QUEBEC, April 8 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Founded in 1946, JULIEN celebrates 70 years of know-how. Leader in the manufacturing of stainless steel equipment, commercial kitchens and high volume industrial outsourcing, JULIEN is a world-class Quebec company that has taken the international market by storm successfully. Since JULIEN's acquisition by Gilles St-Pierre in 1995, the company has increased its sales revenues from 10M$ to 95M$. This growth is all the more impressive given the economic context, the strong fluctuation of the value of the Canadian dollar and the two major recessions to hit the United States, all of which, the company had to cope with. Through innovation, JULIEN has adapted to change and continued to develop new markets in Canada, as well as internationally.
ADAPTING TO MARKET CHANGES – DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY
Gilles St-Pierre, president at JULIEN, states, that over the past 20 years, the company has practically had to change everything in order to continue its growth and adapt to the reality of an evolving market. JULIEN has taken an avant-garde approach to modernization by innovating through manufacturing processes, adopting a technological shift, investing in new equipment as well as training for its employees. Before 1990, JULIEN specialized solely in conceptualizing and manufacturing commercial kitchens (hospitals and restaurants in over 17 countries). To this day, this sector remains essential, however, in order to expand, the company needed diversification. A strong business plan was therefore devised and implement.
- Since 1990, JULIEN has developed the industrial outsourcing market and brought up its sales to 45M$. It specializes in manufacturing high-quality stainless steel pieces for North American, Mexican and Chinese home appliance companies (Maytag, GE, Electrolux….). Manufacturing of medical and pharmaceutical components and products is also developed.
- Starting in 2002, JULIEN introduces its residential division Home Refinements with an offering of high-end sinks. Its portfolio includes over 500 products distributed through approximately 450 North American dealers and exported to Germany. Prominently featured in luxury real-estate projects in places such as Sunny Isles in Florida, Boston, New York and Vancouver, its sinks are renowned for their quality and innovation.
- Starting in 2010, JULIEN acquires Doyon & fils, Félisol and Groupe Restau-Service, all encompassed under the DOYON Cuisine banner and having become the most important distributor, in Quebec, of kitchen tools and products for the professional.
- In 2013, JULIEN develops the rail industry by creating the Julien Rail Solutions division. Recently, JULIEN conceptualized and manufactured 8 'Château' and 4 'Park' passenger cars for the new train 'The Canadian' which offers a shuttle between Toronto and Vancouver. This contract, worth 16.2M$, was completed last summer.
By being involved in 4 different segments, JULIEN can more effectively counter against market fluctuations as well as fill its backlog and continue its progress. 'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We must strive to reinforce all our lines of business', states Mr. Gilles St-Pierre, JULIEN President.
INVESTING AND INNOVATING TO HIGHLIGHT QUEBECERS' KNOW-HOW
An industry leader, JULIEN ranks number one in Canada as a manufacturer of stainless steel products and in the top three in North America. Backed by its know-how, products are manufactured in its state-of-the-art factory in Quebec City. To that end, JULIEN invests yearly between 1M$ and 2M$ to modernize and add new equipment, integrate new technologies or expand its facility in order to increase production. This year, JULIEN will invest 2,3M$ in new equipment.
Furthermore, each year, a 500 000$ investment is allocated to optimizing the manufacturing processes as well as continuous improvement.
REPUTABLE CLIENTS AND MAJOR CONTRACTS
The company's clients includes reputable businesses such as Desjardins, National Bank, Videotron, Brunet pharmacies, Pizza Hut, Electrolux, Steris, General Electric Appliances, Whirlpool, Sharp, Cadexair, Bell Center, Cisco, KFC, Harvard University, Yale University, MBNA Canada, Bombardier, Amtrak, Via Rail and Siemens. The company has obtained contracts for the kitchens in the Videotron Center (contract worth 7M$) as well as in many New York and New England universities. Many recurrent year-long contracts totaling 6M$ were signed last year with various American manufacturers and many more are being negotiated on a regular basis. The headquarters of most important North American companies' have a kitchen signed JULIEN.
GROWTH STRATEGY
Every year, JULIEN reviews its business plan and reaffirms that its growth will come through stainless steel. It is also the company's desire to develop more Signature products resulting from its expertise such as the Home Refinements brand. 'Innovative products offer production repetition that allows us to have more control over our destiny. Obviously, the focus will remain within the core part of our business, residential and commercial kitchens. We are proud that our Home Refinements brand is the reference in America', outlines Gilles St-Pierre. 'We have an optimistic view of the future', he adds.
ABOUT JULIEN
JULIEN is known for its expertise in transforming sheet metal such as stainless steel. Equipped with the most recent technologies, JULIEN possesses a strong innovative culture and maintains a tradition for thoroughness in design, concepts, fabrication, assembly, distribution and implementation of its products. It remains ranked highest in quality, deadlines and delivery. It is without a doubt what provides it its reputation as a supplier with the best overall cost. To stay ahead, the company shares its know-how with the professionals who work for it. With over 300 employees, JULIEN invests each year an average of 3% of its wage bill in training. The company therefore has a very strong asset: an extraordinarily competent work force.
SOURCE JULIEN - Le Maitre de L’inox
Source : JULIEN, (418) 687-3630, • 1 (800) 461-3377; Media Relations : Sylvie Beaulieu, • (418) 658-1761, • [email protected]
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