Page 18 - D12771 - LBMAO - Jan-Feb-2018 - REPORTER - web

"You tell us what meat cutters, welders, horse groomers
and hot tub installers have in common!"
outages during this catastrophic event.
Expansion into eastern Canada and
Ontario, with members as far away as
Windsor, demonstrated that the Groupe
BMR program was truly a national player.
As well, being recognized by the industry
as the newsmaker of the year from
Hardware Merchandising in 2003-04 and
other peer recognition solidified their
position within the home improvement/
hardware sector. In 2008 the group also
strengthened their position within the
hardware sector by introducing BMR
Hardware, which helped to strengthen
their position in the Montreal area.
With all the growth and expansion
happening for the group, the future
only looked positive until fire struck the
distribution warehouse in July of 2005.
Foresight by the IT team helped mitigate
the damage to their data by ensuring their
servers and other sensitive equipment
were adequately protected. As well,
management, employees, suppliers and
dealers spent countless hours moving
inventory, offices and support services to
help reduce the impact on the distribution
of product to their members - a true team
effort that helped demonstrate that they
had the fortitude and perseverance to
overcome this tragedy and move forward.
If 2017 was an omen for the future
of BMR, it is clear that it looks bright. In
recent years, a wave of change has swept
through the group and its stores, which
has completely redesigned the image of
the company. They chose Hugo Girard as
ambassador; created the stores Agrizone;
taken the digital turn; strengthened the
commitment in the community; and, of
course, have entered the big family of La
Coop fédérée. Supported by one of the
most important organizations in Quebec,
named Company of the Year in 2017 by
the Québec Federation of Chambers of
Commerce and composed of a network
of merchants and employees united
by the same desire to serve their best
Community, Groupe BMR definitely seems
to be on the right track.
This flagship of Quebec is only at the
beginning of its history and, thanks to
the fabulous growth potential offered by
its union with La Coop fédérée, it will be
interesting to see what the next 50 years
brings to this group!

Pictured from top: Groupe BMR employees in
2017; Fundraising for Opération Enfant Soleil
by La Coop Seigneurie; Hugo Girard, BMR
Ambassador
18 LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2018 www.lbmao.on.ca