When Rodrigue Métal met with Canerector in September 2023, they thought they were presenting a straightforward expansion plan: upgrade two aging buildings, boost capacity, and keep building momentum.
Amanda Hawkins, Canerector’s CEO, listened, nodded… and then asked one bold question that changed everything:
“Why not bring everything under one roof?”
According to Pascal Perron, Rodrigue’s General Manager, that moment was the spark. “We were already seeing success consolidating operations, so the idea made sense immediately. But Amanda’s challenge pushed us to think much bigger.”
That challenge didn’t just lead to tweaks or renovations. It ignited a complete reinvention. One that ended with the construction of a modern 85,000-square-foot facility from scratch.
And all of it happened in less than a year… with zero downtime and under budget.
Challenge accepted, indeed.
The Limits of the Past, the Possibility of a Blank Page
Rodrigue Métal’s former facilities had history, but they also had limitations. One building had asphalt floors. Another had wooden structural components. Neither was built for heavy manufacturing, and production often had to move back and forth between buildings just to complete a job.
“We adapted as best we could,” Pascal explained, “but we had reached the limits of what those structures could give us.”
Following the initial meeting, Rodrigue searched for existing facilities that could meet their needs. Nothing came close. The idea then shifted from “find it” to “build it.”
And with that shift came a rare gift in manufacturing: a true blank-page design.
A Thirty-Minute Pitch, a Green Light, and a Mountain to Move
Once the concept was developed, Rodrigue presented the plan to Amanda and the Canerector executive team.
The approval took about thirty minutes.
“They came prepared, they came with conviction, and the vision was strong,” said Amanda.
“It was an easy yes. They were thinking practically, and they were thinking long-term.”
With the green light in hand, the real work began: demolishing the old plant, dynamiting rock to make space, and constructing a facility tailored to precision manufacturing.
And the speed? Remarkable.
Less than a year after approval, Rodrigue Métal had already moved in.
The Small-but-Mighty Team Behind the Transformation
Though the project was massive, the team that delivered it was lean, focused, and highly collaborative. Pascal’s respect for all contributors is evident. He is quick to recognize René Pelchat and the Pelco team for their competitive pricing and top-tier subcontractors, and Caroline Clément of Gestion C., whose work sharpened Rodrigue’s visual identity and ensured the new facility looked and felt as modern as the operation inside it.
But above all, Pascal highlights the strength of his internal team, especially Production Manager Martin Beaulieu-Drolet, who orchestrated a complex series of moves and reinstallations while keeping day-to-day operations running.
“It was like rebuilding the engine of a car while driving it,” Martin joked. “But the team never flinched.”
Pascal agrees.
“They adapted through every move, every shift, every disruption. This building exists because of their resilience.”
Under Budget, Over Expectations
Rodrigue didn’t just finish the project quickly; they finished it under budget. That took discipline, creativity, and a healthy dose of practicality.
The team reused equipment wherever it made sense: bridge girders, electrical transformers, and even gas boilers, subsidized years earlier by Hydro-Québec, to heat the new facility’s concrete floor.
In addition to its energy-efficient design and underground electrical service with a 1,200-amp feed, all electrical distribution runs beneath the floor slab reducing cable length, eliminating the need for bulky protective systems.
High-pressure welding fume extraction systems keep air quality exceptional while using a fraction of the airflow required by traditional setups.
And thanks to bright lighting, white walls, and a clean structural layout, the plant is far brighter than anyone predicted. The team loves it.
Some new features, notably the abundance of workstation-level lifting equipment, will take the team a little time to fully get used to.
“In our old buildings, we simply couldn’t install this kind of equipment,” Pascal explained. “There’s an adjustment period, but our employees are embracing it more every day.”
The layout is so efficient that, despite a similar footprint to before, Rodrigue foresees doubling its operations.
A Facility That Sends a Message
Founded in 1964 as a small welding and ornamental iron shop, Rodrigue Métal has grown into a respected OEM known for customized, engineered solutions for the lumber, mining, cement, and recycling industries.
This new facility signals the company’s next chapter.
“Our brand, our people, and Canerector’s support are visible everywhere,” Pascal said. “It represents who we are today, and who we are becoming.”
Rodrigue is no longer just operating efficiently. It’s operating with confidence.
What’s Next
With the facility in place, their plans for growth are ambitious. “There’s nothing stopping us, now that we have the ideal facility to make that happen,” Pascal shared.
Amanda sums it up perfectly: “This was never just about a building. It was about giving a strong team the resources they need to thrive. I love that we can make that happen.”
And for Pascal?
“I’m proud of the quality of the project and even more proud of our people and their effort in a year that tested us. Canerector placed a lot of trust in me and in our team, and delivering on that trust mattered to all of us.”
Bravo, Rodrigue. Challenge conquered.