Some people may not know what goes on inside Jean-Guy Perreault’s manufacturing shop in Earlton. They still might not know if they discovered that Fabrithane makes polyurethane products such as slide rails, stinger pads, skirting, vortex finders, salt spinners, press bumpers and apex liners.
“We have been here a long time and a lot of people still don’t know what we do,” said Perreault.
He started Fabrithane in 2003 and it manufactures casted polyurethane wear parts, mostly for the mining industry.
“When I started working back in 1972 with urethane products, we didn’t have many varieties. Now there are about 50 different materials we can use and there are many more applications,” he said. “The products can be as hard as rock or soft as gum. You just have to formulate it the way you want.”
His latest business was another kick at the can after leaving the industry and a company that he began in the early 1980s in Sudbury and moved a year later to Earlton.
“I moved here to be central to North Bay, Timmins, Rouyn and Sudbury,” said Perreault. After stepping away, he was unsure of what he wanted to do next and felt his lack of formal education wouldn’t open many doors.
But, he did have more than 40 years of experience with polyurethanes, starting with a company in Sudbury when he was 16. He also had many contacts and repeat customers who were bemoaning his absence from the industry.
“Customers wanted me back so I climbed the ladder once again,” said Perreault. “I am known in the business and I know polyurethanes in and out and which ones to use for what application. I never had any complaints of my products wearing out because I really pay attention to the quality.”
When Fabrithane started in 2003, he had one employee. Currently he has four, and his wife Monique works in the office. Two of his sons, Marc and Dan, are learning the business.
“I hope they take over the business if I ever decide to retire or semi-retire,” he said. “But I love what I do so this is my retirement and vacation. In 2005, the business was growing too fast for me so I wanted to hire someone who could take over. I am glad they came on board.”
About 95 per cent of what Fabrithane manufactures is sold to the mining industry. Perreault has direct customers and he also utilizes some distributors.
His products can be found in Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada and the United States. A distributor may carry his products to sell in Eastern Canada in the near future.
“Products are mostly custom made but some products for flotation are just standard replacement parts,” said Perreault. “A lot of customers send us drawings, or a product to copy and replace. We then make a mold. If it is a drawing, we have to make a master, which is a pattern, and then a mold so that is an extra step and added cost.
“If volume is involved or there will be repeat business, we don’t charge for the molds and customers like us for that.”
Perreault has an in-house secret method to make molds, due to his years of experience. Once a mold is made, the company retains ownership of it.
“Even though I have a lot of experience, I am still learning. There is always a new application and a new part that has to be designed. There is always a learning curve and no one can tell me they know it all.”
Perreault keeps up by researching on the Internet but admits his shop is not up to par with all the new technology, since it is too expensive.
“We hand-cast everything since we don’t have any casting equipment. The reason for that is we have too many different materials that we cast in one day,” he said.
Each product requires a unique recipe that is formulated to get the desired firmness.
“We get a lot of calls from new customers because they are looking for quality and service, such as a quick turnaround,” said Perreault. “I am not saying we are the best, but service is a big focus for us and that is why we get repeat customers. Once they try our products, 95 per cent of the time they stay with us.”
