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Intral doubles the capacity of its Princeville Plant
An investment in Quebec’s aluminium transformation industry
Princeville, Quebec, October 13, 2000—One of the world’s leading producers of aluminum‑clad steel wire and cable, Intral, a limited partnership and subsidiary of Sural Group of Caracas, Venezuela, and the Société générale de financement du Québec, today announced that it has doubled the capacity of its Princeville plant. The facility was expanded and upgraded following a $16 million investment, in partnership with the Société générale de financement du Québec and in collaboration with Investissement Québec. This strategic investment enabled Intral to add 48,000 square feet to the plant, resulting in a 50% increase in the production of aluminum‑clad steel wire destined primarily for the rapidly growing global market for fibre‑optic ground wire. With this expanded facility, Intral will also be able to diversify its production and develop new high‑precision aluminum products.
Dr. Alfredo Riviere, President of Sural Group and Chairman of Intral made the announcement yesterday at the plant’s official opening. Special guests included Bernard Landry, Quebec’s Deputy Premier and Minister of State for the Economy and Finance; Claude Blanchet, President, Chairman and CEO of the Société générale de financement du Québec; and Louis Roquet, President of Investissement Québec. The Intral plant is now equipped with state‑of‑the‑art machinery and new product lines of specialized aluminum tubes, bars and core sheathing. About 20 new employees will be hired, bringing Intral’s total staff to over 50.
“This event underscores the strategic importance of Intral in Quebec’s aluminum transformation industry,” said Dr. Riviere. “Once the plant is operating at its full capacity, the volume of aluminum transformed in Princeville will have increased from 700 to 2,200 metric tons. This is good news for Quebec‑based aluminum manufacturers and for Intral.”
“It is important to bear in mind that our financial contribution and highly qualified labour force contributed significantly to Intral’s choice of Quebec for its expansion project,” said Mr. Landry. “That is why, on behalf of the Quebec government, I am pleased to support this investment, since it is crucial for Quebec, as a major aluminum producer, to be able to transform this resource here at home, especially with the ever‑growing global demand.”
“Intral’s expanded aluminum transformation capacity will strengthen Quebec’s aluminum industry and help fuel its expansion. This new facility will also position Intral as an important player in the industry,” added Mr. Blanchet.
Louis Roquet explained that Investissement Québec participated in the project by providing $1 million in assistance, through its Faire program, as well as an interest-free loan of $1.2 million for fixed assets.
Intral was created through a partnership between Sural Group and the Société générale de financement du Québec. A dynamic company that uses state‑of‑the‑art equipment to produce aluminum‑clad steel wire, Intral supplies leading international manufacturers of fibre‑optic ground wire, as well as electric power producers. Intral is one of the leading companies of its field in North America. The only one of its kind in Canada, Intral is the undisputed leader in the production of highly sophisticated aluminum parts and the world leader in aluminum-clad steel wire production.
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INFORMATION:
Michel Lemaire
President
Intral
ext. 224
Hubert Bolduc
Press Officer
Deputy Premier’s Office
or
Danielle Dussault
Communications Coordinator
Société générale de financement du Québec
Cindy Cannon
Communications Consultant
Investissement Québec
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