• Precicad
• SKL Aluminium Technologie inc.
• Technique Surface Lab
• WSP Canada

Research, development and training centres

• Alcoa Innovation
• Aluminium Technology Centre - (NRCC)
• Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ)
• Centre de technologies avancées BRP
• Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)
• Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre de la métallurgie du Québec (CSMO)
• Laboratoire des technologies de l’énergie (LTE)
• Nature Alu
• REGAL - Aluminium Research Centre
• Soudure Technik Al13

Financial partners

• AON Parizeau
• Réseau Capital

Major partners

• Albecour
• Alcoa Canada
• Aluminerie Alouette
• Aluminium Association of Canada
• Deloitte
• Investissement Québec
• McCarthy Tétrault
• Rio Tinto

Observers

• Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM)
• Ministère des Finances
• Réseau de la transformation métallique du Québec (RTMQ)
• Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine
• Serdex International
• STIQ

Board of Directors

Founding members

• Jacques Caya, Industries Jaro
• Arthur Gobeil
• Daniel Robillard, Metra Aluminium
• Jean Simard, Aluminium Association of Canada 
• Jean Simon

Organizations and associations

• Paulyne Cadieux, Réseau Trans-Al

Centres for research, development and training

• Mathieu Brochu, Aluminium Research Centre – REGAL
• Gilles Déry, Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium
• Gheorghe Marin, Québec Metallurgy Centre 

Processing companies

• Stéphane Amyot, Sural Québec
• Michel Boudreault, Sotrem-Maltech Group
• Patrick Gharzani, Acier Profilé SBB
• Martin Lepage, Groupe Océan
• Yves Tremblay, Sefar BDH

Equipment suppliers

• Thierry Allegrucci, Fives Group
• Louis Bouchard, STAS
• Patrice Côté, Dynamic Concept
• Éloïse Harvey, Mecfor
• Mario McDonald, Delom

Technical authorities

• Joe Petrolito, Hatch

Financial partners

• Jean Wilhelmy, Fonds de solidarité FTQ

Major partners

• Pierre Boisvert, Albecour
• Louis-Nicolas Boulanger, McCarthy Tétrault
• Gérald Charland, Aluminerie Alouette
• Luc Cyrenne, Rio Tinto
• Linda Houle, Investissement Québec
• François Racine, Alcoa
• Ferdinand Tchounkeu, Nespresso

Observers

• Peter Edwards, ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation (MEI)

Independants

• Normand Bergeron, Chairman of Board, AluQuébec
• Stéphane Bergeron
• Russel Tremblay, Développement économique de Sept-Îles

Executive Committee

• Normand Bergeron, Chairman of the Board
• Éloïse Harvey, Vice-President
• Arthur Gobeil, Treasurer
• Jean Simard, Secretary
• Michel Boudreault
• Jacques Caya
• Luc Cyrenne
• Yves Tremblay
• Marie Lapointe, AluQuébec's Chief Executive Officer

Mission

Foster synergistic connections between end users and the various actors in the aluminium industrial value chain and use training, innovation and technological development to increase the processing and use of aluminium.

Objectives

Double aluminium processed in Québec over the next decade and support the activities of equipment suppliers.

How to do so:

• Maximize the use of aluminium in target markets
• Develop solutions for the structural issues facing the industry
• Educate OEMs about using and incorporating aluminium into their products
• Support aluminium processors as they develop and enter national and international markets
• Develop new uses for aluminium
• Strengthen and enhance the network of Québec equipment suppliers and recognize their leadership role on the world market

Vision

Build on Québec's position as a global leader in the aluminium industry to:

• Grow the aluminium processing industry with a view to sustainable development
• Recognize the true value of aluminium as a material of choice
• Affirm the leadership role of Québec equipment suppliers on the international market

Through its members, R & D centres, primary aluminium producers and processors, the Québec Aluminium Cluster can offer specialized training to aluminium users and OEMs interested in using more aluminium in their products or manufacturing processes. It can also help select the best alloys and manufacturing and assembly processes, as well as provide assistance with part development, prototyping, and the formulation of innovative solutions promoting the use of aluminium.

The secretariat's Director of Business Development deals directly with numerous OEMs working in a variety of economic sectors that use aluminium. He meets them by attending the major international aluminium industry conferences and expositions as a representative of Québec’ value proposition.

To get connected with research centres or businesses that can simplify the task of incorporating aluminium into products or production processes, interested parties can communicate with Martin Hartlieb, AluQuébec's Director of Business Development. A global expert on aluminium, Mr. Hartlieb also advises manufacturers on which aluminium alloys are best suited to their particular type of production.

Martin Hartlieb
Business Development Director
514 905-4839
martin.hartlieb@aluquebec.com

AluQuébec co-ordinates working groups that create synergies between national and international customers/users and companies active in the Québec aluminium industry. Acting as a catalyst for the efforts of the Québec Aluminium Cluster's constituents, the organization brings together OEMs, producers, processors, equipment suppliers and research, development and training centres to work on major concrete projects.

The goal of AluQuébec is to double the aluminium processed in the province over the next decade and to support the activities of equipment suppliers.

Consequently, AluQuébec works to promote and recognize the expertise of the Québec companies that supply equipment to smelters, processors and users of aluminium, both at home and abroad.

Furthermore, AluQuébec represents its constituents in their dealings with OEMs and companies interested in incorporating more aluminium into the manufacture of their products. Its "business development " service works to create alliances between potential clients and the cluster's aluminium processors.

A provincial cluster

The very first recommendation of the 2006 Canadian Aluminium Transformation Technology Roadmap was to create an organization to coordinate all the players in the aluminium processing industry. In 2012, the innovative industrial cluster model put forth by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) in its 2010-2015 Economic Development Plan was selected to make this collaborative effort become a concrete reality. AluQuébec is the eighth cluster founded by the CMM, with the support of the Quebec and Canadian governments and private partners. The Aluminium Cluster is notable for its province-wide importance, with primary producers operating in Québec's resource-rich regions, processing plants and equipment suppliers located across the province, and customers/users and OEMs found in the Montreal metropolitan region and around the globe.

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AluQuébec

The Quebec Aluminium industrial cluster
Centre de commerce mondial
413, Saint-Jacques Street, Office 500
Montréal, Québec  H2Y 1N9

Phone: 514 905-4839