The company Matelas Orthopédique, located in East Broughton, entered a new phase on March 1st. After several years under the leadership of Ghislain Fortier, it was acquired by Francis Martin and Éric Goulet. This change of ownership comes after significant investments, particularly in the modernization of the factory.
Mr. Fortier acquired the company in 1998 with business partners. In 2010, he bought out their shares and continued to develop it. In 2023, he expanded the plant, increasing its size from 13,200 to 18,700 square feet (an increase of approximately 42% in floor space) and adding four state-of-the-art machines to improve working conditions and productivity. A boutique was also set up to welcome customers in modern premises.
The decision to sell wasn't easy for Mr. Fortier, but he's confident in the future. "This opportunity presented itself to me. Francis Martin contacted me and offered to buy Matelas Orthopédique with Éric Goulet. I knew right away that the company would be in good hands. I'll stay with them for at least a year to support them," he explained.
Today, the manufacturer serves customers in Quebec and Alberta and is beginning to make a name for itself in Ontario. “The investments made in 2023 allow us to focus on production, growth, and expansion into new markets,” said Martin.
“The company is in good hands. Francis and Éric are determined to take it even further, and that’s reassuring. I would also like to thank the clients who encouraged me and invite them to continue with the new team.” – Ghislain Fortier
The new owners aim to strengthen the company's presence by attracting new customers and strengthening relationships with existing ones. "We also want to encourage residents to develop the habit of coming directly to the store. We manufacture and sell mattresses here. It's more than just buying local; it's a commitment to the community," he added.
The factory is not yet operating at full capacity, but the owners plan to increase production in the coming months. “With the new automated equipment in place, our production capacity is approximately 100 mattresses per shift. If we add an evening shift, we could double this production. We hope to achieve this goal in the medium term,” they said.
The company has seven employees, two of whom are part-time. This number is expected to increase over time. “We will eventually need operators. This type of job is open to everyone, both women and men,” shared Éric Goulet.
Finally, Francis Martin and Ghislain Fortier set out to raise awareness of the company in the region. “Many people still don’t know what we do. We want to demystify the concept of orthopedic mattresses, because our products are suitable for the entire population, not just those with back problems or other limitations,” concluded Mr. Martin.