History
Our roots
Birth of the company 1923-1962
The company was founded in 1923 around one of Canada’s most abundant natural resources, sphagnum peat moss.
Our foundations 1963-1988
Sphagnum peat moss is at the heart of our past, present and future development.
Premier Tech 1989 till today
Premier Tech has expanded naturally from the various technology-oriented aspects of sphagnum peat moss exploitation. Premier Tech has been building its know-how and reputation on the expertise and synergy of its three groups – Horticulture and Agriculture, Industrial Equipment and Environmental Technologies.
Premier Peat Moss Corporation arrives in New York
The first company to commercialize and distribute sphagnum peat moss is founded in America by German peat moss producers immigrated to the United States.
Acquisition of Insulation Ltd.
By acquiring the sphagnum peat moss exploitation company, Premier Peat Moss Corporation establishes itself in l’Isle-Verte.
Acquisition of Tourbières du Saint-Laurent in
Rivière-du-Loup
Bernard Bélanger, PREMIER TECH’s current Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, acquires Tourbières du Saint-Laurent.
Creation of Tourbières Premier Ltd.
Tourbières Premier Ltd. emerges from the association of Tourbières du Saint-Laurent and Premier Peat Moss Corporation.
Creation of Premier CDN Enterprises Ltd.
The creation of Premier CDN Enterprises Ltd. officializes the incorporation of the assets of Tourbières Premier Ltd. and of the Research Center, inaugurated four years earlier.
Registration on the Montreal Stock Exchange
Following its creation, Premier CDN Enterprises Ltd. is listed on the Montreal Stock Exchange.
Creation of PREMIER TECH Ltd.
The Business Unit of Premier CDN Enterprises Ltd. now includes the engineering department of Tourbières Premier and the equipment manufacturing plant. The equipment manufactured is used to fill internal technological needs, but it is soon offered to competitors.
Registration on the Toronto Stock Exchange and name change
Premier CDN Enterprises becomes PREMIER TECH Ltd., which comprises six Business Units. The company is also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PTL.A.
Privatization of the company
Some twenty years after its registration on the Stock Exchange, PREMIER TECH decides to return to a private company status.
Dedicated to innovation, research and development
Our first innovations 1963-1978
The company innovates in the strategy of operations and distribution. Those years are characterized by the automation of production and the commercialization of the first growing medium in America.
Structuring of Innovation 1979-2001
The experience gained in the field of sphagnum peat moss allowed the company to develop its expertise and naturally direct its activities towards innovative technologies in the fields of packaging equipment, wastewater treatment systems and biotechnologies. This strategic orientation leads to the development of new processes, innovative systems and infrastructures.
Acceleration of Innovation 2002 till today
In a market that is globalizing and getting more complex, Premier Tech speeds up its efforts and invests steadily in research and development. It implements structured Innovation, Research and Development programs which help refine the company’s global offer. It commercializes many value-added product lines and first-rate technologies which are recognized worldwide.
Innovation regarding the distribution strategy
The company abandons rail transport in favour of truck shipments and thus becomes the industry’s leader thanks to its short delivery lead times.
Introduction of vacuum harvesting
This innovation allows for large-scale production at significantly reduced costs, compared to the traditional block-cutting approach.
PRO-MIX® is launched on the market
Commercialization of the first prefabricated growing medium made of sphagnum peat moss, fertilizers and aggregates in America.
Automation of the growing media production line
The company invests in the complete automation of its production line, thus decreasing costs while achieving higher quality control standards.
Opening of a Research Center in Rivière-du-Loup
Creation of the largest private research center dedicated to the development of growing media through high biotechnology processes.
Creation of an engineering department
The company sets up an engineering department whose objective is to automate bagging entirely.
Development of value-added growing media
An endomycorrhizal fungus improving the resistance and growth speed of plants is selected and studied.
Introduction of the harvesting and bagging equipment
PREMIER TECH manufactures equipment initially intended to fill the company’s internal technological needs and soon undertakes its commercialization.
Deployment of a peat bog restoration program
Implementation of a structured program for the restoration of peat bogs after harvesting.
Development of the Ecoflo® Biofilter is completed
PREMIER TECH finalizes the development and initiates the commercialization of the wastewater biofiltration system, which relies on the filtering properties of sphagnum peat moss.
Official launch of PROGRAMME MOBILISATEUR I
This research and development program, with its budget of $22.7 million over four years, aims at developing 34 new products.
Construction of infrastructures dedicated to Innovation, Research and Development
The infrastructures represent 3 000 m2 of testing areas including three workshop-like development halls, eight laboratories and a pilot platform.
Construction of two equipment manufacturing plants
One of the plants specializes in the design and manufacturing of screening and granulometric selection systems, whereas the other is equipped with leading-edge machinery used to manufacture baggers and palletizers.
A plant for the production of endomycorrhizal inoculants is set up
A world first: PREMIER TECH launches its industrial mycoreactor production of mycorrhizal inoculants destined for horticultural and agricultural markets.
Launch of MOBILISATEUR II program
MOBILISATEUR II is launched, with the objective of developing and commercializing 55 new products over a four-year period. The program, with its budget of $40 million, also aims at developing technological platforms around the existing products.
Expansion of the industrial flexible packaging equipment line
Thanks to its IR&D programs and the acquisition of Chronos Richardson, PREMIER TECH develops a product line for the food, chemical and mineral industries while adding new bagging technologies to its product lines.
Introduction of a new PRO-MIX® with BIOFUNGICIDE
The first growing medium integrating a biofungicide is launched.
Launch of the IR&D program ESSOR
With a total budget of almost 80 million dollars, ESSOR will develop 153 new products. This new initiative will allow PREMIER TECH to diversify and improve its offer.
Development of complementary wastewater treatment products
Development and commercialization of a new line of complementary wastewater treatment products destined for the commercial, municipal and industrial markets.
Scaling of the endomycorrhizal inoculants production process
Construction and expansion of leading-edge premises and laboratories dedicated to the industrial production of endomycorrhizae.
Complete modernization of Premier Tech Horticulture’s St-Laurent Plant in Rivière-du-Loup
Eastern Canada’s most important sphagnum peat moss production plant is now equipped with state-of-the-art bagging and handling machinery.
Elaboration of the IR&D program IPSO
IPSO relies on Innovation regarding Products, Processing, Processes, Services and commercial Offers. Its objective is to maximize commercial and financial benefits while optimizing the long-term development and positioning of Premier Tech and its Business Units.
The power of one team
Strategic alliances and business integration
1995 till today
Premier Tech accelerates its growth via several business acquisitions and the establishment of strategic partnerships.
Acquisition of Équipements Tardif
PREMIER TECH acquires the supplier and launches STARSCREENER, in alliance with Erin Screen Systems, an Irish screening systems company.
Acquisition of Erin Screen Systems
ERIN SYSTEMS becomes a Business Unit of Premier CDN Enterprises Ltd.
Acquisition of 60% of FTH FÖRDERTECHNIK HAMBOURG GmbH’s capital stock
FTH specializes in the design and assembly of handling and palletizing systems for the chemical and consumer products industries.
Acquisition of 60% of Plastique Joliette’s capital stock
This company specializes in the manufacturing of customized rotomoulded plastic parts. Premier Tech acquires the remaining 40% in 2002.
Acquisition of 60% of Nantaise des Eaux SA’s capital stock
Nantaise des Eaux will become Premier Tech Water France (PTWf), a company that operates in the field of onsite wastewater treatment using innovative technologies.
Acquisition of Chronos Holdings Ltd. (Chronos Richardson)
This company specializes mainly in bagging systems and equipment for powders and granular products.
Acquisition of Les Machineries Verville, based in Drummondville
The facilities of the company, which specializes in the field of industrial flexible packaging for organic materials, become the Manufacturing Plant of Drummondville (UFD).
Centralization of the activities of Chronos Richardson Systems Europe in Parma, Italy
Most of the products destined for the European market are now manufactured at Parma’s plant. The other European installations are in charge of maintenance, parts and after-sales service.
Acquisition of Ecoflo® Ontario
PREMIER TECH acquires its exclusive distributor of Ecoflo® Biofilters in Ontario.
Acquisition in Salt Lake City, United States
PREMIER TECH becomes the owner of Graphic Packaging International’s bagging equipment division, which continues to operate under the name STONEPAK.
Acquisition of Bag Treatment Holland (BTH)
Now known under the name Chronos BTH, this Business Unit positions itself as one of the leaders in industrial flexible packaging on the European market.
Acquisition of BTH UK
This acquisition consolidates PREMIER TECH’s leadership in the field of industrial flexible packaging in Europe.
Acquisition of Delmarva and Falling Springs
PREMIER TECH acquires two American distributors operating respectively in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Acquisition of all of FORBERG’s intellectual properties
The Norwegian society’s properties will support the development of the baling technologies of Premier Tech’s Industrial Equipment Group.
A new Business Unit is set up: Premier Tech Chronos China
Premier Tech penetrates the Chinese market of flexible packaging equipment destined for food, organic, chemical and mineral products.
Acquisition of Sure-Gro, Ontario, Canada
The Canadian leader of products for amateur gardeners becomes Premier Tech Home & Garden.
Acquisition of Purflo (APC and Calona-Purflo)
One of the French leaders in the fields of decentralized wastewater treatment, water storage and rainwater harvesting becomes Premier Tech Aqua Purflo.