Atis Group

Atis Group, a group of window and door manufacturers whose products were sold under various brands including Laflamme, Vinylbilt, Solarcan, Vimat, Supervision, Melco, Allsco, and Altek, filed for protection under the CCAA on February 19. As of December 31, 2020, Atis Group operated seven manufacturing plants, had 26 stores located across Canada, and generated revenues of over $115.0 million. Between the time of its creation in 2004 and 2017, Atis Group achieved growth through more than 20 acquisitions. However, certain past acquisitions had resulted in a significant decrease in revenues. In particular, two of these companies — Solarcan Architectural and Allied Doors and Windows — were ultimately shut down, while another company was sold at a very low price. In 2018, costs began to increase significantly due to higher prices of glass and an increase in the rejection rate caused by aging manufacturing equipment. Moreover, the Ontario plant, which used to be very profitable, suffered a rapid decrease in sales starting in 2019 when several major clients were lost to a new competitor. Finally, once sites reopened after quarantine measures were lifted, Atis Group was unable to hire foreign workers as it had historically done. As a result of these factors, Atis Group suffered a loss of more than $24.0 million as of 2020. Without a capital injection, Atis Group currently does not have sufficient resources or the ability to generate sufficient funds to pay its suppliers and creditors. During these CCAA proceedings, Scotiabank — Atis Group's current first-ranking secured lender — will be providing up to $6.3 million in interim financing. Raymond Chabot was appointed monitor. Richter is advisor to Scotiabank. Counsel is Fasken for the monitor, McCarthy Tétrault for the debtors, BLG for Scotiabank and Gowling WLG for Investissement Quebec.