1966
First contract: expansion of the elementary school in St. Bernard, QC
60 years of success
Pomerleau’s history is, first and foremost, one of strong family values and a solid work ethic, infused with an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s a story of growth and evolution, propelling this little company from Beauce, QC, into the coast-to-coast business it has become.
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 started growing fast and established its reputation as a seasoned construction company. Throughout the decade, Pomerleau became one of the two largest builders of regional shopping centres in Quebec using the design-build delivery method.
The company even took its expertise to Newfoundland. Pomerleau began building regional administrative centres for Hydro-Québec under the design-build-lease formula, a precursor to the current public-private partnership. Pomerleau diversified as it grew, and focused on vertical integration, creating companies to complete its offering.
1978
First design-build-lease contract: Hydro-Québec administration and services centre in Montmagny, QC
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.
1983
First major project in civil engineering: 75,000 m3 of concrete is poured in five months at the Reynolds smelter in Baie-Comeau
1989
Wins contract for the construction of Montreal’s tallest building: The 56-storey Le 1000 de la Gauchetière
1990 – Second generation
This was the decade when Hervé’s sons, Pierre and Francis, both of them with 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.
1995
Prestigious project management contract for the construction of the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Hull, QC, completed in only 12 months
1995
Pomerleau forms its first board of directors consisting of the president, several vice presidents, and three external advisors
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.
2004
First major design-build contract in the Atlantic region for Halifax Harbour Solutions (three rainwater and wastewater treatment plants)
2006
Creation of Borea Construction, a Pomerleau's subsidiary and Canadian leader in renewable energy construction
2010 – Blazing the Innovation Trail
Pomerleau continued on 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 bolstered worksite health and safety efforts by investing in a corporate-wide training and awareness program.
2011
Construction of the prestigious Centre for Sustainable Development in Montreal, the first building in Canada to obtain LEED® Platinum certification
2012
Begins using BIM on its projects and winning its first major project in Toronto, the TTC Leslie Barns project
2018
Investment from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
2019
P3 project in Atlantic Canada: Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor long-term care facilities (NL)
2019
Creation of Pomerleau’s training centre and its ecosystem: PX3
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, excels in virtual design and construction (VDC), and is a pioneer 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.
2020
First company in the world to have a robot dog on its worksites
2020
Launch of the Committed Contractor initiative to fight the COVID-19 pandemic