60 Years of Success

1960 – The Beginning

In 1964, Hervé Pomerleau, an entrepreneur at heart, went into business with five employees. Two years later, he founded his company, Hervé Pomerleau Inc.

1970 – Growth

In 1970, Pomerleau began its rapid growth and built its reputation as a seasoned construction company. During that decade, Pomerleau positioned itself as one of the two largest builders of regional shopping centers in Quebec using the design-build method. Pomerleau's expertise extended to Newfoundland, where the company undertook the construction of a shopping center using the design-build approach.

As it grew, Pomerleau diversified and focused on vertical integration by creating complementary businesses to strengthen its overall offering.

1973 – First Subsidiary

Pomerleau establishes its first subsidiary: Ciments et Tuiles de Beauc inc. It specializes in wall and floor coverings: vinyl, ceramic, granite and marble. Furthermore, in 1977, Ébénisterie Beaubois ltée was created. It specializes in architectural woodworking and built-in furniture.

1980 – New Offices in Quebec

In 1980, the construction market was booming. For Pomerleau, this led to the opening of two offices: Montreal in 1980 and Quebec City in 1988. The acquisition of several companies secured Pomerleau’s leadership position in the province. 

Major contracts followed throughout the decade and by 1986, Pomerleau was ranked the #1 general contractor in Quebec, a position it holds to this day.

1985 – Syrup Tradition

For the first time, Pomerleau orders a few bottles of maple syrup and maple sweets for its clients. Slowly, the amount of syrup the company ordered increased to gallons, and the annual syrup gift to employees, clients and business partners became a tradition within Pomerleau’s extended family.

1990 – Second Generation

This was the decade when Hervé’s sons, Pierre, and Francis, who both have engineering degrees and MBAs, took the wheel. 

Wanting to ensure strong governance, Pomerleau created a board of directors consisting of seasoned internal and external leaders with different backgrounds.

First construction management projects and new contractual formulas: project management, engineering construction were instated. The company-client relationship changed, becoming a true partnership.

1992 – Opening of Ottawa Office

An office in the nation's capital is established. The following year, the company obtained major contracts, notably the construction of the structure of the new National Archives of Canada building and the renovation of the Château Laurier, a prestigious hotel in Ottawa.

1996- 1000^th Contract

Pomerleau is awarded its 1,000th contract: the Saint-Nicolas wastewater treatment plant.

1997- Change in Leadership

Pierre Pomerleau becomes the president of Pomerleau Inc.

2000 – Building on Core Competencies

Pomerleau started the new millennium with the wind in its sails. At this time, the business experienced solid growth resulting from expanded geographic markets and new expertise. Pomerleau undertook, alone or in partnership, large-scale projects in Quebec and elsewhere. 

By the end of the decade, Pomerleau was carrying out projects in six provinces.

2010 – Blazing the Innovation Trail

Pomerleau continued its path of expansion by opening the Toronto (ON), St. John’s (NL), Calgary (AB) and Vancouver (BC) offices and acquiring five companies.

Pomerleau commits to the technology revolution. The company bolsters worksite health and safety efforts by investing in a corporate-wide training and awareness programs.

2016 - Acquisition of Giffels Westpro

Pomerleau acquired Giffels Westpro to enter new markets in central and Western Canada.

2017 - New Vision and Values

Rethinking construction together from idea to completion. Everywhere. At all times. The company is guided by five values: authenticity, excellence, adaptability, innovation and love.

2018 - $50 Million Dollar Investment from CDPQ

Investment from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

2018 - Creation of Apex

The Alternative Projects Centre of Expertise (APEX) brings together diverse specialists to provide clients with competitive, high-quality proposals for extremely complex, multidisciplinary projects.

2018 - Pomerleau Capital

Pomerleau establishes Pomerleau Capital, a private infrastructure investment and financing subsidiary that specializes in deal sourcing, project financing, capital raising, equity investments, and asset management.

2019 – Creation of the Environment and Sustainable Development Department

The department is tasked with defining the company’s environmental commitments and objectives.

2020 – Solid and Dynamic all Across Canada

Pomerleau is active from coast to coast and is a leader in the construction industry. The company is among the top five contractors in Canada, exceling in virtual design and construction (VDC), and is a pioneer constructing in sustainable buildings. 

The business employs up to 4,000 people at its eight regional offices and operates close to 200 worksites across the country.  It was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the first time.

2020 - Cape Breton Regional Hospital

Pomerleau is hired as the construction manager alongside Lindsay Construction to expand the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. The project will see constructed a 96,000, two-and-a-half-storey new cancer centre and a 320,000-square-foot eight-storey clinical services building that will include surgical suites, inpatient beds, emergency and critical care services.

2020 – Environmental and Sustainable Development Policy

Pomerleau adopts a new Environment and Sustainable Development policy that includes eight major environmental protection and sustainable development commitments.

2021 – Borea Opens its First Office in the United States

The sustainable construction subsidiary opens an office in Plano, Texas, in order to penetrate the American market in renewable energy construction.

2021– Pomerleau Partners with National Capital Commission

The National Capital Commission (NCC) selects Pomerleau as its construction manager and partner of choice for all project planning, development, construction, and delivery of their Program of Work, fulfilling its stewardship role across the National Capital Region. With a two-year budget projection of $100 million, Pomerleau will develop and repair the NCC’s real estate portfolios, pathways, bridges, parks, official residences, and other buildings.

2021– First Whitepaper on BIM

Pomerleau publishes its first whitepaper, Better (re) build together, which highlights the great potential of BIM/VDC in facilities once a project has been delivered.

2021- Pomerleau and Nature Conservancy of Canada Partnership

Pomerleau and the Nature Conservancy of Canada announce a five-year partnership valued at $250,000. It is the company’s first significant donation to an environmental cause.

2022 - ISO 19650 BIM

Pomerleau becomes one of the first general contractors in North America to validate the international standard ISO 19650, which ensures all projects adopt a fully collaborative and consistent BIM process throughout their entirety.

2022- PCAP Infrastructure and Renewables Fund

Pomerleau Capital announces the launch of the PCap Infrastructure & Renewables Fund to supplement its existing work in the financing of infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

2022- $150 Million Investment from CDPQ

CDPQ invests an additional $150 million in Pomerleau. Since CDPQ’s initial $50 million investment in 2018, Pomerleau has more than doubled its revenues from $1.8 billion to $4 billion, and more than tripled its order backlog from $3.5 billion to $11 billion.

2022- ISO 14001:2015

Pomerleau becomes IS0 14001:2015 certified, through the certification of its environmental management system.

2023- Commitment to the Government of Canada's Net Zero Challenge

In 2023, Pomerleau took a key step in its sustainability journey by joining the Government of Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge, reinforcing its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Its approach focuses on construction-related emissions across its value chain, prioritizing the operational sources that account for over 95% of its indirect emissions.