25 Feb Turbulence creates opportunities for further progress
Jean-François Desaulniers, Vice-President and General Manager, Croesus
Click here to read the original article published in French in the February 17th edition of Courrier Laval.
The tariff war initiated by the Trump administration poses a significant challenge to businesses in Laval. Yet, instead of succumbing to panic, it’s possible to see this as an opportunity to strengthen our local economy. The time is ripe for adaptation and innovation to preserve our jobs and our competitiveness.
Firstly, increasing our productivity is a necessity. Quebec lags behind our southern neighbors in terms of automation. Increased integration of technologies and optimization of processes will allow Laval businesses to produce better and faster, thereby offsetting the impact of tariffs.
Secondly, innovation must be at the heart of our response. The pandemic has further demonstrated that adversity stimulates creativity. Investing in research and development, adopting more efficient practices, and focusing on differentiated products will help us remain competitive.
Another crucial lever is the diversification of our export markets. Too many Quebec businesses are still dependent on the United States. It’s time to accelerate our opening towards other markets, notably Europe and Asia, where demand for quality and sustainable products is growing strongly.
Finally, this period demands strengthened solidarity within our business ecosystem. The CCILaval plays a key role in supporting businesses in optimizing their supply chains, promoting local purchasing, and supporting the circular economy.
An example? By working with the Symbiose Laval team, a company found a way to recover its glassine. This is the waxed paper found under labels before they are affixed.
Rather than discarding it, they send it to Soprema, which recycles the cellulose fiber to make insulation. This Quebec product becomes a high-performance local alternative to the famous pink mineral wool from the American company Owens Corning. Rather than succumbing to these turbulences, our business community can emerge stronger. This difficult context is an invitation to rethink our economic model to better prosper tomorrow.