About Us
Fontaine, a family business since 1957
We have been transforming wood for more than 65 years. We have kept improving and modernizing our installations. Working in our plants today compares in no way to what it used to be. We now produce within less than a week what our founder produced in one year.
The beginnings
Alfred Fontaine began working in the forest industry in 1947 but the company was incorporated in 1957. At first, the company would produce 3 million BFM a year.
Relocation
In 1962, Fontaine closed the plant in Lawrenceville and relocated to Woburn in the Eastern Townships.
Making room for the second generation
Jean-Paul Fontaine, Alfred’s son, started working for the family business.
A difficult year before building anew
1968 was a terrible year as fire struck three times. In March, the mill’s sorting table was totally destroyed. A month later, the planer mill burned and in October, fire struck the mill. But the year after, the Fontaine family members rolled up their sleeves still and engaged in building the plant and making it bigger.
The second generation is now in command
Jean-Paul is now the new owner of Fontaine Sawmill.
Incorporation/Stratton Lumber inc is open for business
The Fontaine family pairs up with the Brochu family and creates Stratton Lumber in the state of Maine. The Stratton plant is located between 50 to 60 km from the Woburn plant.
Modernization
The first dryer is being built and is ready for operation at the Woburn plant.
Modernization
We added a new sawing line, an automatic sorter and we modified the edger at the Woburn plant.
Making room for a specialized team in charge of wood procurement
Timber Resource Group (TRG) is launched. The new company will ensure all plants are perfectly supplied with all they need.
Making room for the third generation
Nicolas Fontaine started working for the family business.
Consolidation
The Fontaine family has become the unique shareholder of the Stratton plant.
Modernization
Overall modernization of the Stratton lumber mill.
Modernization
Money is being invested to upgrade the Stratton wood edger.
Adding new equipment
Purchasing a boiler and a second dryer for the Woburn plant.
Modernization
We had a GradExpert automatic grader at planer mill installed at the Stratton plant.
Adding equipment
Installation of a continuous dry kiln in Stratton. This new equipment is the first to be installed in the USA northeastern states.
Modernization
Upgrading the sawmill production equipment (Twin/CPG/Edger) in Woburn.
Adding equipment and modernization
Canter, profiler and gang
Adding equipment and modernization
Adding a continuous dryer and replacing the debarker in Woburn.
Ownership
In April 2023, Fontaine bought the Moose River plant from the Brochu family.
A Few Numbers
Employees (in two countries)
Fontaine has been existing for so many years
Fontaine Lumber sarted in 1957.
Transformation plants
St-Augustin-de-Woburn in Canada. Stratton and Moose River in the state of Maine.
Career opportunities
Come and work for Fontaine
We have been transforming wood for more than 65 years. Constant transformation and upgrading have made working in our sawmills nowadays quite different from what it used to be.
Location
Find us
Production
Administration
Production
Administration
Production
Administration
Lac-Mégantic
5550 rue Frontenac, bureau 250
Lac-Mégantic, Québec G6B 1H5
Canada