AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster Now Shortlisted
Montreal, October 10, 2017 – The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, announced today that nine applicants have been shortlisted in the second phase of the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. Among them, the AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster, co-chaired by Louis Roy, President of OPTEL GROUP and by Hélène Desmarais, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre d’Entreprises et d’Innovation de Montréal (CEIM) and Chairperson of Board of HEC Montréal, was selected for the final phase of the initiative.
“Integrating artificial intelligence into supply chain management will enable Canadian companies to increase their competitive advantage. The implementation of intelligent, ethical and responsible supply chains will help create numerous quality jobs while ensuring sustainable growth for our businesses,” states Louis Roy.
“We are very pleased that our project was selected for the final stage as supply chains have a direct impact on Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. This project mobilizes the business community as it will foster collaboration between companies of all sizes and connects them with academic and research institutions to take innovation further, faster,” adds Hélène Desmarais.
The consortium on intelligent supply chains is a markedly industrial initiative which will impact all economic sectors and prominently the retail & consumer goods, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. To date, over 60 Canadian companies have committed to investing $420 million in collaborative innovation projects. The Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) and the University of Waterloo, as well as other world-renowned Canadian universities, will assist the consortium with their research capabilities in artificial intelligence and related digital technologies.
“The University of Waterloo is honored to be working with industry partners and IVADO on this important project to rapidly advance connectivity and intelligence for our supply chains. The initiative is based in Montreal and focused mainly in Quebec and Ontario, yet it is an inclusive project that will have a positive impact on the entire country and will be highly beneficial to the Canadian economy,” added Pearl Sullivan, Dean of Engineering, University of Waterloo.
The industrial consortia that qualify will access an overall $950 million funding as part of the Federal government’s flagship Supercluster initiative. Complete applications must be submitted by the preselected consortia before November 24, and the government intends to announce up to five finalists in early 2018.
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Contacts for Interview Requests:
For Hélène Desmarais
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CEIM Chairperson of Board, HEC Montréal
Co-Chair, AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster
Érica Boisvert
Director of Communications and Public Affairs, OPTEL
Cell.: 418 456-2704
erica.boisvert@optelgroup.com
For Louis Roy
President, OPTEL GROUP
Co-Chair, AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster
Érica Boisvert
Director of Communications and Public Affairs, OPTEL
Cell.: 418 456-2704
erica.boisvert@optelgroup.com
For Pearl Sullivan
Dean of Engineering
University Waterloo
Beth Cotter
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
Faculty of Engineering
University of Waterloo
Tel.: 519 888-4567 x37778
Cell.: 226 220-5405
bcotter@uwaterloo.ca
Alain Dudoit
Executive Director,
AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster
Cell.: 514 582-7454
alain.dudoit@armdintl.com
