APN WINS “AEROSPACE SME OF THE YEAR” GRAND PRIZE

Aéro Montréal presents 2018 Gilles-Demers Awards to best performing aerospace SMEs

Montréal, October 29, 2018 – Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, presented the 2018 Gilles-Demers Awards at a gala evening held on Friday, October 26 at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal. Nearly 300 people representing Québec’s aerospace industry attended the unveiling of the winners.

Every two years, the Gilles-Demers Awards recognize aerospace SMEs who have distinguished themselves in various categories. A Grand Prix is also awarded.

“Gilles Demers was an entrepreneur for whom the development of a strong Québec industry rests in the ability of companies to come together to offer the best. He was passionate about promoting Québec’s aerospace industry. By highlighting the outstanding performance of winning SMEs, we are also paying tribute to him,” said Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal.

“The Québec aerospace industry is efficient, innovative, competitive and diversified. The success of Québec SMEs is contributing to the competitiveness and success of our industry the world over through the excellence of their achievements and their ability to take their place in a high-tech sector. The four SMEs that are receiving the Gilles‑Demers Awards clearly reflect Québec’s know-how and expertise in the aerospace sector,” noted Minister of Economy and Innovation Pierre Fitzgibbon.

The Gilles-Demers Awards jury was composed of aerospace entrepreneurs and experts, and chaired by PwC Canada.

APN – SME of the Year

Over the years, APN has made several acquisitions and expanded its activities abroad, helping to increase the profiles of the Québec aerospace industry and Québec City on the international stage.

Pole Air Aviation – Winner in the Wealth Creation and Outreach category

Pole Air Aviation has distinguished itself by focusing its strategic plan on the main challenges of the day. Its employees’ commitment to the company and the community was also a determining factor.

AP&C – Winner in the Commitment to Innovation category

AP&C has demonstrated its commitment to innovate in all its activities, thanks in particular to a full traceability of its products. Innovation is also reflected in the company’s manufacturing process and organization structure, which aims to keep hierarchy to a minimum.

Optimum Canada – Winner in the Business Development and Internationalization category

Through its innovative spirit, Optimum Canada has demonstrated a desire to establish a niche, and this spirit has been its international spearhead. By developing the Piranha brand through a targeted strategy and exceptional positioning, the company has set itself apart from the competition and developed an international distribution strategy.

 

Thank you to our partners who helped us to hold this event:

PwC Canada, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Investissement Québec, Norton Rose Fulbright, BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), EDC (Export Development Canada) and ADM (Aéroports de Montréal).

 

About Aéro Montréal

Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that groups all major decision makers in Québec’s aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations and unions.

The activities of Aéro Montréal are made possible thanks to the participation of the governments of Québec and Canada and the Montréal Metropolitan Community, as well as  company members of the cluster.

 

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Gwenaël Brisé

Manager, Communications and Media Relations

 

Aéro Montréal

Off: 514 987-9395|cell: 438 497-3857

 

gwenael.brise@aeromontreal.ca