The supplier improvement program,
named Podium, is one of STIQ’s most ben-
eficial services, designed to help suppliers
develop their core competencies. Each
program walks through several steps that
include an evaluation, development of an
action plan and implementation of projects
aimed at making improvements alongside
expert consultants. Later, STIQ will follow
up with the company to determine if the
original objectives were met. To date, STIQ
has been involved in more than 250 com-
pany evaluations since the service was in-
troduced in 2002, Blanchet said. And since
2009, Podium has helped create more than
650 skilled jobs in Quebec.
The association’s services are particu-
larly helpful for companies that may be
too busy to keep up with industry news,
or not large enough to dedicate a person
to the task. Whether it’s the opening of a
new plant or the acquisition of a contract,
STIQ tracks the latest happenings impact-
ing the manufacturing industry and shares
them through the association’s newsletter.
A lot of time is also spent doing onsite vis-
its with companies throughout the prov-
NOVEMBER 2015
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