A project was already in the making when, on May 13th, 2004, Whirlpool Canada Inc. was closing it's Montmagny plant, leaving more than 600 people without work. The stubbornness of Yannick Patelli, the local newspaper editor who initiated the project of creating a local newspaper printing service, payed off and, today, Les Presses du Fleuve operates in a part of the building where Whirlpool once was.
Many regional partners became involved in this stimulating project which created a certain revitalization of the region. Included in this partnership were the CLD, numerous other developmental organizations and many professionals in the financial and judicial fields.
Many employees formerly working for Whirlpool now have a job at Les Presses du Fleuve and are also shareholders, in the form of a Worker/Shareholder Co-operative. On day 1, more than 30 jobs were created. After 3 years of business, we now count 45 employees.