Canadian Members of Parliament Martin Champoux and Eric Lefebvre recently visited AEM member companies CMI Mulching and GRYB International for facility tours. Alongside AEM Director of Government Affairs for Canada Alexandre-Mattard Michaud, the visits sparked engaging discussions about the strategic priorities of Canada’s off-road equipment manufacturing industry.
"Off-road equipment manufacturers in Canada create quality jobs, attract significant investment, and deliver the solutions our communities need. These companies are essential economic anchors. That's why AEM believes it's critical for elected officials to meet directly with our members and understand the importance of supporting Canada's equipment manufacturing industry through policies that advance free trade, infrastructure investment, and workforce development," said Alexandre Mattard-Michaud, Director of Government Affairs for Canada at AEM.
The visits reflect AEM's continued commitment to engaging policymakers and amplifying the importance of Canada's equipment manufacturing industry and the 151,000 jobs it supports across the country.
MP Martin Champoux Visits CMI
CMI and AEM hosted Martin Champoux, Member of Parliament for Drummond, for a tour of CMI’s Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover facility, which produces specialized forestry equipment.
Founded 33 years ago, CMI designs and manufactures crawling mulchers and stump grinders for Canadian and international markets, with a steady product pipeline catering to those which operate in northern forest environments. Employing over 50 highly skilled workers from the surrounding Drummond region, CMI's innovations in precision land clearing serve critical applications that include highway projects, utility corridor maintenance, and wildfire prevention.
During the visit, Charles-Alexandre Vennat, CEO of CMI, spoke with MP Champoux about issues critical to Quebec’s equipment manufacturing industry, including supply chain resilience, skilled workforce development, modern infrastructure investment, and commercial competitiveness.
"It was a pleasure to return to CMI to see firsthand the work being done in specialized forestry equipment manufacturing," said Martin Champoux, Member of Parliament for Drummond. "I was particularly impressed by the high standard of production, the expertise of the local workforce, and CMI's overall commitment to innovation. Like AEM, I remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, and growth for equipment manufacturers in the Drummond constituency.”
"Canada's equipment manufacturing industry supports 151,000 jobs and contributes $18 billion to the economy. Every dollar invested in our sector generates significant ripple effects across our supply chain, our partners, and dealer networks throughout the country," said Charles-Alexandre Vennat, CEO of CMI Mulching.
MP Eric Lefebvre Visits GRYB International
GRYB International and AEM hosted Eric Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Richmond-Arthabaska, for a tour of GRYB’s Victoriaville facility, which is a leading producer of specialized attachments and accessories for heavy equipment.
Founded in 2007, GRYB employs approximately 105 workers in and around the Victoriaville community who produce cutting-edge equipment innovations that power critical industries in Canada and internationally, such as construction, demolition, forestry, mining, snow removal, and material handling. GRYB’s diverse and durable product portfolio helps it maintain strong business relationships with leading North American manufacturers, which strengthens its strategic position in the sector.
MP Lefebvre was given demonstrations of recent product advancements from GRYB during his visit, including investments the company has made in lightweight manufacturing capabilities and optimized design techniques. Dany Perreault, General Manager at GRYB, discussed key priorities for the business with the MP during the tour, including supply chain resilience, skilled workforce development, modern infrastructure investment, and commercial tariff challenges.
“GRYB has experienced impressive growth since it was founded in Victoriaville in 2007, where it has since had opportunities to expand and thrive internationally while also creating good-paying jobs for skilled workers from the surrounding region. It's always a pleasure to visit dynamic and visionary entrepreneurs, and to see a facility that makes the entire region proud," said Eric Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Richmond-Arthabaska.
"We're ready to do our part. GRYB has significant potential for further growth. With the support of partners like AEM and our government representatives, we can accelerate our transformation through continuous improvement and innovation, solidifying our position as a North American leader," said Dany Perreault, General Manager at GRYB.
