These Quebec companies that are successful internationally

Our primary mission at Signé Local is to make you aware of the importance of buying local and introduce you to local businesses that offer quality products. We like to inspire you with our discoveries, but also highlight the successes of our Quebec companies.

We love to see companies that we appreciate and that we have been following for a few years gaining momentum in Quebec and becoming better known. This feeling of pride is all the stronger when local companies succeed in carving out a place for themselves abroad. From the United States to Asia, the export challenge is not simple, even less in times of pandemic. Discover the inspiring journey of local companies that have achieved international success.

Arctica Food, Canadian products and seafood

Arctica Food fishes and transforms, in Gaspésie, a product unknown to most Quebecers: the sea cucumber. Consumed in Asia since the time of the Chinese emperors, the sea cucumber was, until very recently, a mollusk thrown away when caught. by accident in Quebec. Yet it is nutrient-dense, low in calories and fat, and high in protein.

Philippe Wang and his daughter Lory want to make this seafood product known in Canada. In the meantime, their sea cucumbers, capelin and supplements are sold in China through distributors and through their sales office in northeast China, Liaoning.

Arctica Food Canada harvests and exports 50 tonnes of sea cucumbers to Asia annually. This new activity has revived the operations of the fish processing plant in the village of Cloridorme, which had stagnated for several years.

Maxime Poisson, cabinetmaker

A cabinetmaker for nearly 20 years, Maxime Poisson is a designer-maker. He designs and manufactures furniture, rocking chairs, kitchen tables and other wooden objects. Its influences are diverse, but are generally part of utilitarianism.

His pieces can be found in France, Switzerland, the United States and even in the French West Indies! It is mainly through his website and his social media that Maxime is known abroad. Furniture by Maxime Poisson is appreciated, in Quebec and internationally, for its originality and high quality.

Volprivé, travel accessories

Founded by Marie-Claude Rouiller in 2017, Volprivé offers high-end travel accessories. Made from extra-fine merino wool, the accessories are incredibly soft and offer unparalleled comfort.

The company has been recording sales to corporate accounts in the United States since 2018, less than a year after its launch. Volprivé has also seen its sales increase considerably in the rest of Canada since the start of the pandemic. “I have been selling a lot online since the lockdown, and even more in the rest of Canada. There is definitely a craze for local production “Fait au Québec” and “Fait au Canada.” Although the craze for buying local has contributed to this increase, Marie-Claude mentions that the marketing of her Class 1 Pure 2.0 respiratory protection mask has a lot to do with it.

The challenges of selling abroad

Selling abroad has its share of challenges, regardless of the nature of the product being sold. For Maxime Poisson, as the parts to be transported are voluminous, "logistics and transport are complicated and require the involvement of an international freight forwarder in order to transport them from point A to point B without any problem". On the side of Arctica Food, the most difficult aspect is undoubtedly to make the product known. “There are too many choices and products on the market, so you have to find ways to stand out,” says Lory. "Although the mention 'Made in Canada' is indicated on the products, the most difficult thing is to differentiate between 'Made in the United States' and 'Made in France', since in the eyes of Chinese consumers, these are all imported products”. In addition to these elements, high delivery costs, barriers to entry, customs fees and fluctuating exchange rates also bring their share of headaches.

And the pandemic in all this…

To the already existing export difficulties was added, last spring, the tightening of borders. The availability of transport has been drastically reduced and its cost increased.

For Arctica Food, the customs clearance of their products in China has become very complicated since the start of the pandemic, coupled with growing political instability. “The Chinese market is already hard to work with in normal times, so it's even less obvious these days. Especially since their products fall into a niche, a spending item that is often cut during recessions. To deal with the situation, the Arctica Food team quickly adjusted and now offers gift packs with a greater price variation to satisfy more budget-conscious customers.

Despite the pandemic, the company will take part in the CIIE Shanghai, the biggest exhibition for imported products in China, this month.

As for Volprivé, Marie-Claude is already seeing greater curiosity and openness on the part of consumers. “People are much more concerned about seeing where the products they consume come from and the pandemic is helping e-commerce for the ease of shopping without leaving home. On the other hand, the entrepreneur remains aware that she will have to rethink her product offer if the reduction in travel continues for a long time.

Our entrepreneurs here, like all of us, have been living in uncertainty for several months now. Still, no company we spoke to gave up in the face of the unknown. On the contrary, their creativity and adaptability is inspiring!

Reviewed by MF Editorial