Fericar is on a roll!
Fericar Inc. specializes in the design, manufacture and maintenance of trailers and semi-trailers of all kinds, as well as dump trucks; in other words, awesome life-size toys for oversized playgrounds!
The company was founded in 1985 by Fernand Jean, Richard Tremblay and Carlos Morichelli, who lent their names to the anagram Fericar. The three associates were fellow workers in an Alma-based trailer manufacturing firm. After the latter’s bankruptcy, they decided to go into business themselves and to continue manufacturing trailers, an area in which they had earned their stripes.
Following the trail less travelled:
In early 2010, Canada Economic Development granted major funding to the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, a large portion of which was to go to renewing the Nature Trail Park’s fleet of trailer trains. What does this have to do with our story? Fericar landed the contract to manufacture the cars and dress up the inner workings of the famous little train. With this foray into the world of tourism, Fericar added another feather to its cap and gave itself a wonderful showcase.
From the start, the entrepreneurs manufactured wood chip and log hauling platforms and semi-trailers and offered companies their expertise in transportation equipment needs analysis, guidance and technical support.
From its first home in Alma, the company relocated to Chambord in 1988. The move allowed it to triple the size of its plant. The following year, management decided to specialize in the making of chip hauling trailers. This specialization enabled them to provide a higher quality product and better after-sales service.
From 1988 to 1998, the company flourished. The number of its employees doubled and the number of trailers manufactured annually went from 35 to 60. The excellent reputation of Fericar’s trailers soon spread and its client base grew province-wide.
Trials and tribulations
The year 2000 marked a crucial turning point. As current Fericar director Sabin Jean explained, “My father, Fernand Jean, found himself alone at the helm. A major restructuring was in order. My father quickly surrounded himself with a new management team, of which I was a part. Mind you, I had already been working with the company since 1988.”
In 2001, Fericar doubled the size of its plant to make room for the manufacture of a new generation of trailers made in aluminium.
Over time, the enterprise has constantly modernized, innovated and fine-tuned its tools and work methods. It boasts a large research and development department and state-of-the-art manufacturing management software.
“Today, we have two full-time engineers and four full-time design technicians. Our product line has never been so varied and keeps on growing. We are proof positive that diversification is the key to success! At Fericar, eventually, slowly but surely, we will be manufacturing all trailer models,”said a delighted Mr. Jean.
2007 brought its share of problems. It was the start of the forestry crisis. This ongoing situation obliged the company to consider several potential projects¿often outside of its purview¿to keep itself going. Despite the economic downturn, it finally decided to develop and manufacture all trailer models, a move that required quickly setting up a competent engineering team.
That same year, Fericar approached Canada Economic Development for funding to help it diversify, and thus be less dependent on the forest industry. Thanks to this partnership, Fericar was able to add new giant toys to its collection, notably in the areas of the environment and construction. This branching-out allowed the company to reposition itself and reduce the impact of the forestry crisis.
“ On the road again ”
In December 2010, Fericar approached the Agency a second time, for a project to upgrade its production line. In diversifying its products, Fericar also had to expand its facilities, acquire specialized equipment and change some of its ways of doing business, all with the goal of optimizing productivity. This contribution will enable the company to see very far ahead.
The road behind, and the road ahead
“When I look back and see everything my team has done to adjust to this crisis, I realize that today, we are stronger and more present than ever in various areas of transportation. And so, yes! I’m very proud!”
Sabin Jean concluded.
The next time you pass a semi-trailer truck, look for the Fericar logo. And take pride in the fact that you are sharing the road with a Quebec enterprise that’s come a very long way!
For more about the company: http://www.fericar.com/ (in French only)
