TRADITIONAL SECTORS
In LaSalle, several manufacturing sectors so-called « traditional » still occupy an important part of the economic activity. Indeed, in 2010, 111 companies have been recorded in this sector while about 4,296 people worked there. In LaSalle, the manufacturing sector includes more specifically the manufacturing of metallic products, the biofood and the printing sectors. Even though they are not part of high technology sectors they remain targets for numerous innovation strategies within the economic development of LaSalle.
Manufacturing of metallic products
On the LaSalle territory, 22 companies operating in the manufacturing sector have been listed in 2010 employing 242 workers.
Biofood
The biofood sector is the main manufacturing sector in Quebec. In LaSalle, 13 companies operating in the areas of food production, drinks, and tobacco products employ 1,028 workers.
Printing
Ten businesses are listed within the printing sector in LaSalle. The printing industry is divided in three main activity sectors:
- Commercial forms
- Newspapers, magazines, periodicals and books
- Other commercial printing
In 2010, the printing sector created 752 jobs in LaSalle.
EMERGING SECTORS
Two other types of activity are presently emerging in LaSalle: optics-photonics and logistics.
Optics-photonics
A project in the realm of optics-photonics should become reality during 2009. A pre-feasibility study was done and we are presently analysing ways to put it into concrete form. The project was developed in cooperation with major partners among which we can find Cegep André Laurendeau, OPTECH Center for technology transfer, Montreal International, and the Réseau Photonique du Québec.
Logistic
Quebec has a major gap in the innovation process of the supply chain and transportation fields. This is what fills the Montreal International Logistics Institute (MILI), a College-level Center of Technology Transfer (CCTT) specialized in the logistics field and affiliated with Cégep André-Laurendeau. MILI's mission is to intervene in firms' applied research and technical help activities in order to participate in the elaboration and realization of projects favouring innovation and technological integration. It also maintains a technology watch in its specialization field and offers tools and information services.
Applied research centre
An applied research center hosting the College-level Center for Technology Transfer (CCTT) in optics-photonics, OPTECH, and in logistics, the Montreal International Logistics Institute (MILI), will soon emerge. Built using the facilities of the Cégep André-Laurendeau, it will also feature business partners and R & D, a business incubator and a support service to the establishment of local and foreign companies in North America . |
