Altex receives $5M in funding to support its growth

Automation at Altex: something to watch for machinists and production operators in Terrebonne

A Terrebonne-based Quebec manufacturer has just received a major financial boost to modernize its production lines – news that deserves attention from anyone working in industrial manufacturing in the region. Investissement Québec and the BDC are investing more than $5 million in Altex, a specialist in high-end window covering systems, to automate part of its manufacturing operations.

A company expanding, not downsizing

It would be easy to see the word “automation” and assume it poses a threat to jobs. The reality is more nuanced. Altex is experiencing strong business growth, with sales increasing by nearly 15% this year to surpass $50 million, driven by new strategic partnerships in both Canada and the United States. The company is not reducing its operations – it is scaling up to meet demand that already exceeds its current capacity.

This means modernizing existing production roles rather than simply replacing labour, a scenario that is becoming increasingly common in Quebec’s manufacturing sector, where companies are looking to do more with their existing teams rather than replace them.

What this means for the regional talent pool

For employers and candidates in manufacturing, this type of transformation typically comes with growing demand for workers capable of operating and maintaining automated equipment: CNC machine operators, automation technicians, industrial mechanics, and production supervisors familiar with modern manufacturing environments.

Companies investing in automation are rarely looking for traditional manufacturing profiles. They are looking for workers who can operate more sophisticated production lines, creating valuable opportunities for candidates looking to expand their technical skills.

With more than 200 employees and a fourth family generation already preparing to take over, Altex represents the type of well-established Quebec manufacturing SME that remains rooted in its community – a stable, growing employer that continues to invest locally despite a complex North American tariff environment.

Source: Les Affaires