The Quebec manufacturer of tactical armored vehicles Cambli is targeting Europe to ensure its growth. The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu company is analyzing its options in order to enter this market within an 18 to 24 month horizon.
“We are lifting all the rocks to penetrate Europe, starting with France which will be our gateway”, explains Véronique Tougas, president of Cambli.
Despite the free trade agreement between Canada and Europe, trade protectionism is still very present, notes Ms. Tougas. The export of tactical vehicles to the Old Continent seems very unlikely to him in the foreseeable future, but a partnership would allow the Montérégie company to circumvent this difficulty.
“Maybe with a competitor, maybe with a company that offers related products. We are in the analysis to break through France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany ”, analyzes the businesswoman who participated in the great fair on the safety and security of States, Milipol, which was held in Paris from October 19 to 22.
COURTESY PHOTO / Cambli
Veronique tougas
Until its foray into European soil, Cambli is preparing to resume production, scheduled for next spring. The order book is gradually filling up after the two years of forced break, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our customers haven’t bought for a long time,” points out Véronique Tougas. Our fear is that when things are going to pick up again, that things will pick up too quickly, beyond what we are able to provide. ”
Cambli must therefore increase its production capacity if it wants to take advantage of the recovery in the North American market and achieve its conquest of Europe. Here again, a few options are needed in Véronique Tougas’ strategy.
“This involves, among other things, robotization, recruitment and retention of staff, but also the possibility of having some of our low value-added components manufactured abroad,” explains the entrepreneur, whose immediate priority is remains to retain its 120 key employees until production resumes sometime in February.
A glance at the company:
Name: Cambli
Headquarters: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Year of foundation: early 1950s
Specialties: armored vehicles for valuable transport and tactical armored vehicles
Turnover: $ 25 to $ 30 million per year