Our History
Our story is also the story of 10,000 talents. Thanks to the combination of three brothers' vision and the exceptional work of thousands of Cascaders, the Lemaire family's daring gamble has turned into a great adventure that has now lasted for 60 years.
Together, we remember.
The Together, we remember series, where the past meets the present, is giving rise to authentic exchanges that allow us to recognize the men and women who have devoted years, often entire careers, to building this project bigger than all of us: Cascades. Together, they have carried on the tradition and passed on their know-how from generation to generation.
Our beginnings at the “Old Mill”: Bringing a dream to life together
In 1964, Bernard and Laurent Lemaire brought an old paper mill in Kingsey Falls back to life. In those days, they only needed a handful of dedicated employees who joined them in embarking on their wildest dreams.
Six decades later, the “Old Mill” is one of 75 Cascades sites across North America. Despite its age, it’s still a high-performance plant, thanks to the efforts of committed and determined Cascaders.
Cabano, our first experience outside Kingsey Falls: Deploying our know-how together
In the ’70s, Cascades began its first wave of expansion across Québec. It established a presence in Cabano in 1976, which gave the company its first opportunity to apply its expertise outside Kingsey Falls.
If there’s one family of Cascaders that has left its mark on the Cabano plant, it’s the Pelletiers. Both father and son were managers of this plant. Martin Pelletier was the first engineer hired by the company. His son Luc, also an engineer, headed the team responsible for carrying out one of the biggest projects in Cascades’ history, converting the Bear Island plant.
Our expansion in the United States: Together towards new possibilities
The company’s unbridled expansion continued in the 1980s. In 1983, Cascades went public and put down roots in the United States, setting up its first plant on American soil: the Rockingham plant in North Carolina. The Cascaders began to feel like anything was possible. The values and philosophy of Cascades had been exported outside Canada for the first time.
Suzanne Blanchet, one of the pioneers and architects of this expansion into the United States, was President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Tissue Group from 1997 to 2014. Our current president, Jean-David Tardif, is building on this momentum to continue development in this area.
Beyond sales: Together for our customers' success
Although the values of respect for nature, people and communities have remained the same since the very beginning, some things have changed. That’s the case with our customer relationships. In the past, we tried to sell our customers what our machines produced, whereas, today, we work in true partnership with them to ensure that our machines produce what they need, in collaboration with our marketing and innovation teams, as well as our sustainable development teams.
60 years of presidency: Together to pave the way
“I, personally, am a product of Cascades and its development. I’m the humble successor to a line of presidents whose strengths and synergy are now legendary: Bernard, the visionary, Laurent, the manager, Alain, the operator. I’m honoured to have had the privilege to have worked alongside them for all these years, to have learned so much from them, and to have been part of this wonderful synergy. They have passed me the torch, and I’m proud to be able to carry it so high.” — Mario Plourde, President and CEO
A place for women: Realizing their full potential together
The papermaking industry has been long dominated by men, but the women working there now have more space to stand out and leave their mark. Whether it’s through their confidence, their passion for the people around them, or their willingness to push back barriers, they’re forcing us to reconsider the status quo in favour of a more humane and inclusive industry.
A place for youth: Working together for a committed and qualified succession
Looking to the future, Cascades is quick to recognize the vitality of talent ready to take on great challenges, surpass themselves and build their future. Over the past 60 years, the career progression of many young Cascaders has seen them propelled to the heights of team leadership responsibilities and challenges. Indeed, the Company’s focus on involving its employees in its projects and decision-making has always been a source of motivation for young people, to whom Cascades pays particular attention through its scholarships, summer jobs, internships, and its well-established training programs.
A passion for machines: Making paper together
Some would say that the expansion of Cascades is partly thanks to the Lemaires’ passion for machines. Each of them has its own story: for Bear Island, it was the scale of the project it represented; for Greenpac, it was the modernity it injected into our operations. In any case, to the Cascaders who repair, pamper, spoil and polish them, they are much more than mere objects; they are the very heart of the company. However, without the dedicated people who scrupulously care for the equipment, even the most beautiful machines could never run. That is the balance that has kept the passion for papermaking alive at Cascades for 60 years now.
More videos will be released in the coming months. Stay tuned!
Together, we shine with pride.
Mural created in Kingsey Falls
Cascades is pleased to announce that its 60th anniversary mural project at its Kingsey Falls plant is now complete. The work was conceived and painted by Sherbrooke muralist Nicolas Lareau.
Mural created in Candiac
The mural project on the Cascades plant in Candiac is part of the company's 60th anniversary celebrations. This initiative aligns with Cascades’ desire to get involved in the communities where it operates, notably by enhancing its surrounding environments. The work was created by the Tyxna artist collective.
The Builders' Bridge illuminated
In 2014, on Cascades' 50th anniversary festivities, the Company offered the community of Kingsey Falls the Builders' Bridge. For the 60th anniversary, we decided to further embellish this important legacy by illuminating it. Our horticulture and services teams have done a remarkable job to showcase this magnificent work.
Statues to honour Laurent and Alain Lemaire
In the early 2000s, a bronze statue was built in Kingsey Falls in honour of Bernard Lemaire and the rich legacy he left by founding Cascades. In 2024, it will be Laurent and Alain Lemaire's turn to see their own statue join that of their brother. The impressive result will be unveiled in the coming year.
Free skating at the Centre Bell
On Sunday, April 21, 2024, some 325 people gathered at the Centre Bell for two free skating sessions reserved for Cascaders and their families as part of the 60th anniversary festivities! Young and old enjoyed the skating rink with Youppi! in the impressive and grandiose setting of the Centre Bell!
Together, we are committed.
60 steps to drive positive change
This initiative is an opportunity to carry out our employees' ideas for integrating better environmental or social practices into their workplace. Selected projects receive financial support and coaching from our sustainability team. We have one year to complete 60 of them!
A Hockey Classic in the color of the 60th
Last February, Cascades organized the 39th edition of its Hockey Classic, during which a record number of teams made up of employees from different divisions of the company competed in friendly matches. To imprint the event of Cascades' 60th anniversary festivities, a skills competition and an all-star match opposing Mario Plourde's and Alain Lemaire's teams were exceptionally held.
from Cascades
Two outdoor days at Mont Gleason
During the month of February, two ski days at Mont Gleason were organized to encourage employees to get active while enjoying the joys of winter. Both Cascades employees and ski amateurs were welcome at our kiosk at the foot of the mountain to enjoy a cozy moment by the fire.
from Cascades
Cascades, proud partner of Mission 1000 tonnes
Cascades is proud to support the Mission 1000 tonnes ambassador program; a unique network of motivated volunteers based mainly in Canada, but also present elsewhere in the world. These volunteers devote their time to spreading the word about the Mission and conducting chores to keep our rivers, lakes, shores, banks, parks and green spaces free of waste.
from Cascades
Inauguration of Cascades clothing thrift store
For 36 years now, employees have been able to shop, with an allotted budget, at the Cascaderie, a store selling clothing and promotional items with the company's image. While the exchange of clothing and embroidered items used to take place informally between colleagues, it is now possible on a larger scale thanks to the Cas-Friperie, where employees are encouraged to leave a donation in exchange for their find to finance two of our causes, the Charles-Bruneau Foundation and Centraide.
from Cascades
Launch of a 5ᵗʰ cohort of The Go Effect
This program, destined for all employees, aims to better integrate physical activity into their lifestyle habits. The volunteers, grouped in teams of seven, will activate themselves for nine weeks with the aim of taking 7,000 steps daily, either by walking or through any other physical activity. This year, over 1,500 people are taking part in The Go Effect - a record number!
from Cascades
Together, we celebrate our successes.
Together, we celebrate on March 26!
On March 26, 2024, thousands of Cascaders came together to celebrate 60 years of Cascades. All our units across North America celebrated this memorable day, thanks to the ambassadors who organized various activities for the occasion.
Challenge 60: Employee families come together for a cause
Cascades has a 60-year history thanks to the loyalty and dedication of the thousands of Cascaders who have poured their hearts and souls into this ambitious project. Cascades is as much a story of three brothers as it is a story of countless other families from near and far who, for generations, have enabled it to thrive.
Challenge 60: Best of
Challenge 60 is a mini-series in which three employee families complete three 60-second challenges, one related to history and two others related to Cascades products and sustainability. Their goal: work together to raise money for a cause of their choice, reflecting Cascades’ ongoing involvement in the communities in which it operates.
The Scali Family
The Scali family includes Crystal and Nicholas Scali (son), and Crystal Boardwick (daughter). Together, they’re representing the United States.
Cause supported: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The Dion family
The Dion family includes Nicolas, Eric (brother), Pierre-Luc (brother) and Olivier Dion (cousin), as well as Mélanie Lamothe (sister-in-law) and Martin Champagne (uncle). They’re representing Québec, especially the Kingsey Falls area.
Cause supported: Heart and Stroke Foundation of the Canada
The Darocha family
The Darocha family includes Lucio, Paul (brother) and Christopher Darocha (nephew), as well as Andrew Dicceco (nephew). Representing Ontario, they have nearly 57 years of combined experience with Cascades.
Cause supported: The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Together, we respect your true nature.
For now 60 years, we've been giving our Cascaders the chance to be themselves. Respecting their true nature gives them the opportunity to let their very best shine through. To offer them a place to evolve and be dedicated. To work in a stable environment rich in human experiences.
Benoit Vallières
Fleet Optimization Analyst
"For me, Cascades is the team spirit and family spirit I have with my colleagues. I'm pushed to give 110%. My efforts are recognized by my peers and management. So I'm more than happy to get involved as an ambassador for the 60th anniversary."
Erin Burt
Production Supervisor
"I started with Cascades more than three years ago and it has been a pleasure. Cascades has a real sense of family which is something that I love about the company. To me, recycling isn’t just a job, but also it’s a way of life. At the Edmonton sorting centre, we're very excited to be celebrating Cascades' 60th anniversary and to be part of this great milestone."
Youssef Abou
Electromechanic
"I'm getting involved as an ambassador for my unit to discover and learn more about Cascades culture, which I'm proud to be part of. It's also an opportunity for me to integrate into the community and put to good use my experience in the associative, cultural and artistic sectors that I lived in Morocco."
Marigrace Almario
HR Manager
"Cascades is more than a workplace. It is a community that nurtures growth, respect, and trust. A community that fosters sense of belonginess, well-being and can still have fun. By getting involved as an ambassador for the 60th anniversary, I want to ensure my plant’s engagement and participation to this Cascades’ milestone celebration."
Follow us on our social media channels to stay up-to-date on all the festivities and achievements surrounding our 60th anniversary.