Centre de Production Automatisée

What Centre de Production Automatisée does

Centre de Production Automatisée, now operating under the brand name Efica following a 2026 rebranding, is a Centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) founded in 1984 and institutionally embedded within Cégep de Jonquière in Saguenay, Québec. The organization provides three integrated lines of service: industrial automation training (covering Allen Bradley and Schneider Electric PLCs, drives, robotics, HMI/SCADA, safety systems, and Quebec electrical code), technical assistance and consulting for automation and energy projects, and applied R&D including feasibility studies, prototype development, and software for control and production management. Centre TERRE, a subsidiary focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency, was integrated in 2018 and is backed by a $17M laboratory investment from MEIE, Cégep de Jonquière, Desjardins, Rio Tinto, and Ville de Saguenay, with the new net-zero / LEED Gold facility targeted for 2026.

Efica serves small, medium, and large industrial enterprises across Quebec — primarily in manufacturing, automation, healthcare/workplace safety, and energy — as well as municipalities, organizations, and provincial ministries. Revenue is generated through professional services (technical assistance, R&D collaboration, technical training), government subsidies from MES, MEIE, and CRSNG (which fund the CCTT and CAT mandates), and a small but growing self-serve e-learning stream for the Quebec Licence C electricity certification ($80 CAD, 6-month access on Moodle). Distribution is direct: on-site technical assistance, training at Efica's facilities or client sites, and digital delivery through the Synchronex network's referral infrastructure. The organization employs approximately 25 staff and is positioned as a subsidized, mission-driven technology transfer center rather than a commercial SaaS or product company, with CCTT status providing structural access to public financing unavailable to private competitors.

Name

Centre de Production Automatisée

Legal name

Centre de Production Automatisée

Website

https://solutioncpa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre de Production Automatisée (Efica) is a Quebec CCTT technology transfer center that delivers industrial automation training, technical assistance, and applied R&D to SMEs, large enterprises, municipalities, and provincial ministries across Quebec, with a renewable energy subsidiary (Centre TERRE) backed by a $17M laboratory investment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Training and Technical Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Computer Training (611420), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

PLC, HMI & SCADA Automation (EDAOAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Controls, PLC & Industrial Automation (EDAOABAE), Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Corporate & Workforce eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Industrial automation training
• Applied research services
• Renewable energy research
• PLC programming training
• Technical assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Jonquière, Québec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Technical Training Services: Industrial training programs covering PLCs, drives, robotics, HMI/SCADA, networks, electrical code, and safety. Training is delivered in-person at their facilities or on-site at client locations, with some online components.
2. Technical Assistance and Consulting: Direct technical support services including system design, installation, commissioning, and operational support for industrial automation and energy optimization projects.
3. Applied Research and Development: R&D services including feasibility studies, prototype development, software development for control and production management, new product development, automated system startup, and workforce impact studies. Results may include technology and knowledge transfer.
4. Government Subsidies: As a CCTT recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education (MES) and Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), Efica receives government funding. Centre TERRE, as a Centre d'Accès Technologique (CAT), receives funding from CRSNG (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada).
5. Energy Efficiency Analysis: Studies evaluating how current energy systems can be improved through renewable energy integration, assessing feasibility, sustainability, and environmental impact.
6. Online Certification Training: Electricity certification (Licence C) e-learning platform with 13 modules. Module 1 free, full course for $80, valid for 6 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centre de Production Automatisée (Efica) is a college technology transfer center (CCTT) that delivers industrial automation training programs, technical assistance, applied research and development, and personnel qualification services to industrial enterprises. Its portfolio spans specialized courses on PLCs, drives, HMI/SCADA, robotics, and industrial networks from vendors such as Allen Bradley (Rockwell) and Schneider Electric, alongside renewable energy research via its Centre TERRE subsidiary. The organization primarily serves small, medium, and large industrial companies in Quebec, with international reach through collaboration.

Product overview

Efica (formerly Centre de Production Automatisée/CPA) is a college technology transfer center (CCTT) offering a portfolio of industrial training programs and professional services. The core offerings include specialized training courses on industrial automation equipment (Allen Bradley, Schneider Electric PLCs, drives, HMI systems), technical assistance for automation projects, digital audits, energy efficiency analysis, and applied R&D. Centre TERRE provides specialized research in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The portfolio is organized around industrial expertise areas including automation, renewable energy, Industry 4.0, instrumentation and control, and energy performance. Training courses range from equipment-specific maintenance training (ControlLogix, M340, PowerFlex, E300 relays) to broader topics (robotics, industrial networks, security circuits, reliability engineering), while professional services include technical aid, personnel qualification, and collaborative R&D projects with industry partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre TERRE: Technologie des énergies renouvelables et rendement énergétique - A technology access centre focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency, affiliated with Efica since 2018

Products and services

• Industrial Automation Training Comprehensive training programs for industrial automation, including PLC programming, HMI configuration, drive systems, and safety controllers from major manufacturers like Allen Bradley and Schneider Electric. Targeted at industrial technicians and engineers.
• PlantPAx DCS Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced training costs through competence evaluation services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Centre TERREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Centre TERRE (Technologie des énergies renouvelables et rendement énergétique), created in 2012 as an NSERC industrial research chair, evolved to a CAT in 2019. Affiliated with Efica since 2018, adding expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency. $17M laboratory funded by MEIE, Cégep de Jonquière, Desjardins, Rio Tinto, and Ville de Saguenay.
• Cégep de JonquièrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984Institutional founding partner providing Efica access to physical techniques facilities, researchers, students, and specialized resources across nine disciplines. Efica is located within the Paul-Arthur Fortin pavilion of the college.
• Réseau SynchronexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 59 technology transfer centres and over 1500 experts across Quebec. Efica leverages Synchronex membership for referrals, shared resources, and access to a directory of financial aids for clients working with CCTT members.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT): Major Canadian technical and trade school with applied research arms. Comparable to Efica's technical training and applied R&D mix, though BCIT operates across many disciplines and at much larger scale.
• Rockwell Automation Services: Global industrial automation OEM whose platforms (ControlLogix, FactoryTalk, PlantPAx) form the backbone of Efica's training catalog. Comparable as a training/services peer for end customers, though much larger and vertically integrated.
• National Research Council Canada (NRC): Canada's premier federal applied research organization. Comparable to Efica's R&D and technology-transfer mandate, though at vastly greater scale and broader mandate.

Direct peers

• Amatrol: U.S.-based provider of industrial automation, mechatronics, and skilled-trades training systems and e-learning. Comparable to Efica's hands-on industrial training and certification preparation programs for technicians and operators.
• Festo Didactic: Global leader in industrial automation and mechatronics training equipment and curricula. Directly comparable to Efica's PLC, robotics, and Industry 4.0 training portfolio, although Festo Didactic operates at much larger international scale.
• Cégep de Sherbrooke – Centre de technologies et d'études industrielles (CTEI): Quebec CCTT focused on industrial technologies and applied R&D. Most directly comparable as a sister CCTT in the Synchronex network, sharing the same CCTT funding model and industrial-services mandate.
• FPInnovations: Canadian not-for-profit applied research and technology transfer centre. Comparable to Efica's CCTT role in delivering industry-focused applied R&D, technical assistance, and training under a public funding model.

Regional players

• Alberta Innovates: Provincial innovation agency funding applied research and technology adoption in Alberta. Comparable structural analog to Efica's MEIE/CRSNG funding flows, though operating at provincial scale across many sectors.
• Real Time Automation: North American industrial automation training and services firm focused on Allen Bradley and related platforms. Comparable to Efica's vendor-aligned training catalog and field-services approach, though operating in the U.S.
• PRIMA Québec: Quebec advanced materials research and innovation cluster. Comparable as a Quebec innovation ecosystem player supporting industrial R&D and technology transfer, though focused on materials rather than automation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/solutioncpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/solutioncpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-de-production-automatis%C3%A9e

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre de Production Automatisée