Louis Beaulieu (third from left), CEO of Ouellet Canada, unveiled the company’s new sign sporting the 50th anniversary colours. Left to right, long-serving plant employees Christian Guillemette, Gilbert Lemieux, Beaulieu, Jocelyn Deschênes, Dave Gagnon and Bruno Michaud.
Ouellet Canada is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. “This is a historic moment for the owners and directors of the company. We want to recognize it throughout the year and we will therefore be organizing celebratory events every month,” said Martin Beaulieu, president of Ouellet Canada, at the company’s annual general meeting in January.
To launch the year-long anniversary celebrations, Louis Beaulieu, CEO of Ouellet Canada, unveiled the company’s new sign sporting the 50th anniversary colours in front of the company’s head office together with five of the plant’s longest serving employees. “I want our employees to be at the heart of the celebrations because the company’s success over the years is down to them,” explained Beaulieu.
Two other signs displaying the 50th anniversary logo have been erected, one at the employee entrance at the L’Islet plant, and the other outside the entrance to the distribution centre in Montmagny.
Based in L’Islet on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Ouellet Canada designs, manufactures and sells electrical heating products for the residential, commercial and industrial markets.
Ouellet Canada Inc. had humble beginnings. Charles-Émile Ouellet launched the business from a makeshift workshop in his home, but it wasn’t long before the little business became more than a backyard venture. Pushing the limits of innovation and keeping research and production tightly focused on high-performance electrical heating products paid off as Ouellet expanded beyond Quebec to national, American and overseas markets.
Today, with a workforce of over 225 employees and 100,000 sq. ft. of production facilities, Ouellet Canada serves the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Historical highlights
1960
Charles-Émile Ouellet begins manufacturing residential warm-air heating equipment in a workshop next to his home in L’Islet.
1967
The company is incorporated.
1971
Brothers Raymond and Robert Beaulieu join Charles-Émile Ouellet as shareholders.
1976
The first baseboard heater is manufactured.
1982
The Research and Development department is created.
1984
The first electric baseboard with rounded corners launches.
1987
The company expands its sales territory and begins exporting to the United States.
1988
The one millionth baseboard heater is produced. Ouellet becomes the first North American manufacturer to sell white electric baseboards. Ouellet’s first CNC punching machine is bought.
1991
A national sales and distribution network is developed to serve the entire Canadian territory.
1995
The existing building is expanded by 45,000 sq. ft., bringing the total surface area up to 125,000 sq. ft.
The OTEII electronic thermostat is developed and launched on the market.
1996
ISO 9003:1994 certification is obtained.
Ouellet wins the IED (Independent Electrical Distributors) trophy for the first time.
1998
The company begins exporting to China.
1999
Ouellet starts exporting its products to China and Japan.
2001
Robert Beaulieu retires. Raymond Beaulieu becomes majority shareholder of the company.
2004
A floor heating plant is opened, now Celsiair Inc. based in Quebec City. Hazloc Heaters is opened in Calgary. Ouellet Canada Group Inc. is formed, consisting of: Ouellet Canada Inc. and Hazloc Heaters
2005
Ouellet’s China factory starts assembling Ouellet products.
2007
Ouellet architectural products (ODB) are installed in the 89-storey Trump Tower in Chicago.
2009
Raymond Beaulieu is awarded the Tom Torokvei trophy by the Independent Electrical Distributors (IED) group for his leadership and dedication. Ouellet Canada is awarded Supplier of the Year for the fifth time by Independent Electrical Distributors (IED). Raymond Beaulieu’s three sons, Martin, Philippe and Louis, become major shareholders of Ouellet Canada Group Inc.
2010
Dettson Industries Inc. is acquired.
2012
Global Commander ULC is acquired.
2013
The 10 millionth electric baseboard heater is produced.
2015
A new distribution centre at Montmagny opens, with an area of 45,000 sq. ft.
2016
Manufacturing operations of floor heating systems moves from Quebec City to L’Islet.
