Quebec Premier Pauline Marois joined business leaders January 31 to outline a financial structure enabling McInnis Cement to commence construction this spring of a plant and marine terminal with ultimate capacity toward 2.5 million tons per year.
The announcement was made in Port-Daniel-Gascons, located on a Gulf of St. Lawrence inlet on the province’s eastern reaches. It caps the completion of permitting, environmental review and financing window for a $1 billion greenfield operation. Project leader is Beaudier Inc., the investment arm of the Beaudoin family, a majority shareholder in two of the province’s preeminent corporate brands: Bombardier (business and commercial aircraft, and trains) and Bombardier Recreational Products (Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Can-Am).
“For more than two years, Beaudier has invested its time, energy and resources to ensure the McInnis Cement project goes ahead,” stated Beaudier Chairman Laurent Beaudoin. “A partnership with experienced private investors, a Quebec public pension fund and the Quebec government will allow it to go forward.”
Leading the equity side, Beaudier is teamed with the pension fund, La Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, through an equity stake of $100 million, which is matched by the investment arm of the Quebec government. “The McInnis Cement project is fully aligned with the international export activity that remains the driving force of Quebec economic growth,” noted the pension fund’s Michael Sabia, chief executive officer. “I am convinced that with the excellent management team recruited by Beaudier and U.S. market proximity, this project is a sound investment.” The financing is completed through a guaranteed loan structure of senior debt from a banking syndicate led by National Bank of Canada, plus junior debt in the form of a $250 million Quebec government loan at a 3 percent premium rate over the senior debt.
The Port-Daniel-Gascons site enables a load out operation to dispatch deep water cement vessels through the St. Lawrence Seaway or down the Atlantic Coast with two to four days’ “ship time” to eastern Great Lakes, New England and Mid-Atlantic terminals. “The location will make us highly competitive in the East Coast and Canadian markets,” affirmed McInnis Cement CEO Christian Gagnon, whose track record has spanned Lafarge Group mill expansions and greenfield projects from British Columbia to Greece.
McInnis Cement officials plan a two-year construction phase, initial deliveries projected by spring 2016. Along with preliminary site work this spring, they intend to announce major construction and equipment contracts by mid-year.
