Government Aid To Help Soucy Techno Expand Quebec Mixing Factory

André Bacchant, a member of Quebec's National Assembly in Richmond, said the Quebec government wants to help companies that want to modernize their factories and increase productivity.

"With this investment, Susi Techno will strengthen its position in the market and better respond to customer needs as it grows," he said. "I am delighted with the innovative spirit of this great business, whose success will be demonstrated throughout the region and across Quebec."

Bedard said Suzy will add 20 to 25 new jobs during the project, bringing the Sherbrooke site to 250.

Besides farming, President Susi Techno expects the blender to be profitable in government projects, mining, power sports and defense, among others. About half of the rubber compound is sold by Susi Techno to overseas customers, while the rest is used by other divisions of the Susi Group to manufacture various products.

Bedard said he doesn't expect a slowdown in the market segments the company serves, so he believes his company will get enough business to use the extra tires it produces.

The company focuses not on product applications, but on areas where its technical expertise and research help it stand out in the custom car market.

“We have an excellent research and development team with years of experience. It shows the effectiveness of our relationship,” Bidar said. "We are highly specialized and (focus on) technical, high-quality, high-performance vehicles."

Soucy Techno sales director Michael Cassin told Rubber News that Soucy works closely with customers to develop the compounds needed for a specific application.

"We work with them in their facilities and help them understand what's going on," he said. "We have very close relationships with all of our customers."

Bedard points to the company's proprietary Soucyprene blend as a testament to its research and development prowess. Materials are made to military specifications for a unibody pad and include Kevlar-aramid fibers and nanotube technology to stiffen the joint.