Quebec plastics processors vote to create independent trade association (April 14, 2008)

A group of more than 50 Quebec plastics professionals have unanimously voted to create a new Quebec trade association, to be called the Federation of Plastics and Composites Alliance (FEPAC).

The decision was made at a meeting held in Drummondville, Que., on April 9.

The move comes after the Quebec executive committee of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) resigned from that organization in January, prompted by the CPIA’s refusal to rehire Pierre Fillon as executive director in Quebec. Fillon had been terminated from his position in December, 2007.

According to reports, the short-term objectives of the provisional FEPAC board members are to create a Quebec Charter, and to raise $80,000 in membership fees in the first year. The group hopes to raise approximately $247,500 in the second year, and have a membership representing 75 per cent of the Quebec plastic industry.

The official launching of the new trade association is scheduled to take place in June 2008, with the first general assembly to be held in November.

In an interview with Canadian Plastics, CPIA president and CEO Serge Lavoie highlighted the differences between his organization and FEPAC, and also expressed a willingness to cooperate with the new group. “Whereas ours is a value-chain organization, FEPAC is a processor-based association with partners, which offers a different kind of value,” he said. “The CPIA remains wide open to working or partnering with any organization that might set up in Quebec; at the end of the day, the important thing is to collectively work on the important issues facing plastics manufacturing.”