December 7, 2021 – INNOTEX, the leader in developing and manufacturing personal protective equipment for firefighters and first responders, has opened a new plant in Montreal, bringing its number of manufacturing sites to four in Quebec and five in North America. The company’s new facilities, located at 433 Chabanel Street, which required a major investment of $3 million, will enable INNOTEX to meet the growing demand in North America for its high-quality products.
“Demand for our fire-resistant clothing has increased significantly and continues to rise. Our sales are growing by 15% each year. The new plant will provide us with the additional capacity needed to meet the needs of our clients and maintain our forward momentum,” stated Claude Barbeau, General Manager of INNOTEX.
INNOTEX plans to focus production of its new line of firefighter turnout gear, ENERGY™, at its Montreal facilities.
A team of about 30 employees is already at work following a customized training program, supported by experienced personnel from the INNOTEX plant in Richmond. The company, which expects to reach full capacity in 2023, is currently running a proactive recruitment campaign with the aim of filling 125 positions for Industrial sewing machine operators, support technicians and managers.
“The nature of our business favours stable employment. Technical clothing is in constant demand, enabling us to offer competitive salaries. What’s more, we’ve taken particular care when setting up our new plant to create a rewarding, comfortable work environment. It’s vital that we offer our employees an environment that promotes their personal development and well-being," explained Mr. Barbeau.
Quality Clothing That Protects Lives
INNOTEX’s protective equipment is used by firefighters and first responders in hundreds of fire departments, including some of the biggest in North America. “Our products are distributed throughout the United States and Canada. We’re especially proud to protect firefighters in many Quebec cities and municipalities, including Gatineau, Laval, Lévis, Longueuil, Sherbrooke and Quebec City, as well as Hydro-Québec’s line crews,” said Mr. Barbeau.
In August 2021, INNOTEX launched brand-new protective clothing specially designed for paramedics. This double-certified outfit represents a completely new offering for the Quebec market. Even though production of the new product has just begun, the company has already secured customers such as Demers Ambulances, the Coopératives des techniciens ambulanciers du Québec and the Montérégie (CTAQ and CETAM), the Groupe CAMBI and the Services préhospitaliers Laurentides-Lanaudière.
“At once light, durable and comfortable, INNOTEX products are the result of our unparalleled experience in the field of technical clothing, which spans multiple decades. INNOTEX has succeeded in combining its expertise in extreme sports and in fire-resistant materials to manufacture protective equipment with exceptional performance,” remarked Mr. Barbeau.
Two New Plants in 2021
The inauguration of the Montreal plant follows the acquisition of Technofil, a manufacturer established in Laurierville, Quebec, in May this year.
INNOTEX now has 280 employees across its five plants—four in Quebec (Richmond, Warwick, Laurierville and Montreal) and one in Alabama, in the United States. Since 2018, INNOTEX has invested over $2 million in the modernization of its facilities and equipment along with its R&D activities, with the aim of offering its customers the ultimate in performance and innovation.
“This announcement confirms Quebec’s capabilities in the area of designing and manufacturing high-quality technical clothing. The INNOTEX team’s unique expertise is central to its phenomenal growth over the past few years. Its highly reliable products, renowned for their remarkable durability and performance, are sought after by top customers in North America,” noted Dany Charest, General Manager, TechniTextile Québec, the Technical Textile Materials Cluster.
Source: Lollie Gagnon, Innotex
Photo: Innotex
Photo caption: Louis Carpentier, President, and Claude Barbeau, General Manager of Innotex
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