History

It was in 1959 that Mr. Renaud Fournier started business by offering tinplate services in his home basement. The following year, he purchased a piece of land and built a shop offering specialized services in tinplate, machining, hydraulic and platework.

From 1960 to 1974, then known as "Fournier Steel Works Ltd", the company was working mainly in the fabrication, maintenance and installation of mining equipment. In the late 1970's, the company diversified its market to target foundries, aluminum smelters and grain elevators.

In 1976, Mr. Fournier acquired the company Richmond Fournier (1976) Inc., specialized in the preparation of anode and cathode bars for aluminum smelters.

In 1987, the company takes an active interest in an equipment developed by the Industrial Research Center of Quebec (C.R.I.Q.): a rotary press for dewatering municipal and industrial sludge.

Since 1960, the plant experienced seven expansions of workshops and offices. The last one was completed in spring 2000 and required significant investments. It allowed the company to add 20,000 square feet (1860 square meters) to the work surface and increase the height and lifting capacities of the overhead cranes. During the same period, the company invests five million dollars 5 M$ (CAD) to buy cutting edge technology equipment for fabrication and milling, R&D in dehydration industry, development of national and international markets and training of the workforce. Since 2000, the company has continued to invest in machine tool modernization, improvement of computer equipment and software, organization and layout of its offices and business diversification and marketing.

In May 2005, the company proudly announces the purchase of Tecosol Inc., a company providing comprehensive services in the characterization and treatment of soil and underground water contamination. Its staff of 10 employees consist of environmental specialists such as hydrogeologists, biologists and technologists in ground and water decontamination. They act as consultants or contractors for public or private customers.

In November 2009, the company acquires Kamtech Services in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Their qualified staff of over 60 employees handles the onsite installation of mining, hydroelectric and industrial projects.

In October 2010, a joint-venture is established: Compte-Fournier Inc. with whom European technology in biomass boilers is offered.

In May 2013, a new company is created : METOX Inc., specialized in heavy metal soil decontamination.

During the same year, in October, Mr. Renaud Fournier sells his shares, turning the page after more than 53 years as President of Fournier Industries Inc.
Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins in partnership with members of the company's management team acquire Mr. Fournier's actions. As part of this transaction, the company maintains all of its operations in Thetford Mines and in Trois-Rivières.

An investment of 2 million dollars allows the Thetford Mines plant to redevelop and expand an additional 12,000 square feet, increasing the space available for the mechanical and hydraulic assembly of its products, mainly rotary presses and manufacture of filter presses. The work began in September 2015 and ended in February 2016.