Despite battling refrigeration giants such as Lennox, RefPlus still manages to hold its own. The company of more than 300 employees stands out in the market by offering products tailored to the needs of each customer.
“We sell through wholesalers. So we have a whole distribution network that allows us to reach refrigeration contractors, who in turn sell our products to grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, laboratories and food processing plants,” explains Mathieu Cardinal.
This approach seems to be bearing fruit. RefPlus is experiencing sustained growth of at least 10% per year. These numbers have held up even during the pandemic.
Like all business leaders, Mathieu Cardinal must juggle many challenges. Attracting top talent as labor shortages persist is one of them. Meet the demanding regulations of its industry too.
“Government agencies that set the rules don’t always take into account the limitations a small manufacturer may have. You have to struggle in a system that is not easy,” he laments. According to him, multinationals can count on large teams to carry out tests and adapt. The same cannot be said for an SME.
The next few years promise to be busy for the company. After opening a factory in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville at the end of 2021, Mathieu Cardinal intends to double his production by adding an evening shift. About fifty employees will join the ranks of the company to carry out this plan.
Founded in 1994, the company is a finalist in the Les Mercuriades 2023 competition in the Contribution to economic and regional development category. According to Mathieu Cardinal, this nomination is explained by the fact that RefPlus is “the most successful company in the region”. Quite simply.
“In this time when we talk a lot about decarbonization, we offer refrigeration products that are not only hyper-efficient, but also eco-responsible,” he adds.
The boss also points out that the opening of three factories in recent years, including two in Boucherville, has made it possible to hire many workers from the region.
“We also participate in local economic development by getting involved in causes. For example, employees volunteer with La Mosaïque, whose mission is to strengthen the social fabric of the Longueuil agglomeration.
Mathieu Cardinal recalls that refrigerants have long been polluting due to the gases used (such as freon), which were very bad for the ozone layer. “At RefPlus, we have developed natural refrigerants, which have almost no impact on global warming. »
Within five years, the company wants to become nothing less than the leader in innovative and eco-responsible refrigeration.
