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SGF Tech invests in Hemera Technologies in Hull
Hemera receives the largest ever investment in West Québec’s Information Technology sector
Hull, March 30th 2001 - Mr. Gilles Baril, Quebec’s Minister of State for the Regions and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Marc‑Antoine Benglia, Mr. David Hood and Mr. Simon Grégoire, President, CEO and CTO of Hemera Technologies respectively, along with Mr. Claude Blanchet, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Société générale de financement du Québec, today announced an investment round of US$16.3M (CAD$25.5M) in Hemera Technologies Inc. of Hull. Also participating in the round are existing shareholders CDP Accès Capital, a division of the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec, and the Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais.
Minister Baril emphasized the importance of this investment in the Outaouais region. "The creation of 50 new jobs in Hull over the next two years is testimony to the success of provincial support for the new economy. In addition to the positive impact Hemera has had on our multimedia sector, it will become an important strategic partner for the giants of the IT industry."
Mr. Sylvain Simard, the Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and Chairman of the Treasury Board, stressed that "the existence of synergies with other projects within Quebec, and the ability to improve the global infrastructure for content production, can only benefit the Information Technology Development Center (ITDC) of Hull."
“SGF Tech’s contribution to Hemera will also benefit the development of Quebec’s entire information technology industry,” said Claude Blanchet. “This will have a positive impact on the multimedia sector by providing both local and international businesses homegrown content from Quebec. We have the utmost confidence in Hemera’s expertise and are proud of its fine global reputation.”
"We are pleased to bring SGF Tech, one of Canada’s major investment institutions, to the table," said Marc‑Antoine Benglia, President of Hemera Technologies. "Their recognition of our unique position and market potential, especially with current market conditions, is testimony to Hemera’s vision and the commercial and creative standards we have set for ourselves."
“Hemera Technologies’ winning business model, in combination with today’s investment, will strengthen our position among the world’s top-ranking visual content and technology suppliers,” added David Hood, CEO of Hemera Technologies. “We look forward to continuing our tremendous revenue and profit growth in the future.”
The investment confirms the company’s position as a world leader in wholly owned, royalty‑free digital content and image management technology geared towards both the consumer professional and designer markets. Hemera intends to solidify its position through its two traditional distribution channels, retail and OEM, and to broaden its Internet activities. This major e-commerce initiative will permit the firm to tap into the $5 billion digital image market and allow it to proceed with other strategic acquisitions.
About SGF Tech
SGF Tech is a subsidiary of the Société générale de financement du Québec, whose mission is to carry out economic development projects that meet normal profitability requirements, in collaboration with business partners. Since it was restructured in 1998, SGF has generated investments of about $2 billion, creating over 9,000 direct and indirect jobs in the operating phase, in addition to thousands of jobs created during the construction phase. As of December 31, 1999, SGF’s consolidated assets totalled close to $2 billion. SGF has 40 international partners operating in Quebec.
About Hemera Technologies Inc.
Privately held Hemera Technologies Inc. is a world‑leading provider of wholly-owned, royalty-free digital content and image management technology. Hemera’s products are geared towards both the consumer professional/business and designer markets. Hemera was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in the Ottawa‑Hull region (Canada).
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For further information, visit www.hemera.com, or call .
Sources : Sylvie Brousseau
Director of Communications
Société générale de financement
Marc-Antoine Benglia
Hemera Technologies
, ext.286
Johanne Pelletier
Office of the Minister of State for Regions and Minister of Industry and Trade
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