1965- First Contract
First contract: expansion of an 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 to build a shopping centre in design-build mode. Pomerleau also 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.
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.
1977– Beaubois
Ébénisterie Beaubois ltée is created. It specializes in architectural woodworking and built-in furniture.
1978- New Ways of Building
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- Civil Engineering
First major project in civil engineering: 75,000 m3 of concrete is poured in five months at the Reynolds smelter in Baie-Comeau.
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.
1989- Making its Mark
Pomerleau 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, 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.
1990– Opening of Ottawa Office
An office in the nation's capital is established.
1995- Expanding Expertise
Prestigious project management contract for the construction of the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Hull, QC, completed in only 12 months.
1995- Board of Directors
Pomerleau forms its first board of directors consisting of the president, several vice presidents, and three external advisors.
1996- 1000th 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.
2003– The East Coast
The company expands and opens an office in Halifax.
2004- Reaching the East Coast
First major design-build contract in the Atlantic region for Halifax Harbour Solutions (three rainwater and wastewater treatment plants).
2004- Borea Construction
Creation of Borea Construction, a Pomerleau's subsidiary and Canadian leader in renewable energy construction.
2009 and 2010– Pomerleau Challenges
The first two Pomerleau Challenges occur. The challenges are designed to promote collaboration employee well-being. Employees climb Mt. Washington and cycle from Ottawa to Halifax.
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.
2011- A Record for the Environment
Construction of the prestigious Centre for Sustainable Development in Montreal, the first building in Canada to obtain LEED® Platinum certification.
2012- BIM
Pomerleau begins using BIM on its projects and wins its first major project in Toronto, the TTC Leslie Barns project.
2014- Third Pomerleau Challenge
Participants ran from Montreal to New York City after training for eleven months.
2015- Acquisition of Giffels Westpro
Pomerleau acquired Giffels Westpro to enter new markets in central and Western Canada.
2016- Pomerleau's 50th Anniversary
Pomerleau celebrates the 50 years of hard work and perseverance that led to its growth and success.
2017- Multi-Sports Challenge in the Saguenay Fjord National Park
322 participants from offices across Canada participated in a 23 km hike, a 200 m Via Ferrata circuit, a 6km raft paddle and a 5-km obstacle course.
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- Public Private Partnership (P3) Project
P3 project in Atlantic Canada: Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor long-term care facilities (NL).
2019- PX3 -Dedicated Training Centre
Creation of Pomerleau’s training centre and its ecosystem: PX.3.
2019– Creation of the Environment and Sustainable Development Department
The department is tasked with defining the company’s environmental commitments and objectives.
2019- CFB Esquimalt-Jetty B Rehabilitation
Pomerleau initiates major marine works project that requires the company to employ a team of specialized divers to do temporary structure work, formwork and concrete repairs underwater.
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- Spot's First Steps on a Construction Worksite
First company in the world to have a robot dog on its worksites.
2020- Collaboration During COVID-19
Launch of the Committed Contractor initiative to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020– Creation of FOX to Improve Productivity
Pomerleau launches the Foundation for Operation Excellence (FOX), a program aimed at operationalizing change management at Pomerleau and optimizing operational processes. More than 120 employees are now involved in the development of new tools and processes, which benefit site teams, partners, and clients.
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.
2020– Virtual Challenge
The pandemic didn’t stop employees from getting together (virtually) and competing. They engaged in physical activity to collectively accumulate the 7,289 kilometres that separate the company’s project sites from Victoria to St. John’s.
2021– Borea Opens its First Office in the United States
The sustainable construction subsidiary opens an office in Texas.
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- AXLAB- Innovation Acceleration Lab for R&D
Partnering with The Factry, Canada’s first centre that specializes in developing creative skills, Pomerleau creates, aXLab, an innovation lab dedicated to integrating innovative technology within the construction industry.
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.
2021- Deconstruction of the Champlain Bridge
Pomerleau begins work on the deconstruction of the Champlain Bridge. The company is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the bridge during the deconstruction phase to ensure the public’s safety.
2021- CHUM Phase 2
The second and final phase of the CHUM is constructed in design-build mode.
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- DEI
Pomerleau adopts a statement that will serve as the foundation for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative.
2022- Jean-R.-Marcotte
Pomerleau begins work on the Jean-R. Maroctte water treatment station to build the world’s largest ozonation unit.
2022- Perspective
Launch of the company’s first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report and platform, Perspective. The report includes six priorities intended to achieve several ESG targets and promote sustainability in the construction industry.
2022- Acquisition of ITC Construction
The company performs its largest acquisition in its history. Together, Pomerleau and the residential builder, ITC Construction, will bring sustainable and innovative solutions to the Canadian residential sector.
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.
2022 - Top Employer
Pomerleau is named one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People for the first time. The company is recognized for its initiatives to better support youth in the early stages of their careers and provide an exciting work environment to retain them. The company is also named Montreal’s Top Employer and Canada’s Top Employer for a third consecutive year. It also earns the title of one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte.
2023- Launch of Pom Lounge
The Pom Lounge, a new workspace dedicated to collaboration, opens in Pomerleau’s Montreal office.
2023 - Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital
Pomerleau is awarded the contract. The company will work with the Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO). The hospital will cover 132 340m2 of floor space over two wings.
2023- A Transition in Leadership
After more than 25 years of leading the company, Pierre, and Francis, withdraw from their operational roles, while continuing to remain active members on the Board of Directors. Philippe Adam is appointed as Pomerleau’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
2023 - University of Toronto Scarborough Project
One of Canada’s most eco-efficient buildings is near completion. The student residence is being constructed to the Passive House high-performance building standard and features many low-energy design elements.
2023- Integrated Report
Following the launch of the ESG report in 2022, Pomerleau releases its Integrated report, a combination of its Activity and ESG reports. The report outlines how the company is putting its ESG strategy into action.
2023 - NAIG
Pomerleau sponsors the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) for the first time. The company presents the 19U basketball competition and donates equipment to help facilitate the games.
2023- The REM
The first portion of the Réseau Express Métropolitan (REM) light rail system is completed. Pomerleau executed this project as a member of the NouvLR consortium, which included SNC-Lavalin Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Aecon Quebec Group Ltd, and EBC Inc. The REM is an electric and fully automated light rail transit network designed to facilitate mobility across the Greater Montreal Region. It is the largest mass transit project in Québec in the last 50 years, with its 67 kilometers of tracks and 26 stations.
2023- Pomerleau Challenge
The company hosts its largest Challenge yet with over 500 participants and 80 volunteers. The Survivor themed event raised over $122,000 for Tree Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
2023- Philippe Adam Becomes Pomerleau's President and CEO
On August 7th, 2023, Philippe Adam assumes the position of President and CEO of Pomerleau.