The Wemotaci Atikamekw Council has invested $1.8 million in the oldest family hardware store in Canada, Pierre Naud Inc.
Throughout its history, the Pierre Naud family business has been able to ensure a constant growth in line with the economic development of its region: Mauricie. In 1890, Pierre Naud set up a door and window workshop in Sainte-Thècle. Over the years and generations, the company has grown by expanding its facilities to increase its production, and then by diversifying its services and products: from doors and windows to general renovation, including sawing and planing plants and warehouses. In 2006, the family business, now managed by Philippe and Marc-André Lebel from the 4th generation, became affiliated with Groupe BMR. The founding family now owns 6 BMR branches: 5 in Mauricie and one in the Capitale-Nationale region. They still own a door and window factory, Portes et Fenêtres Fusion, located in Desbiens, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Recently, the oldest family hardware store in Canada has a new partner, the Wemotaci Atikamekw Council (WAC). In fact, in a new phase of its economic development plan, including partnerships with non-Aboriginal businesses, the First Nations community of Wemotaci has just invested $1.8 million in the BMR branch in La Tuque, thus becoming co-owner with 51% of the shares. This is the WAC’s first investment outside its community. The association between the Atikamekw community of Wemotaci and the Lebel brothers was natural. Since they already supplied construction materials to the community, the Lebel brothers were familiar with their reality, which facilitated the negotiations. This unprecedented partnership became for both groups of partners an important lever to develop new opportunities. Through the branch that now bears the name of S. E. C. Pierre Naud/Mokotakan, the partners hope to develop business in La Tuque together!
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Read the news: ‘Des Atikamekw en partenariat avec la plus vieille quincaillerie familiale du Canada’
