OUR HISTORY

SINCE 1912

Atelier Gérard Beaulieu Inc. (AGB) is a family-run manufacturing company that has successfully diversified its business from its humble beginnings into a specialist in manufacture, welding, hydraulic mechanics, etc. It all started in 1912 with the arrival in Saint-Quentin of Moïse Beaulieu, the grandfather of the current shareholder, who founded the town’s first public forge. In 1957, his son Gérard acquired the company to transform it into a welding shop. Later on, Gérard passed the business to his sons Robert, Marc and Michel who became the official owners in 1984. Eventually, Marc became the sole proprietor in 2010.

Our timeline:

• 1912 – Moïse Beaulieu arrives from Sainte-Angèle-de-Méricie in Québec at the age of 33. He opens a blacksmiths and wheelwright workshop.
• 1943 – His son Gérard, then aged 17, joins his father in the business. At that time, the company had just two employees.
• 1957 – Moïse Beaulieu retires and Gérard takes over the company.
• 1958 – Construction of a new machinery workshop to meet the demand of local mills.
• 1969 – Robert, Gérard’s eldest son, begins working in the company as a welder.
• 1977 – Marc, Gérard’s youngest son, joins the company as machinist and welder. A new goal is set. To become a machinery and expert welding workshop.
• 1979 – The shop is expanded.
• 1983 – Michel, Gérard’s other son, joins the team as welder and mechanic.
• 1984 – Incorporation of Atelier Gérard Beaulieu Inc. and transfer of Gérard’s shares to his sons Robert, Marc and Michel, joins the company to work as a mechanic and repairman of industrial radiators and heavy equipment.
• 1986 – Modernization of the equipment. Acquisition of a production management system. The company becomes a specialist in the refurbishment of diesel motors.
• 1993-1994 – Construction of office space (20′ x 20′), a storage area (8′ x 90′) and expansion of the machining shop workshop (760 square feet).
• 1995 – Incorporation of a new division AGB Foresterie Inc. to participate in the forestry industry.
• 1995 – Company of the Year Award given by Commission industrielle de Restigouche Inc. The company new employs 15 to 17 people and reaches the 1 million-dollar-in-sales mark.
• 1996-1999 – Renovation of the equipment, surface grinder, cutting table, lathe/mill, etc.
• 2000 – Transfer of Robert Beaulieu’s shares to Marc and Michel Beaulieu, as well as Denis Caron.
• 2002 – Adoption of the KAIZEN methodology (continuous improvement).
• 2002 – CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) Certification CSAW47.1-92&CSAW59-1989.
• 2003 – Adoption of the PVA KAIZEN methods in the workshop.
• 2004 – Expansion of the workshop and purchase of the Auto Électrique Roy inventory.
• 2004 – ISO 9001 Certification. Adoption of the quality management system and purchase of CNC press brakes and shears, and slip roll.
• 2004 – The company begins producing mobile fuel tanks.
• 2005 – The company begins producing waste containers.
• 2006 – Construction of an addition that will house a painting workshop. Major contract for the supply of storage tanks to the American Army.
• 2007 – A new product is added to our line: ULC-S601 certified storage tanks.
• 2009 – A new product is added to our line: Generator trailers.
• 2009 – Creation of two new brands and their websites: Guardian Tanks fuel tanks and Blacksmiths waste containers.
• 2010 – Launch of the new AGB logo together with a new website with the company’s new image.
• 2010 – Transfer of Michel Beaulieu and Denis Caron’s shares to Marc Beaulieu, who becomes the company’s sole proprietor.
• 2011 – Addition of a new building (7,000 square feet) to prepare metal sheets for cutting and bending.
• 2011 – Developement of new markets: West Canada and the United States.
• 2011 – Launch of a new product brand: our ACM (Advanced Concrete Mixers) line of replacement concrete mixers.
• 2012 – Acquisition of ERP (Enterprise resource planning) and CRM (Customer relationship management) software.
• 2013 – Launch of our new Gardian Tanks DT1 certified by Transport Canada and ULC.
• 2014 – Acquisition of a drawing module for the analysis models in SolidWorks.
• 2015- Acquisition ULC-S602 certification.