1996–2008 : Expansion and Succession – From Exporting to the creation of Beaulac & Fils
In our previous article, we saw how Beaulac & Giguère Veneers got off to a strong start, transitioning to 24/7 slicing thanks to the high demand for its thin veneers (1/42″). This initial success was just the prelude to an even more audacious transformation.
1996 : A Strategic Shift
The year 1996 marked a major turning point for the company. After several years of shared success, Gérald chose to sell his shares to pursue new challenges. This was a mutual decision, and the two parted on excellent terms. Pierre Beaulac, co-founder and operations expert, then bought out his partner’s shares. He thus became the sole owner of Beaulac & Giguère Veneers, ready to implement his own vision for expansion.
Pierre’s first strategic decision was to pivot the factory’s focus toward thicker veneers, specifically 1/16″. This shift targeted a highly promising niche: components for the door industry. The new specialization quickly gained traction, capturing the attention of major players in the market.
To meet the rapidly growing demand for 1/16″ veneers, the company made significant investments, acquiring a Marunaka NA-3 slicer and a Roller Dryer (also from Marunaka), both specialized for thicker veneers.
The world for market
With this new expertise, the company expanded its horizons. Exports were no longer limited to its immediate neighbors but now extended worldwide: the Middle East, South America, Europe, Indonesia, Korea, and more.
To support this growth, the range of wood species processed was also expanded. While hardwoods remain the dominant players in the market (White Oak, Red Oak, Walnut, Maple, Birch, Alder, and Cherry), Pine experienced explosive growth among softwoods, driven primarily by the steady development of the door and component industry.
1999: A New Opportunity and the Birth of Beaulac & Sons
After several years of intense growth, a major business opportunity arose in 1999. The entire Beaulac & Giguère Veneers business —including the building and all equipment— was sold to Vexco, a major raw material supplier.
Far from stepping back, Pierre Beaulac saw this transaction as the perfect opportunity to make a fresh start and involve the next generation. He acquired a new building, still in Daveluyville (at the company’s current address), and founded Beaulac & Fils, welcoming his three sons into the business.
To propel this new entity forward, major investments were made in equipment:
- The purchase of a Marunaka SL-250V slicer, capable of slicing thicknesses ranging from 1/42″ to 1/16″.
- In 2000, the acquisition of a new FEZER FM-30 slicer, expanding production capability from 1/42″ to 1/8″.
- The installation of high-performance dryers, specifically an Omeco roller dryer and a Shilde dryer.
The cut-to-size department (commonly referred to as CTS) also experienced significant expansion with the addition of a new saw, a guillotine, and a trimmer/end cutter.
The team successfully developed the splicing of thick veneers, meeting the specific needs of door manufacturers. At the time, production did not focus on large 4×8′ panels, but rather on smaller formats.
In parallel, the company developed the 1/8″ market to supply the booming engineered flooring industry.
To support this technological expansion and meet the growing business volume, the original facility quickly became too small. Thus, in 2002-2003, the company expanded the building, adding over 20,000 square feet of space to optimize production and storage areas.
La Relève Familiale
Working with family presents a rewarding daily challenge. For Pierre Beaulac, this collaboration with his sons has proven to be a unique personal experience – a stimulating journey that allowed them to understand each other better and discover each other’s strengths and capabilities.
Everyone finds their place within the company structure:
| Key Roles | Description of Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Nicolas (the eldest) | Director of Operations: He rigorously ensures operational continuity and on-site management |
| Dominique (the middle son) | Project and Equipment Maintenance Manager: Responsible for overseeing projects and maintaining machinery |
| Gabriel (the youngest) | Though still a student at the time, he was actively involved on the shop floor, supporting daily operations and maintenance during his free time. |
The company maintains the same core business and main wood species but focuses its export efforts primarily toward Europe, Indonesia, and Brazil, ensuring stable growth.
This synergy between family and technical expertise propelled the company to new heights: in 2005, the company reached its highest historical production level. Operating at full capacity with three shifts, the factory then employed up to 100 people. On the administrative side, Pierre has built a strong team to support him in human resources, sales & purchasing, and accounting.
2008 : A sudden Halt
This period of exceptional growth unfortunately collided head-on with the 2008 US recession. Global economic instability and sharp dollar fluctuations made times particularly challenging. Like the majority of manufacturing industries, the company then had to go through a four-year period of consolidation and stagnation, testing both its resilience and solidarity.
In the next article:
Following this turbulent period, the year 2013 will mark the transition to a third era: a major corporate reorganization and the arrival of a new vision driven by the second generation. Get ready to discover the transformation of the company into Beaulac Veneers Inc.
Article 3/3 coming soon...
