Germany Chancellor plans lithium deal with Serbia after Rio ruling
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Saguenay, November 15, 2012, L’Équipe Fabconcept, having begun mass production, is now in the marketing phase for their amphibious all-terrain vehicle: The KASKOO-X04.
The KASKOO-X04, completely designed in Saguenay, has required over ten years of development, trials, prototypes and adjustments. The prototype as well as the production model have been tested over a variety of difficult, if not impracticable, conditions and environments, in collaboration with IOS Service Géoscientifique Inc, one of the largest mineral exploration geological firms in Québec and owner of the first production model.
The president-general manager of IOS Service Géoscientifique Inc, Mr. Réjean Girard, stated that the KASKOO-X04 can replace, in certain situations, the costly implication of helicopters used for the multitude of tasks related to their mineral exploration activities.
Mr. Girard explains that this invention will be extremely practical during winter, when the access roads are closed. “There are also the vast marshy regions in Northern Abitibi and Baie-James, as well as forest roads where erosion over time has made them often inaccessible to standard vehicles. The machine is used for interventions covering a radius of over 20 kilometers surrounding the mining and forestry camps. This incredible all-terrain vehicle has proven its capabilities, it’s undeniable,” summarized Mr. Girard.
The product’s superior technology is integrated on all levels: speed: it reaches up to 40km/h, suspension, passenger compartment, ease of driving, floatability, etc. In fact, it is the best all-terrain vehicle on the market today.
The product is aimed at businesses working in remote locations; whether being in mining, oil and forestry exploration, delivering hydro-electric power, rescue efforts and fighting fires. A global market estimated at several hundred units will allow the company to grow significantly.
The KaskooX04 is entirely manufactured and assembled in the Saguenay plant. Only the tracks (Soucy International), the engine (Peugeot) and certain hydraulic elements come from external suppliers. For the time being, L’Équipe Fabconcept will create and consolidate at least 20 jobs.
“A floating vehicle that is lighter and faster at the same time, and that can also explore swamps, I don’t know of another in the world that exists,” concluded Mr. Marius Allaire, president of L’Équipe Fabconcept.
“As president, I would like to thank and congratulate the employees who have achieved this major project by more than an exceptional way and especially for a small team. Furthermore, I thank our partners such as Centre Québécois de Recherches et de Développement de l’Aluminium (CQRDA), Développement Économique Canada (DEC), Aboriginal Business Canada, Ministère du Développement Économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation (MDEIE), Emploi-Québec, Rio Tinto Alcan, UQAC’s Consorem and an extraordinary collaboration with IOS Service Géoscientifique Inc, without whom this project would never have existed,” added Mr. Allaire.
Established in 1993, L’Équipe Fabconcept develops specialized industrial equipment. Since it was established, the business has completed over 1,200 development projects and the manufacturing of industrial equipment. L’Équipe Fabconcept currently has 15 employees; amongst which are designers, engineers, technicians, draftsmen, electricians, welder-fitters and machinist programmers. Innovation is the company’s engine; the KASKOO-X04 is the perfect example.
