Effenco Development Inc.

Effenco Development Inc., a Montréal, Québec-based autotech company, filed an assignment in bankruptcy on April 6, listing assets of approximately $6.6 million and liabilities of approximately $17.5 million, including approximately $3.3 million to Banque de développement du Canada (Québec), approximately $2.4 million to Investissement Québec and approximately $1.1 million to BMO Financial Group. The company's key technology is an electric hybrid Active Stop-Start system that improves energy efficiency on heavy trucks as well as reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. The company's management attributes its financial difficulties to significant development costs, operational difficulties and insufficient sales, which led to a liquidity problem. Ultimately, management was unable to secure the necessary funding to continue the company's operations. MNP is the bankruptcy trustee.