Groupe Lou-Tec, one of Canada’s largest equipment rental companies and one of the largest in the province of Québec, has acquired aerial equipment rental specialist Accès Location +. The acquisition consolidates Lou-Tec’s position as the Québec leader in the heavy machinery, tools and specialized equipment rental industry, the company said.
Lou-Tec’s customers are primarily contractors working in the industrial, commercial and residential construction sectors. With the acquisition, Lou-Tec adds an impressive fleet of aerial equipment and a wide range of complementary equipment.
Both companies have excellent reputations and strong sales forces. By leveraging their combined expertise, services and offerings and joining sales forces, they will add to their customers’ options.
Lou-Tec will now have one of the largest fleets of aerial lift equipment in Canada. With an average age of four years, its aerial fleet is the youngest in Québec, the company said. Lou-Tec’s network of 28 locations, including the opening of a new site in Drummondville in the coming weeks, will enable rapid delivery to jobsites throughout Québec. This regional presence allows for quick responses to urgent requests thanks to inventory being available at multiple branches.
Lou-Tec will be able to count on its financial partners, including Sagard Private Equity Canada, Walter Capital, Investissement Québec, BDC Capital, and Fonds de solidarité FTQ to support its growth. These partnerships will allow Lou-Tec to continue its growth, particularly in terms of technology and expansion into new markets.
The acquisition was completed June 17.
Jean-Marc Dallaire will continue as president and CEO of Lou-Tec, while Luc Bertrand, president of Accès Location +, will join Lou-Tec’s executive committee and will now hold the position of vice president, development, strategies and marketing for Lou-Tec.
Lou-Tec consolidates its strength in Québec
“With the support of our financial partners, today we can consolidate our position as a Québec leader in the industry and we are taking an important step towards achieving our vision of becoming a major player across the country by 2030,” said Jean-Marc Dallaire, president and CEO of Lou-Tec. “The acquisition of Accès Location+ allows us to bring together passionate people who are committed to meeting our customers’ most demanding requirements and who are proud to share their expertise and know-how.”
“We are turning an important chapter in the history of Accès Location+ and it is a privilege to join Lou-Tec, a Québec-based company that works with the same rigor and concern for providing the quality service our customers have come to expect,” said Luc Bertrand, president, Accès Location+. “Together and thanks to our common values, we will be stronger in fulfilling the company’s vision and developing our market share in Québec and Canada.”
“We are very pleased to support this transformative acquisition for our portfolio company, Lou-Tec, along with our partners, Walter Capital, Investissement Québec, BDC Capital and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ,” added Marie-Claude Boisvert, chairwoman of the board of directors, Lou-Tec, and partner and head of Sagard Private Equity Canada. “We are proud to support the Lou-Tec team in its growth plans and are delighted to welcome the Accès Location+ team. We are convinced that the union of these two outstanding companies will be beneficial to the employees, customers and suppliers of of Accès Location and Lou-Tec.”
Groupe Lou-Tec was founded in 1979. Based in Anjou, Québec, the company is No. 22 on the RER 100. Accès Location+ was founded 18 years ago and has points of service on the South Shore and the North Shore of Montreal and in the greater Capitale-Nationale region. It has been honored for four years in a row as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. The company is No. 75 on the RER 100.
