Quebec’s textile industry embraces technology

Quebec’s textile industry is light years from where it was in the early 2000s. While part of the province’s output remains in traditional textiles, the industry is changing and adopting new technologies. To get there, it partnered with researchers to develop new client segments and fine-tune innovative products. It also made the bold move to focus on value-added technical textiles. Expect an uphill battle, however, primarily due to the labour shortage. The renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could mean the loss of benefits gained during the previous round of negotiations, and it threatens the advances made by Quebec businesses in the U.S. market. Quebec’s industry has a fresh face and is on the offensive. Staking its claim is a smart move.