Innovative manufacturer expands with acquisition of Cover Industries’ assets
STAFF WRITER
– Ontario Construction Report Special Feature
Canadian-owned Novatech Group has successfully manufactured steel and fibreglass entrance doors, patio doors, decorative and clear door glass, and retractable screens since 1982. The company recently announced the launch of a new Novatech Concept Glass Inc. division following the acquisition of Cover Industries’ assets.
Robert Latour, Novatech Group’s vicepresident sales, said the company began in the door glass business. “In 2002 we got into steel doors, adding a product we could provide to our existing clients.”
Latour says Novatech’s vision is to develop new markets while being recognized
for innovation and execution. With the addition of Novatech Concept Glass the company, he says, will now sell 100 per cent of the fenestration products required for a home. “On the innovation side when we’re launching new products that means we have the potential to launch at the same time for the whole house. This places us in a wholly unique position in the market.”
In 2010 the company added the Résiver Patio Doors product line.
Latour says the 2015 closing Cover created a void in the marketplace and with Novatech’s
own clients among those seeking a new, reliable supplier, the move made sense. “We had been talking about adding this product line for several years and when the opportunity came up with Cover Industries, we knew from a strategic aspect already that it added value for our clients.”
Latour says Novatech Concept Glass will begin operation in the coming weeks, blending
the best of both Novatech’s and Cover’s practices and corporate cultures. Novatech will also invest in equipment and processes to make the new plants state-of-the-art, bringing these plants to its own high standards.
The acquisition involves two plants in St-Agapit and St-Apollinaire, Quebec that focus on residential insulated glass (IG) and another in Anjou, on the island of Montreal, that is more specialized on the commercial side. “The Quebec residential IG industry is reputed for its service, as well as for high standards. From the Anjou plant we’ll be able to provide glass from 3mm to 15 mm, including custom tempered glass.”
Novatech is a large buyer of custom tempered glass itself for its patio division.
With this latest acquisition, Novatech will operate more than 675,000 sq. ft. of factory and distribution space. And, once the plant is fully operational, will employ many more than its current 500 staff.
Operating on a two-year launch cycle, Novatech’s next new launch will be in 2016.
Latour says the company will be showcasing its new line at Win.door 2015 in November.
The business, founded by Quebec entrepreneur Raymond Ouellette, is based in Ste. Julie Quebec with distribution centres in Toronto and additional manufacturing plants in Ste-Julie, St-Agapit, Beauceville and Calgary to serve the Canadian and American markets. Novatech has also expanded to include Novatech Europe, based out of France and serving the European market.
For more information, visit www.novatechgroup.com.