Profile
Polycor - A leader in North America
The development of Polycor over the last 19 years has been truly remarkable. Since its inception in 1987, Polycor has grown through a series of quarry and manufacturing acquisitions and by initiating Greenfield operations. Started initially from the quarry portfolios of the Bussière and Piertal families, the Company is now a leading North American integrated quarrier, manufacturer and wholesale distributor of granite, marble and other stones. In 1989 the Company added two quarries to its initial operations. The Company's first step in stone processing occurred when it purchased the custom cut-to-size manufacturer Granite Bussière Inc. now Polycor Granite Bussière Inc., located in St-Sébastien, Québec. It further expanded its capabilities to include thick granite products such as street curbs and bridge pillars through the acquisition of Dumas et Voyer (now Polycor Granite Curbs in Rivière-à-Pierre, Québec). Granilac was acquired in 1999 which added four exclusive granites to the portfolio including the Cambrian Black.
Polycor further extended its manufacturing capabilities to floor tiles for commercial and residential construction through the acquisition of Tuiles Grani-Décor's factory (now Polycor Tiles Inc.) in St-Sébastien, Quebec. A third manufacturing complex was added to the St-Sébastien site in 2004 by introducing a Greenfield slab production facility, Polycor Slabs Inc.
2003 marks Polycor's first major entry into the soft stone marble market through the acquisition of Georgia Marble's three quarries (Georgia Stone quarries) and the manufacturing facility (Georgia Architectural) located in Tate, Georgia, a venture originally started in 1884. These white marble deposits are confirmed to be the world's largest, with proven reserves of over 3000 years at the current rate of extraction. Georgia Marble has been used in such prestigious projects as the Lincoln Monument, the United States Capitol, the New York Stock Exchange and the Alamo Cenotaph. In 2004, the Company acquired the Colorado Yule white marble quarry in Marble, Colorado. It also started the Cascapedia marble quarry in the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec and reopened the Mississquoi Marble quarry also located in Québec.
The Company's net sales have increased from 2,5 million dollars in 1988-89 to exceed more than 50 million dollars since 2005.
Europe here we come!
The Polycor group is currently evaluating sales prospects in Europe. Many trade enquiries were received at the group's stand at the Stone Tec 2005 Exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. According to the company representative based in Paris, having established a predominant position in North America, Polycor is now increasing its profile in Europe. The company has a full-time commercial representative in Europe and is evaluating partnership and acquisition opportunities following years of successful expansion in North America. Polycor is establishing a sizeable market for its premium white gold veined marbles from its own Colorado Marble quarry, which was acquired in 2004. It now has a block stockyard of this material in Carrara, Italy, which it has since complemented with a narrowly-selected range of its North American blocks and slabs. This stock includes Cambrian Black and Nordic Black granites as well as its multi-coloured Cascapedia marble, all priced competitively for the European market.
With respect to the acquisition strategy, Polycor is looking at opportunities in Europe, both in its traditional areas, granite and marble, as well as in French limestone, where it seeks to diversify its range of available products in Europe and in North America as well as expanding its commercial network.