2023-06-18 19:08:07
Nearly 68% of companies in the manufacturing sector plan to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies in the next few years, according to a survey by the MEQ from 104 companies.
However, intentions are more mixed on the side of the smallest companies. Among small manufacturing companies, 49% do not want to invest in technology over the next three years or are undecided about it.
Lack of expertise is a barrier while 63% consider their knowledge bad
or acceptable
.
MEQ, Véronique Proulx. I think that if we wanted to be more surgical, where there is an issue is with the PME, small business.”,”text”:”Of course, in Quebec, we still have a lot of money available. There are a lot of programs, comments the president and CEO of MEQ, Véronique Proulx. I think that if we wanted to be more surgical, where there is an issue is with SMEs, small businesses.””>Of course, in Quebec, we still have a lot of money available. There are many programs, comments the President and CEO of MEQ, Véronique Proulx. I think that if we wanted to be more surgical, where there is an issue is with the PMEsmall business.
PME, what we miss a lot is the accompaniment, she adds. Support to find out what technology exists abroad, support to find out about resources, support to find out what exists as a subsidy program, tax credits.”,”text “:”In SMEs, what we lack a lot is support, she adds. Support to find out what technology exists abroad, support to find out about resources, support to find out what exists as a subsidy program, tax credits.”” >In the PME, what we miss a lot is the accompaniment, she adds. Accompaniment to find out what technology exists abroad, accompaniment to find out about resources, accompaniment to find out what exists as a subsidy program, tax credits.
Companies chilly
to invest
Experience varies from company to company in accessing finance. Among the respondents, 54% say that it was relatively easy to obtain financing to undertake their technological transformation. 46% described their experience as difficult.
Among the companies that succeeded in obtaining their financing, 70% received financial support from the government. In this group, 77% found their experience positive.
Investment is a crucial element for the sustainability of a business, insists Ms. Proulx.
« What I see on the ground is that companies that do not invest, the smallest ones, will eventually encounter a technological wall. »
Entrepreneurs thinking of selling their businesses in the next few years to retire might be surprised to find they’re not able to get the price they want, she warns.
The scarcity of labor is also pushing some businesses to a dead end, notes Ms. Proulx. Companies need automation to compensate for the lack of arms, but they do not necessarily find the qualified personnel to operate these machines.
The survey also shows that the economic context is of concern to a good number of entrepreneurs. A third of them claim to have canceled or postponed a project due to the economic context.
Me, what I hear when I speak with different companies is [qu’elles] are hesitant to invest right now, given the level of inflation and interest rates, adds Véronique Proulx. There are many projects that are postponed.
1687122955
#Manufacturing #SMEs #risk #hitting #technological #wall