For over a half-century, Cascades has been revealing the full potential of people, materials and ideas.
The 1960s at Cascades
The birth of a sustainable vision
Even before founding Cascades in 1964, the Lemaire family had a vision of green living. Sustainable development wasn’t yet a way of life, but these Quebecers shared a deeply held belief in the importance of reusing, recovering and recycling for the good of the environment and society.
1964
Antonio, Bernard and Laurent Lemaire restore an old abandoned mill that belonged to Dominion Paper Cie in Kingsey Falls. It was the birth of Papier Cascades Inc.
1967
The Lemaires introduce a profit-sharing program for employees.
Alain Lemaire joins the company.
1969
Cascades celebrates its fifth anniversary. Its important economic contribution to the region is celebrated in Kingsey Falls.
1964 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Kingsey Falls
1964 – Cascades Transport
The 1970s at Cascades
Deploying its know-how
Cascades begins its first wave of expansion across Québec. While manufacturing activities head down new paths, the founders remain faithful to their vision: ensuring that their products are composed of as much recycled material as possible.
1971
Cascades creates Forma-Pak, the first plant for moulded pulp made of 100% recycled fibres.
1974
After 10 years, Cascades has 165 employees and sales of $7.2 million.
1976
Cascades opens its doors in Cabano with a containerboard plant.
1977
Cascades and Wyant become equal partners in the creation of the first tissue products plant.
1971 – Cascades Forma-Pak
1972 – Cascades Papier Kingsey Falls
1972 – Plastiques Cascades
1974 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Victoriaville
1976 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Cabano
1977 – Cascades Tissue Group – Kingsey Falls
1978 – Cascades Conversion inc.
The 1980s at Cascades
Constant growth
Cascades distinguishes itself by acquiring and turning around plants in difficulty and refurbishing equipment. It expands to the U.S. and Europe, is listed on the stock exchange and pushes the boundaries of innovation by creating its own Research and Development Centre.
1983
Cascades is listed on the Montréal Stock Exchange and puts down roots in the U.S.
1985
The Lemaire brothers create the Research and Development Centre and acquire their first plant in Europe.
1989
Cascades celebrates its 25th anniversary and its many accomplishments.
1982 – Cascades Services and Purchasing
1982 – Cascades Inopak
1983 – Cascades Boxboard Group – East Angus
1983 – Cascades East Angus
1983 – Cascades Tissue Group – Rockingham
1984 – Cascades Boxboard Group – Jonquière
1985 – Cascades S.A.S., La Rochette Division
1985 – Cascades Fine Papers Group, Fibers Breakey
1985 – Research and Development Centre
1986 – Cascades Moulded Pulp
1986 – Cascades Lupel
1989 – Plastiques Cascades – Re-Plast
1989 – Cascades Djupafors A.B.
The 1990s at Cascades
Focus on diversification
The markets explode and competition goes global. Cascades energetically explores purchasing and strategic investment opportunities in the industry. It acquires a number of production units that will transform it by diversifying its activities.
1992
Bernard Lemaire hands over the presidency to his brother Laurent.
1995
Cascades breaks into the energy market with the acquisition of Boralex, an electricity producer dedicated to the development and operation of renewable energy production sites.
1997
Cascades merges its activities in the containerboard industry with Domtar, creating Norampac Inc.
1991 – Norampac – Newfoundland
1992 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Drummondville
1992 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Vaudreuil
1992 – Cascades Fine Papers Group, Rolland Division
1992 – Cascades Boxboard Group – Mississauga
1992 – Cascades Multi-Pro
1992 – Cascades Sonoco, Birmingham
1994 – Converdis inc.
1994 – Cascades Transport
1995 – Cascades Enviropac
1995 – Cascades Tissue Group – Candiac
1995 – Cascades Tissue Group – Laval
1995 – Cascades Tissue Group – Lachute
1997 – Norampac
1997 – Alain Lemaire Skills Development Centre
1997 – Cascades GIE inc.
1997 – Cascades Sonoco, Tacoma
1998 – Cascades Fine Papers Group, Transformation Centre
1998 – Cascades Auburn Fiber
1999 – Cascades Plastics
1999 – Cascades CIP
The 2000s at Cascades
Joining forces to innovate
It is an era of consolidation; competition is stiff and the value of the dollar is climbing, along with the cost of fibre and energy. Cascades is determined to solidify its position in its most promising sectors: packaging and tissue products.
2003
Laurent Lemaire hands over the presidency of Cascades to his younger brother Alain.
2006
Cascades gains full ownership of Norampac.
2008
Cascades merges its boxboard manufacturing activities with those of Italian giant Reno de Medici, S.p.A.
2000 – Cascades Rollpack SAS (Saulcy-sur-Meurthe et Châtenois, France)
2000 – Cascades Tissue Group – IFC Disposables Inc.
2001 – Cascades Tissue Group – Pennsylvania (Pittston)
2001 – Cascades Tissue Group – Wisconsin
2001 – Cascades Boxboard Group – Winnipeg
2001 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – New York City
2002 – Cascades Tissue Group – New York Inc. (Mechanicville et Waterford)
2002 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Leominster
2002 – Cascades Tissue Group – Oregon Inc.
2003 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Schenectady
2004 – Cascades Boxboard Group – Cobourg
2004 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Lancaster
2004 – Norampac New England, Thompson Division
2004 – Cascades Tissue Group – Arizona
2004 – Cascades Tissue Group – Tennessee
2004 – Laurent-Lemaire Information Technology Centre
2005 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Belleville
2005 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Viau
2005 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Le Gardeur
2007 – Cascades Enviropac Grand Rapids
2009 – Cascades Tissue Group – Toronto MAP
2009 – Cascades Tissue Group – Toronto
The 2010s at Cascades
Building the future together
Cascades is firmly committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainable development. Its primary intention is to position itself at the head of the pack in the packaging and tissue products sectors.
2011
Mario Plourde succeeds Alain Lemaire as COO.
2014
Across North American and in Europe, Cascades celebrates its 50th anniversary.
50th Special Notebook (5.3 Mo)
2016
The Norampac division aligns itself with the rest of the company and takes the name Cascades Containerboard Packaging.
2017
Cascades monetizes its investment in Boralex by selling its interest to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
2011 – Cascades Tissue Group – Papersource
2011 – Cascades Enviropac Aurora
2011 – Norcan Flexible Packaging Inc.
2011 – Greenpac Mill, LLC
2012 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Bird
2014 – Cascades Tissue Group – Wagram
2016 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Newtown
2017 – Cascades Tissue Group – Oregon Converting – Scappoose
2017 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Coyle
2017 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Brown
2017 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – McLeish
2017 – Cascades Containerboard Packaging – Piscataway
2018 – Cascades Moulded Pulp – Iowa, a division of Cascades Holding US Inc.
2018 – Cascades Moulded Pulp – Indiana, a division of Cascades Holding US Inc.
2019 – Cascades Tissue Group – Oklahoma
2019 – Cascades Tissue Group – South Carolina
Bernard Lemaire
Cofounder
''If there's one thing we're proud of, it's having built a healthy business with a bright outlook for the future.''
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