Quebec’s Imperial Granite to Close

Dave Reeson, president of Regina, Saskachewan-based Remco Memorials Ltd., Imperial’s parent company, told the Canadian Broadcasting Company that the United States accounted for 70 percent of his company’s output. However, Pacific Rim competition and the Canadian dollar’s strength against U.S. currency took its toll on profits.

“Ever since the dollar has gained in strength —and in fact last year for a while it went to par and right now it’s trading at 93-94 cents — it doesn’t mean there’s enough profit in the sales to make Imperial viable,” he said.

Imperial employs 25 workers in the manufacture of granite headstones.