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!
Recommitment to the United Nations Global Compact
Since 2022, we have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest sustainability initiative for the business community, with thousands of signatories in over 160 countries. This year, to maintain our membership, we had to answer a questionnaire assessing our level of maturity in relation to the Compact's principles. On July 31, we were proud to submit our completed questionnaire, renewing our commitment to a sustainable future.
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A sizeable goal well exceeded
Last April, we set ourselves an ambitious challenge: to remove one pound of garbage for every gesture made during the 1000 gestes pour la nature clean-up challenge, organized by Mission 1000 tonnes and the children's magazines Les Débrouillards, Les Explorateurs and Curium. By the end of the challenge, 13,619 actions had been taken. Thanks to the participation of our Cascaders in several clean-up activities across the country, we have more than met the challenge, removing 22,514 pounds of waste from the environment to date!
from Cascades
2023 Sustainability Report
With the mission of contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the planet, Cascades is currently implementing its fourth sustainability action plan with 15 ambitious targets covering the period 2021-2025 and 2030. The year 2023 will have been a landmark year in many respects. Visit cascades.metrio.net to view our full report.
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Replacing fireworks with drones
At the Kingsey Falls family party last July, we innovated by presenting a show of 125 drones to close the day's festivities. Drone shows are a less noisy and more environmentally friendly solution than traditional fireworks displays. As drones are reused for several years, they also reduce waste and air pollution.
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Several fundraising events for the Fondation Charles-Bruneau
When a cause is dear to our hearts, our commitment knows no bounds! For the 19th year, our Cascaders have multiplied their initiatives in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising funds for the Fondation Charles-Bruneau. For our participation in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, we organized several fundraising events throughout the year, such as a toilet paper sale, a poker night and a hiking team activity at Mont-Orford which enabled us to donate $615,000!
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Reuse of ink buckets
In partnership with Société Laurentide, we have installed in their facilities a bucket washing equipment, allowing these containers used for ink color mixing to be reused rather than thrown away. Thanks to this process, we expect to be able to reuse 7,000 buckets a year, thus avoiding the landfill of nearly 103 tonnes of reusable material!
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Tree planting across Ontario
Last June, over 75 employees from CCP Guelph, Kitchener, Rexdale and Vaughan joined forces to plant over 60 native trees and plants in their respective divisions! Thanks to Jennifer Terris, who launched the pollinator garden in Guelph 3 years ago, this initiative has spread across Ontario. Her exemplary organization has introduced volunteers to planting and using corrugated products to protect trees.
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Tree planting near the Springfield plant
On June 6, 2024, fifteen staff members from our Springfield plant braved a rainy afternoon to take part in a tree-planting event in support of community sustainability. Welcomed by the city's public works team with a demonstration, the team sprang into action and successfully planted a total of 335 trees, including 200 dogwoods, 50 maples and 85 willows.
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A nature cleanup activity
Driven by the desire to leave a litter-free natural environment for future generations, 23 Cascaders joined forces on June 20 to clean up a wooded area in St-André-d'Argenteuil. Thanks to the expertise of PurNat, an organization specializing in environmental protection and the clean-up of hard-to-reach areas, a total of 7.29 tonnes of waste were removed from the site!
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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.