1993: The Birth of a Cutting-Edge Company – The Story of Beaulac & Giguère Veneers
Every company has a story, a starting point that defines its character and path. For Beaulac & Giguère Veneers, this adventure began in 1993, at the heart of Quebec’s furniture industry expertise. It is the story of a bold takeover, driven by the vision of two wood enthusiasts.
The heritage and the Takeover: A strategic choice
The company traces its roots back to HODGEST PLY, a division of Daveluyville Furniture, a major player at the time. On February 8, 1993, this chapter closed, giving way to a new entity.
At that time, Daveluyville was the nerve center of wood processing in Quebec. Between the sawmills, furniture factories, and veneer plants, the region boasts a skilled workforce and unique expertise. For the founders, the location is strategic: it allows them to quickly serve the veneers splicing leaders located in Victoriaville or Nicolet, key markets for the young company. Moreover, Daveluyville is located halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, offering privileged access to the province’s two major metropolitan areas and therefore a major logistical advantage.
This new beginning is orchestrated by two men with different but perfectly complementary skills.
🎓 Pierre Beaulac: The Visionary of the Operation
With a solid academic background and hands-on experience, Pierre Beaulac is in charge of operations and administration.
- Advanced Training: A graduate of the Victoriaville School of Furniture, he improved his expertise at Raleigh University in North Carolina, specializing in Wood Science & Technology and Furniture Manufacturing & Management
- Expertise: From 1990 to 1993, he worked as a consultant in the wood processing industry (furniture, countertops, caskets, etc.) throughout the Maritime provinces. This technical background allowed him to refine his expertise before returning to Quebec for this new challenge
🌳 Gérald Giguère: The Expert Eye of Wood
Gérald Giguère is the man who “sees through trees”. A true specialist in purchasing logs, he guarantees the quality of the raw materials. He will play the crucial role of both buyer and seller.
- Rare expertise: His talent for recognizing quality right from the log is the cornerstone of his sourcing. His expertise in evaluating and acquiring raw lumber is essential, and he has developed a strong network of suppliers in Canada and the United States, guaranteeing access to the finest species
- Market control: As a former sales manager at General Wood & Veneers, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the market, including international standards, pricing, or the most stringent quality requirements
Technology at the Service of Quality
From its very beginnings, Placages Beaulac & Giguère has invested in cutting-edge technologies to meet the high demands of the market:
- Slicing: The acquisition of a Marunaka SL-350V slicer for longitudinal slicing of absolute precision and high quality
- Steam vats: Installation of steam vats for the rigorous preparation of raw materials
- Drying: The installation of an Omeco screen dryer guarantees optimal control of veneers moisture content
- Full range of equipment: The factory also has two guillotines, a clipper, and a press to finalize the grading of veneer sheets
In addition to its own production, the company also offers contract slicing services, also known as custom slicing, putting its expertise at the service of other industry players who wish to slice their own raw materials into veneers.
The initial focus was clear and precise: the production of thin veneers of Red Oak, Cherry, and Maple with a uniform thickness of 1/42″ (0.6 mm), primarily intended for panel manufacturers.
📈 Immediate Success and Rapid Growth
The market reacted instantly. The quality of the product, combined with the founders’ expertise, generated a very high volume of demand. In the 1990s, demand was colossal: by comparison, a full year’s worth of veneer production at Beaulac & Giguère Veneers could be manufactured in just one month by one of their panel manufacturing clients.
The times were also set for high-quality production. The multitude of small local sawmills ensured an easy supply of large lumber with few defects. With a versatile and highly skilled workforce, the founders quickly shifted into high gear.
To meet the surge in orders, the factory adapted its production capacity and adopted an intensive 24-hour production schedule. With teams of 10 employees per shift (day, evening and night), the company consolidated its leading position.
A Decisive Turning Point
In just three years, Beaulac & Giguère Veneers experienced a spectacular growth. However, 1996 was about to mark a major turning point. A bold decision would redefine the company’s mission, launch its international expansion, and pave the way for the next generation of family leaders…
Article 2/3 coming soon…
