Cascades

In 1964, long before 'sustainability' was a buzzword, the Lemaire family had a vision. Father Antonio, along with his sons Bernard and Laurent, acquired an abandoned paper mill in Kingsey Falls, Quebec. Their plan was unconventional for the time: to manufacture paper from recycled fibres, a stark contrast to the industry's reliance on virgin pulp. This was the beginning of Papier Cascades Inc., built on a foundation of recovery and reuse. The company's growth was fueled by a distinct strategy: acquiring and revitalizing struggling mills. This approach allowed for rapid expansion, and from 1972 to 1977, the company diversified into tissue paper and packaging. The family's belief in their model was unwavering, and they expanded their operational footprint, starting with a containerboard plant in Cabano, Quebec, in 1976. A pivotal moment arrived in December 1982, when Cascades made its initial public offering, listing on the Montreal Stock Exchange the following year. This infusion of public capital accelerated their expansion. In 1983, the company crossed the border into the United States and by 1985, it had entered the European market. Throughout its history, Cascades has continued to grow through strategic acquisitions, such as entering a joint venture with Domtar in 1997 and acquiring Orchids Paper Products in 2019, while also divesting assets to focus on its core businesses of packaging and tissue products.