Quebec-based composites producer RMC Advanced Technologies plans to set up U.S. operations to take advantage of Buy American policies.
RMC chose Surgoinsville, Tenn., to invest $7 million in a composite components production plant that is expected to create 54 new jobs.
RMC President Denis Bertrand said in an email correspondence with Plastics News that the project includes buying $4.5 million worth of equipment. Start-up of production is targeted for the first quarter of 2019. The new operation mainly will supply demand in bus, truck and industrial markets.
RMC is a subsidiary of Sigma Industries Inc., an industrial products manufacturer established in 2005 in Saint Ephrem de Beauce, Quebec. Bertrand also is president of Sigma.
"This location in the U.S. represents an important strategic milestone for us," Bertrand noted in a May 17 news release from Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development.
"It is the first step in our strategy to grow our operations in the U.S. market. In essence, it will allow us to better serve existing customers while providing us with the opportunity to grow our business in a market of significant size. Furthermore, we are proud to be in a position to serve our transit industry customers with Buy America compliant products."
Bertrand stated his company has already been doing business in the United States.
Sigma logged sales of C$13.7 million (US$10.7 million) for the quarter ended Jan. 27. Its shares trade on the TSX Ventures stock exchange in Toronto.
"It means a great deal that another international-based company has chosen our state for its new operations," stated DECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe in a news release.
"Tennessee is home to more than 70 Canadian-owned companies that employ approximately 8,000 Tennesseans and we appreciate RMC for creating 54 new jobs in our state and Surgoinsville."
