SCM-GL: worthy descendant of Beauce enterprises
It took almost 10 years for Ghislain Lachance, founder of SCM-GLNote 1, to develop the Snow Tracker, a steering stabilizer that fits all models of snowmobile. Mounted under the skis, this metal device increases the vehicle’s traction, improves its handling and softens the ride.
Michel Julien, photograph
Concerned with the potential dangers associated with the lack of stability and darting of snowmobiles travelling on rutted trails, Ghislain Lachance dreamed of a snowmobile that would be as stable on snow as a car on pavement. This was in 1998. Thus began a long period of testing and experimentation, a journey fraught with trial and error which led him to a final prototype in 2007. This prototype has a runner with a self-sharpening carbide blade and a corrector in an inverted “U” that leaves its own grooves in the snow. It reduces pitching and darting by 99%.
In Quebec, the snowmobile is:
- 13 regions linked together by a single network of 33,000 kilometres of marked, groomed and secure trails;
- 208 clubs;
- 4,500 volunteers under the direction of the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec, which has 90,000 individual members;
- 30% of the world snowmobile production, or some 60,000 units;
- 800,000 enthusiasts, namely, 13% of the Quebec population over the age of 15;
- 20,400 tourists from the rest of Canada and the United States
SCM-GL’s flagship product has become a craze among snowmobilers here and abroad. Faced with this happy dilemma, Mr. Lachance now needs to invest further to meet the soaring demand, while ensuring the firm’s growth in his hometown of Saint-Elzéar.
Founded in March 2001, the family business successfully managed its startup, going on to gain a solid foothold in a promising niche market where Quebec is a leader. Like J. Armand Bombardier before him, Ghislain Lachance has also changed history through revolutionary innovations in snow transport.
In line with its mandate of supporting SMEs looking to become more competitive, Canada Economic Development is proud to be a partner of SCM-GL and to support its growth efforts by awarding the firm repayable funding. The company intends to use this contribution to improve its productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of specialty equipment.
The Agency’s support of SCM-GL also benefits the region as a whole by fostering the diversification of its economy and thus reinvigorating its manufacturing industry.
Managing soaring growth presents a number of stimulating challenges. The SCM-GL team seems ready to take them up since a new project, requiring investments of nearly $1 million, is about to become reality.
A wise manager, Mr. Lachance develops and plans everything. Although not thinking of retiring, he is already planning his business succession. By all accounts, it will be a family succession because two of his children and one of his spouse’s sons are currently working with him. It would not come as a surprise if a third generation of the Lachance family headed the company someday, for in the new premises, and perhaps in anticipation, Ghislain Lachance has set up a room for special visitors: his grandchildren.
Near their moms and their grandpa, who knows, they may want to follow in their footsteps.
Tenacious, visionary, ambitious and motivated – like many Beauce entrepreneurs – Ghislain Lachance spent 10 years of his life developing a product that is now in demand wherever in the world snows abounds. Hats off Mr. Lachance!
Back to note 1 : SCM stands for stabilisateur de conduite de motoneige (snowmobile steering stabilizer) and GL, for Ghislain Lachance.
