Employee working at the cutting of textiles in a factory.

Logistik Unicorp: Shaping out Quebec’s textile sector

Summary

Business: Logistik Unicorp inc.
Region: Greater Montréal
Program: Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)
Result: A contract valued at up to $2.7 billion over 20 years
Spin-offs: 4500 jobs across the country, including several hundred in Quebec

The good news

On July 6, 2020, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu business Logistik Unicorp landed a major contract with Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND). The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-based business will clothe Canadian military personnel for non-combat tasks: shorts, shirts, shoes, medical gowns, etc. The six-year firm contract, valued at $415 million, could run for 20 years to more than $2.7 billion if the business continues to meet DND’s requirements.

Concrete spin-offs

To obtain this contract, Logistik Unicorp committed to contribute vigorously to the Canadian economy, in accordance with the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy. Under this policy, prime contractors that conclude defence supply contracts are required to conduct activities in Canada matching the value of the contract obtained in order to guarantee high value-added commercial activities.

Logistik Unicorp will intensify its activities, including in research and development and in skills development. “We want to build major innovative projects with the power to revolutionize our sector of activity to the benefit of Canadian Armed Forces members,” explains Karine Bibeau, Vice-President Client Experience at Logistik Unicorp.

Karine Bibeau sees concrete spin-offs for the textile industry in Quebec.
Karine Bibeau sees concrete spin-offs for the textile industry in Quebec.
 

“Through the federal government’s collaboration, we have the opportunity to support thousands of jobs and ensure Canada’s textile and clothing industry remains sustainable,”

rejoices Ms. Bibeau.

A work to accompany the industry

Seamstress at work at Logistik Unicorp.
Logistik designs medical gowns for Canada's health care system.

To support the prime contractor, CED’s ITB team has been working on several fronts since 2015, including taking steps with federal partners, conducting textile industry market analyses, contributing to the development of the call for tenders, etc. “The team had to demonstrate that Quebec’s textile industry could meet the demand while also meeting high ethical standards, for example by offering fair wages and a safe work environment,” explains Jessica Martel, Manager, Industrial and Technological Benefits.

At the same time, CED has striven to mobilize textile industry players so they can benefit from the potential spin-offs of such a contract. “For example, we guided them through the qualification process for military supplies, the terms of the ITB policy and the steps to take to integrate into the supply chain,” adds Ms. Martel.

This support will help SMEs in this sector to develop their market, ensure their long-term growth, innovate and increase their export potential.

 

A major prime contractor

Logistik Unicorp provides integrated management programs for uniforms for various organizational and governmental clients both in Canada and abroad. In addition to its production and design facilities for uniforms in Quebec, Logistik Unicorp boosts innovation in this sector both locally and internationally through its network of branches and partners such as Mawashi, Australian Defence Apparel and Wintex Apparel.

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