The Gilbert Group
DARING ENGINEERING PARTNERS

Back in 1957, a rural trucker called Fernand Gilbert crisscrossed the regional roads under the admiring eyes of his sons who were already dreaming of the day they would join him. In those days, nobody doubted that 42 years later his company would become the top of the cream within the domain of civil engineering thanks to the perseverance, audacity and determination of this family of builders.

SWIFT GROWTH

Originally, The Gilbert Group worked almost exclusively in snow clearing with a three to four vehicles and loading fleet. Little by little the family enterprise slowly started to specialize in related sectors such as construction, quarries, transport, dynamiting and complementary activities such as the development of an industrial park, real estate and the environment.

Specialized in engineering and construction, the company now counts with a fleet of 300 pieces of equipment and includes five enterprises offering various services responding to the most sophisticated requirements of its vast clientele.

• F. Gilbert Ltd. specializes in engineering and companies in general
• Transport F. Gilbert counts with a 150 vehicule fleet for local and long distance transport, including bulk as well as heavy and over dimensional equipment and petroleum products
• Concassage T.C.G. exploits high capacity crushers
• Dynamitage T.C.G. is involved both in dynamiting and drilling
• Fardier Quebec, based in the Old Capital, Quebec City, sells towing vehicles and drilling equipment
• Enviro-Globe works in the environment sector

Based in a true industrial park at the entrance of Chicoutimi, the Gilbert Group members became real leaders in their fields. T.C.G . became the second most important company in the drilling and dynamiting sector in Quebec. Concassage Nordic counts with a crushing plant capable of processing 500 tons an hour.

Transport F. Gilbert is capable of transporting practically everything : gasoline, heavy equipment, industrial products and large pieces, all according to the clients specifications.

The Gilbert Group has developed a major concept : literally to move the masses. If there is a mountain to move or millions of tons of rocks to crush, we can call on their experience, know-how, working methods, imagination and reliance of their equipment.

THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY'S BUSINESS

Established by Fernand Gilbert Sr. in 1957, its management encompasses six members of the same family. The eldest son, Réjean, still remembers how he started, when very young, working in the garage on Saturdays and holidays.

He also tells, although full of emotion, stories of his deceased brother five years ago. " We were the first to come. I will always remember his energy and determination which helped the company so much. He's still among us serving as an example not only to us but to the employees. He worked enthusiastically and left us his love for work, trust and respect."

ISO 9002, LEADERS IN THEIR FIELD

Réjean Gilbert is proud to show the medals of the company, certified ISO 9002 for two years now. No wonder the group received the " Gold " mention in the 1997 500's Gala.

" Our quality policy embraces a need for constant improvement. We are also commited to understand the needs, the delivery of the projects on time and to search areas to be improved. "

They proudly display the acknowledgements of ALCAN Vaudreuil for exceptional work carried out during the 1996 floods. Incredible efforts, determination, ingenuity, audacity and leadership were needed so ALCAN could continue its mission, wrote Mr. Jean Pedneault of Sécal.

The Group works for large clients all over Quebec. In Alma, at the new aluminum plant, for City Halls, Governments, Hydro-Quebec and the mining companies. " We have carried out the projects for the aluminum plant Alouette in Sept-Iles, Alcan's plant Laterrière, James Bay's dikes, Trouilus mine in Chibougamau, one of James Bay's most northern routes, another one in a particularly hostile environment on Basse Côte-Nord in Johan-Beetz Bay. In every single case, the Group proved an undisputable capability mainly thanks to its managers and employees' professionalism.

PERFORMING EMPLOYEES : A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS!

The Gilbert Group counts with more than 300 employees and a salary mass of over ten million dollars. " Some of our employees have been here for twenty years ", said Mr. Gilbert. " We try to treat them fairly and they respond. Their output is incredible, equaled only by our accomplishments. Nevertheless , Mr. Gilbert expressed , we should not sit still ". The company tries to develop and sustain a dynamic energy offering the client a partnership approach.

THE FUTURE

The Gilbert Group, in the new millenium, is truly focused on the future. " We will embrace the new millenium with assurance and stability " continued Mr. Gilbert. The new direction will encompass high technology and partnerships. Even if competition is extremely fierce, the enterprise is rethinking its ways for being competitive. " We have one objective : to be the best and we work incessantly . We invest in equipment and in training for employees. We believe in ourselves, we believe in our workers and we believe in our region. "

To conclude, we can quote the Chamber of Commerce of Chicoutimi, which recently granted a " Méritas " award to Group Gilbert. " The life of this company has been a true story of passionate fervor, of commitment to its clientele looking forward to a future full of hope and projects. It is the story of a great local family, started by Mr. Fernand Gilbert, who gave his name to Gilbert Group Ltd. "