Wood processing in the MRC du Granit territory – iCRIQ, 2009[1]
| 2,191 jobs and 47 companies | |
|---|---|
| Primary manufacturing | Secondary and Tertiary manufacturing |
| Number of jobs: 1,213 | Number of jobs: 978 |
| Number of companies: 20 | Number of companies: 27 |
[1] Source for this section: “Portrait de l’industrie forestière de l’Estrie”, Commission régionale sur les ressources naturelles et le territoire, CRÉ Estrie, Novembre 2009, http://www.creestrie.qc.ca/pdf/crrnt/Industrie_forestiere%20.pdf
The forestry industry has been at the heart of the Estrie’s economic activity, from its very beginnings and throughout its history. After flour mills, Estrie residents quickly built saw mills. With up to 76% of the area covered by forests, of which 91% are privately owned and composed of 66% hardwood, it is not surprising that this industry has played a major role in the economic development and prosperity of the region. The Estrie region is covered by f7,880 km2 of forest, and the MRC du Granit has the largest share of forest area in the Estrie region. Thus, our region has become a leader in appearance wood products and composites.
Several factors have contributed to the growth of this industry: the climate, the amount of rain, the soil’s (substrate) texture and properties, a network of roads developed for transportation and the proximity of processing plants and markets. But more importantly, what makes this industry stand out and ensures its success is the local forestry knowledge and savoir-faire.
The forestry infrastructure (primary manufacturing), made up of hardwood and timber sawmills, a major plant producing laminated and plywood veneers, the largest particle board production facility in North America and a large paper mill that is supplied in hardwood, has generated an increased in production of 260% between 1990 and 2000. In summary, the Estrie wood sector is:
- a diverse industry that optimizes forest resources and transforms its waste products, thanks to paper mills, board manufacturing facilities and wood granule plants
- a leader in the transformation of hardwoods in Quebec
- the first region in terms of consuming Quebec’s hardwoods
The secondary and tertiary manufacturing industry is more recent, diversified and active in the fields of engineered wood and composites (kitchen cabinets, furniture, doors and windows, components) and prefabricated structures (modular houses, panels, roof trusses, and engineered buildings). The U.S. market helped to favor the emergence of several companies that have developed niche products that are found in manyother markets around the world.
Primary Transformation
Estrie is the only region in Quebec to have manufacturing facilities in all primary transformation sectors: sawmills, shingles, paneling/veneer, particle board and fiberboard, wholesaler-distributors, and other recyclable materials. The total production of primary transformation companies throughout the Estrie region reached median sales of 288.1 million Canadian dollars in 2007.
Primary transformation generates 2,086 direct jobs in Estrie within 50 companies that are distributed according to the concentration of companies in the different MRCs of the territory (Figure 1). The MRC du Granit dominates with its 20 companies generating 1,213 direct jobs.
In the MRC du Granit, we find all types of primary transformation manufacturing facilities with a predominance of particle board and fiberboard facilities, followed by sawmills (except shingle and shake mills), veneer mills and hardwood plywood. In effect, these factories achieve more than 96% of the median sales in the region. According to the same total production expressed in total median sales and the number of companies by MRC (Table 18), the MRC du Granit stands out due to median sales of 196.3 million Canadian dollars and 20 lumber companies.
Supply and industrial structure of the primary transformation sector
In 2008, the total actual consumption of hard and soft woods in the Estrie’s primary processing industry by source (m3) is as follows:
- 41% originated from Quebec plants
- 34% originated from outside Quebec
- 19% originated from private forests
- 6% originated from public forests
Surprisingly, given the size of forests lands within the region, the supply of raw material for hardwood and softwood sawmills originates mostly from outside Quebec, 78% for hardwood and 65% for softwood. In fact, this shows that manufacturers take advantage of all possible supply sources to best meet production needs, not limiting themselves to their immediate area, to ensure the success of their business.
Hardwood and softwood sawmills in our region also benefit from several potential markets for their by-products (chips, shavings and sawmills). With the increasing demand during recent years, by-products account for nearly 30% of sales.
Plants in the region generally have a smaller capacity than those in the rest of Quebec, which actually gives them an advantage over larger companies: more flexibility, evenly dispersed jobs throughout the region (less concentration in a single plant), less of a barrier to innovation in SMEs and a faster market response time. Our industry’s business model is based on several smaller plants along the U.S. border with access to better quality species from outside of Quebec, that mature faster (larger dimension), and are strategically positioned close to our largest trading partner, the United States. This also contributes to lower transportation costs compared with other regions of Quebec.
Secondary and Tertiary Transformation
The secondary and tertiary transformation sectors generate 4,521 direct jobs in the Estrie region. We find the highest number of direct jobs in Sherbrooke with 1,122 jobs generated by 42 companies. The MRC du Granit ranks second amongst other MRCs in the Estrie region (see Figure 2), with 978 direct jobs generated by 27 companies.
The largest employers of the MRC du Granit are:
- Tafisa Canada
- Bestar inc.
- La Corporation Internationale Masonite, Division Industries Manufacturières Mégantic
- Masonite International
- Portes Lambton
- Maisons Usinex
- Panolite
This list shows just how important the secondary and tertiary wood processing and the wood products industry (Tafisa) are important in terms of jobs in the Mégantic region. Elsewhere in Quebec, job creation for this sector is mostly dominated by the primary processing plants (sawmills and pulp and paper).
The Bio-economics: New opportunities that build on a rich legacy – wood
Top prefabricated home manufacturer
Maison Usinex was founded by the six Morin brothers, who wanted to apply their experience in construction to the building of prefabricated homes with a focus on three key traits: innovation, quality, and performance.
The company was recently named “top prefabricated home manufacturer” for the 11th year.
Maison Usinex’s factory, in which 20 Morin family members closely work together, has been located in Milan, near Mont-Mégantic, for 20 years.
The quality of its prefabricated homes, and its attentive customer service have been instrumental in the company’s growth. Maison Usinex has sales offices in Milan (Eastern Townships), Saguenay, Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs (Laurentians), Mont-Tremblant, Saint-Georges-de-Beauce, and Chibougamau.
Facilitate the planning of your home
Maison Usinex is committed to providing a purchasing experience that is based on respect for the client in a pressure-free, friendly atmosphere. All of the elements essential to the design and construction of a home have been thoroughly studied and are produced according to the highest standards. The purchase of a home is a major step, and the process is often fraught with stress and unforeseen circumstances. Maison Usinex is committed to ensuring that you have a pleasant experience, and that you play a pivotal role in turning your dream into reality.
Our professional consultants make a point of keeping you well-informed throughout the construction of your home and accompanying you through each stage of the process. Personalizing your plan is one of the factors that will enable you to acquire the house of your dreams.
Source : La Maison Usinex
Wood is a material that offers several other opportunities for entrepreneurs:
- Nanotechnology (cellulosic microfibrils)
- Bio-energy
- Bio-plastics
- Textile (cellulosic fibre, rayon pulp, etc.)
- New resins
- Enzymes
- Bio-pharmaceutics
- New construction and structural materials
- Etc.
A unique concentration in Canada
Within a radius of 100 km of the urban center of Lac-Mégantic, we find a critical mass of 250 wood sector companies. A concentration unique for this sector in Canada (floors, doors, kitchen cabinets, structures, panels, furniture, saw mills, machinery and tools, bioenergy, cardboard, design services, etc.).
Appearance wood and composites – List of companies – By Category
Panels (particle boards, plywood/veneer, etc.)
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tafisa | Lac-Mégantic | Tafisa Website | Particleboard & decorative panels TFL |
| Panolite | Lac-Mégantic | Panolite Website | Lightweight composite panels |
| Masonite – IMM Div. | Lac-Mégantic | Industries Manufacturières Mégantic Website | Plywood/veneer |
| Les Pliages Apaulo | Waterville | Les Pliages Apaulo inc. Website | Curved plywood |
Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armoires Danéco | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Kitchen cabinets | |
| Armoires de cuisine Milmonde | Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Beauce | Armoires de cuisine Milmonde Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Armoires Fabritec | Bromont | Fabritec Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Armoires St-Romain | St-Romain | Les Armoires St-Romain Website | Kitchen & bathroom cabinets |
| Atelier d'Ebénisterie Cookshire Inc | Cookshire | Atelier d’Ébénisterie Cookshire Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Atelier Excel | Saint-Benoît-Labre, Beauce | Atelier Excel Website | Kitchen cabinets, furniture |
| CuisiAscot | Ascot Corner | CuisiAscot Website | Kitchen & bathroom cabinets |
| CuisiBeauce | Saint-Gédéon, Beauce | CuisiBeauce Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Cuisine Frontière | Coaticook | Kitchen cabinets | |
| Cuisine Idéale | Sherbrooke | Cuisine Idéale Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Cuisine moderne de l’Estrie | Sherbrooke | Cuisines Modernes Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Cuisine Élégance | Coaticook | Cuisine Élégance Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Cuisines Valencia | Saint-Benoît-Labre, Beauce | Cuisines Valencia Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| FB Expert | Cookshire | FB Expert Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Groupe Cabico | Coaticook | Cabico Website | Kitchen & bathroom cabinets |
| Les Armoires Géroby | Lac-Mégantic | Armoire Géroby Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Les Armoires Luc Richard | Lambton | Armoire Luc Richard Website | Kitchen cabinets, countertops |
| Spécialités MM | Saint-Côme-Linière, Beauce | Spécialités MM Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Vifor | Ayer's Cliff | Vifor Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Ébénisterie E.L. | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Ébénisterie E.L. Website | Kitchen cabinets |
| Ébénisterie Fantaisies | Saint-Martin de Beauce | Kitchen cabinets | |
| Ébénisterie Frontenac | Frontenac | Kitchen cabinets | |
| Ébénisterie La-Qui | Saint-Gédéon de Beauce | Kitchen cabinets | |
| Ébénisterie Less Art | Saint-René, Beauce | Kitchen cabinets |
Windows & Doors
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portes et fenêtres Vallée | Frontenac | Portes et fenêtres Vallée Website | Windows and doors |
| Masonite International | Lac-Mégantic | Masonite Website | Doors |
| Portes Lambton | Lambton | Portes Lambton Website | Doors, residential and commercial |
| Marcoux et Frères | Coaticook | Doors | |
| Bégin A. & Fils | La Guadeloupe | A, Bégin et Fils Website | Garage doors |
| Blankfort | Saint-Éphrem de Beauce | Blankfort Website | Fire doors |
| Boccam | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Boccam Website | Doors |
| Portes et fenêtres Altek | Saint-Joseph de Beauce | Portes et fenêtres Altek Website | Windows and doors |
| Fenêtres Robert | Sherbrooke | Fenêtres Robert Website | Windows and doors |
| Portes & Fenêtres Abritek | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Portes et fenêtres Abritek Website | Windows and doors |
| Portes Baillargeon (Masonite) | Saint-Éphrem de Beauce | Portes Baillargeon Website | Doors |
| HuskyPortes & Fenêtres | Saint-Côme-Linière, Beauce | Husky Portes et fenêtres Website | Windows and doors |
| Portes Moustiquaires SB | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Screen doors | |
| Portes Veilleux 2000 | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Portes Veilleux 2000 Website | Doors |
| Pro Expert Portes & Fenêtres | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Pro Expert Website | Windows and doors |
| Ultima Fenestration | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Ultima fenestration Website | Windows and doors |
| Portes Lemieux | Windsor | Portes Lemieux Website | Doors |
Furniture
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bestar | Lac-Mégantic | Bestar Website | Office furniture, office storage |
| Menuiserie Belcotech | Audet | Furniture | |
| South Shore Meubles | Sainte-Croix | South Shore Meubles Website | Furniture |
| Meubles Cirouak 2000 | Saint-Honoré de Shenley, Beauce | Meubles Cirouak Website | Furniture |
| Ébénisterie Stéphane Fortin | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Ébénisterie Stéphane Fortin Website | Antique furniture |
| Mobilier Phoenix (coop) | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Furniture | |
| Mobilier Rustique Beauce | Saint-Martin de Beauce | Mobilier Rustique Website | Furniture and siding (cedar) |
| La Spécialité du Meuble | Saint-Honoré de Shenley, Beauce | Furniture | |
| Compo-Lame | Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Beauce | Furniture | |
| Shermag | Sherbrooke | Shermag Website | Furniture |
| Logiflex | Sherbrooke | Logiflex Website | Furniture – office/institutions/commercial |
| Les Comptoirs Prémoulés G Pomerleau | Saint-Ephrem de Beauce | Furniture |
Flooring
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bois Ditton | La Patrie | Bois Ditton Website | Floors, mouldings |
| Boa-Franc / Planchers Mirage | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Boa-Franc Website Planchers Mirage Website | Flooring |
| CG Planchers | Saint-Georges de Beauce | CG Plancher Website | Mouldings for floors |
| Moulures JSD | Saint-Éphrem de Beauce | Mouldings | |
| Bois Sélection | Westbury | Bois Sélection Website | Flooring |
Woodworking, wooden components, pallets, architectural components and other specialized products
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Lapointe & Fils | Saint-Romain | A. Lapointe Website | Turnery – Custom components |
| Palettes Beauceronnes | Courcelles | Pallets | |
| Palettes CMP | Courcelles | Pallets | |
| Maison Usinex | Milan | Maison Usinex Website | Prefab homes |
| Chevron Royal | Sherbrooke | Chevron Royal Website | Structural components – construction (walls, floors, roof, etc.) |
| Palettes Multiples | Nantes | Pallets | |
| Perron Palettes & Produits du bois | Sawyerville | Pallets | |
| Produits CLP | Woburn | Wooden accessories, (butcher's) | |
| Jean-François Hall Artisan Ébéniste | Lac-Mégantic | Woodworking | |
| Bois Rond Mégantic | Notre-Dame-des-Bois | Bois Rond Mégantic Website | Log house & components |
| Atelier Cheval de Bois | Coaticook | Atelier Cheval de bois Website | Wood toys |
| La Cheville de Bois | Coaticook | Woodworking | |
| Ébénisterie d'art Roland Noth inc. | Stanstead-Est | Roland Noth ébéniste Website | Woodworking |
| Ébénisterie Marcel Filion | Coaticook | Woodworking | |
| Champeau | Saint-Malo | Champeau Website | Hardwood components |
| Maxi Flamme 2000 | Compton | Maxi-Flamme 2000 Website | Firestarter |
| Menuiserie Yvon Veilleux | Compton | Menuiserie Yvon Veilleux Website | Woodworking |
| Pototype | St-Herménégilde | Prototype Website | Ornemental wooden products |
| Ébénisterie Beaubois | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Beaubois Website | Architectural wood work |
| Ébénisterie Cham-Bois | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Ébénisterie Chambois Website | Architectural wood work |
| Ébénisterie Guy Rodrigue | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Ébénisterie Guy Rodrigue Website | Woodworking |
| Les Cèdres Jersey | Saint Côme Linière Beauce | Les Cèdres Jersey Website | Log house and components |
| Industries P.F. | Saint-Martin de Beauce | Industries P.F. Website | Wood fences |
| Decovali | Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce | Decovali Website | Architectural wood design |
| Maibec | Lévis | Maibec Website | Wood siding |
| Menuiserie des Pins | Notre-Dame des Pins, Beauce | Menuiserie des Pins Website | Wood components (pine) |
| Menuiserie Gérard Faucher | Menuiserie Gérard Faucher Website | Woodworking | |
| Multi-Concept SBL | Saint-Benoît-Labre, Beauce | Multi-Concept SBL Website | Prefab buildings |
| Bois Hamel | Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce | Bois Hamel Website | Wood beams, flooring, walls, etc. |
| Clyvanor | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Clyvanor Website | Roofs, floor trusses, panels |
| Produits Matra | Saint-Martin de Beauce | Mantra Website | Siding |
| RCM Modulaire | Saint-Benoît-Labre, Beauce | RCM Modulaire Website | Prefab buildings |
| Toitures Fecteau | Saint Benoît Labre Beauce | Toitures Fecteau Website | Roofs, beams, floors |
| Éclisse Ébénisterie d'art | Cookshire-Eaton | Éclisse Ébénisterie d'art Website | Woodworking, art pieces |
| Gober Portes d'armoires | Coaticook | Gober Portes d'armoires Website | Kitchen cabinet components, mouldings, etc. |
| Bois ouvrés Waterville | Waterville | Bois ouvrés Waterville Website | Wood components for tables, drawers, etc. |
| Sher-Wood | Sherbrooke | Sher-Wood Website | Hockey sticks |
| Sim-Art Ébénisterie | Ascot Corner | Sim-Art Ébénisterie Website | Pet funeral urn (cremation) |
| Davibois | Windsor | Davibois Website | Laminated door panels, mouldings, etc. |
| Millette & Fils | Lawrenceville | Millette & Fils Website | Wooden crates |
| Groupe Gaston Côté | Sherbrooke | Groupe Gaston Côté Website | Roof trusses, prefab walls, floor beams, etc. |
| Tournage R.P. | Saint-François-Xavier-de -Brompton | Tournage R.P. Website | Wood turning |
| Guitabec | Princeville | Guitabec Website | Guitars |
| Les Mousses de L’Estrie | Lambton | Les Mousses de l'Estrie Website | Mulch (horticultural) |
| Industries Touch | Sherbrooke | Industries Touch Website | Wholesale – kitchen accessories (wood, others) |
| Léo Grondin Inc. | Frontenac | Architectural wood work | |
| Bois St-Pierre | Lac-Mégantic | Wooden components | |
| Multi-pièces Lac-Mégantic | Lac-Mégantic | Pallets |
Sawmills (hardwood & timber, chipwood & sawdust)
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scierie Lapointe & Roy | Courcelles | Lumber | |
| Scierie M.S. Bilodeau | Courcelles | Scierie MS Bilodeau Website | Cedar lumber |
| Sober | Lambton | Dryer | |
| Planage Bernier | Lambton | Planing | |
| Scierie Fernand Rancourt | Lac-Mégantic | Scierie Fernand Rancourt Website | Hardwood squares, non standard size |
| Scierie Générations | Lac-Mégantic | Scierie Générations Website | Hardwood lumber |
| Scierie Tech | Lac-Drolet | Scierie Tech Website | Eastern White Pine Lumber |
| Bois Lambert | Lac-Mégantic | Lumber | |
| Les Billots Sélect Mégantic | Lac-Mégantic | Lumber | |
| Bernier Bois-Franc | Lambton | Lumber | |
| Fontaine | Woburn | Fontaine Website | Softwood lumber |
| Les Manufacturiers Warwick | Warwick | Boulanger Website | Lumber |
| Multibois F.L. | Woburn | Lumber | |
| Les Bois Poulin | Lac-Drolet | Poulin Website | Hardwood lumber |
| Broyage Mobile Estrie | Ascot Corner | BME Website | Wood chips, residue, etc. |
| Bois Hunting | Waterville | Lumber | |
| Bois Maroy | Stanstead-Est | Lumber | |
| Marcel Lauzon | East Hereford | Marcel Lauzon Website | Softwood lumber (spruce, balsam) |
| Scierie Coaticook | Coaticook | Lumber | |
| Scierie Leclerc et Tremblay | Dixville | Scierie Leclerc & Tremblay Website | Lumber |
| Séchoir CPC | Waterville | Lumber wood preserving | |
| Bardeaux & Cèdres St-Honoré | Saint-Honoré-de-Shenley, Beauce | Lumber (cedar) | |
| Bois Kennebec | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Lumber | |
| Produits Forestiers DG | St-Jean-de-la-Lande, Beauce | Produits forestiers DG Website | Softwood lumber |
| Usine Sartigan | Saint-Honoré-de-Shenley, Beauce | Usine Sartigan Website | Hardwood lumber, wood boards |
| Carrier et Bégin | Saint-Honoré-de-Shenley, Beauce | Lumber | |
| Scierie Boucher | Saint-Honoré-de-Shenley, Beauce | Scierie Boucher Website | Lumber |
| Scierie Clermond Hamel (div. of Bois Hamel) | Saint-Ephrem-de-Beauce | Clermont Hamel Website | Lumber, beams, construction |
| Pro-Bois André Rousseau | Weedon | Lumber | |
| Bois de la Patte d’Ours | Sawyerville | Lumber | |
| Scierie Melbourne | Richmond | Lumber |
Machinery, Tools and Finishing
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comact | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Comact Website | Sawmill machinery |
| OSI Wood Machinerie | Saint-Georges de Beauce | OSI Wood Machinerie Website | Wood processing machinery |
| Machinerie Lico | Saint-Georges de Beauce | Lico Website | Sawmill machinery |
| Équipements PHL | Saint-Éphrem de Beauce | Équipements PHL Website | Sawmill machinery |
Bioenergy/Bioproducts
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Granules Énergex | Lac-Mégantic | Energex Website | Pellet Fuel |
| CelluForce | Windsor | CelluForce Website | Nanocrystalline cellulose |
Pulp & Paper
| Company | Location | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascades | Kingsey Falls | Cascades Website | Paper, cardboard |
| Hood Pakaging Corp. | East-Angus | Hood Packaging Website | Paper bags |
| Domtar (Windsor div.) | Windsor | Domtar Website | Paper (copies, stationary) |