[Press Release]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2026
Montreal, March 13, 2026 – Faced with challenges related to competitiveness and labor shortages, digital transformation has emerged as an essential driver for Quebec’s manufacturing companies. Today, Prompt unveils the exceptional results of its manufacturing productivity program (formerly SIPEM), demonstrating a direct and massive impact on the province’s economic growth. With an initial investment of $10 million over three years, the program generated a dramatic increase in revenue for participating companies, reaching over $260 million—a return on investment 26 times the initial investment.
A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth
Supported by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy as part of the Digital Transformation Initiative, this program has engaged more than 5,000 businesses across Quebec. Of these, 178 received personalized support to overcome their technological challenges. The program stands out for its two-pronged approach: the development of technological specifications by a network of 75 qualified independent experts, and the funding of customized innovation projects.
The compiled results illustrate the effectiveness of this approach. Supported companies recorded a 24% increase in their EBITDA ($154 million) and a 12% rise in productivity. Furthermore, the integration of technological solutions, including artificial intelligence in more than half of the projects (18 out of 31), has reduced production defects by 15% and lowered the environmental footprint by 4%.
“We are extremely proud to see Quebec companies innovating and overcoming their technological challenges thanks to our support. These results demonstrate that innovation is a powerful driver for generating remarkable economic growth and ensuring the sustainability of our manufacturing industry.” Dominique St-Louis, Interim Executive Director of Prompt.
Significant human and societal benefits
Beyond the financial gains, the program has had a positive impact on the human capital of manufacturing companies. Against a backdrop of labour shortages, the supported projects contributed to the creation of 418 jobs, while reducing job vacancies by 12%. The total payroll increased by 5%, accompanied by a 7% rise in average wages, thereby making the manufacturing sector more attractive to skilled talent.
“To ensure Quebec’s economic growth, we must focus on increasing our productivity. The success of this program confirms that by supporting the digital transformation of our manufacturing companies, we are making a winning choice to strengthen our international competitiveness. ” Jean Boulet, Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy; Minister of Labor; Minister responsible for the Maritime Strategy; and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region
Tailored support for concrete results
The program’s strength lies in its ability to address the specific needs of each company. Whether it involves system interoperability, data collection and utilization, or the enhancement of existing features, Prompt’s experts ensure that technology investments are sound and cost-effective. With 77 specifications completed and 31 innovation projects approved, the program has proven that the right support can resolve technological bottlenecks and accelerate the digital transformation.
As several projects will continue into 2026, with future investments estimated at over $19 million, Prompt reaffirms its commitment to being the catalyst for the technological success of Quebec SMEs.
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For more information:
Émilie Delvoye
Director of Communications
Prompt
edelvoye@promptinnov.com
