Presentation

Jean Laflamme

president

We manufacture affordable furniture for the North American market and we share our passion and tips with the consumers so they can create the décor that suits their way of life.

A recognized leader in North American furniture manufacturing industry for three generations, the enterprise now relies on a team of over 700 employees in three factories, 2 in Quebec and one in Mexico.

History

In 1940 Eugène Laflamme established South Shore Furniture by buying a bankrupt wooden toy manufacturing business previously owned by Pierre and Jean de Ste-Croix-de-Lotbinière. Understanding the seasonal nature of the toy business, South Shore diversified production to include kitchen tables and chairs. The factory was rebuilt on the original site in 1941 and again in 1951 after it was damaged by fire. When the wooden furniture market suffered with the appearance of Chrome furniture in 1952, South Shore expanded its product range to include bedroom furnishings.

In 1970 Guy Laflamme succeeded his father as managing director for South Shore Furniture. During this period of time the company expanded its production by incorporating Morrissette et frères in Laurierville. Then in 1978, it was J.W. Kilgour Ltd. of Coaticook that became another South ShoreTM factory. Over the years all 3 factories have undergone several phases of investment and expansion to make South Shore Furniture what it is today.

In 1986, Jean Laflamme joined the company and in 1999 Guy Laflamme designated him President while he maintained the position of President of the Board of Directors. Mr. Jean Laflamme represents the third generation at the head of South Shore Furniture.

In 2010, it was the 70th anniversary of the company and also the year the Mexican’s plant was acquired.

Proud to do our part

At South ShoreTM Furniture, we believe that when it comes to helping the environment every little bit counts. It is also our priority to manufacture products that will not harm consumers’ health.

• All our furniture is manufactured using particle board and MDF that are made entirely from recycled fibres and respect the ultra-low formaldehyde emission levels required by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB II standards are the most stringent in North America.
• We also favour particle board suppliers who are EPP and FSC compliant.
• Our new Eco-Armor packaging is made of recyclable materials only. By Spring 2013, all of our products will be packaged this way, which will allow us to eliminate 60,000 cubic meters of styrofoam, the equivalent of 706 trailer-loads annually.
• All our exposed hardware is tested to ensure it contains no lead or other heavy metals.
• Both the cardboard and plastic film used in our packaging are made from recycled materials.
• We send our hardware for bagging in reusable plastic bins, rather than cardboard boxes.
• We keep our glues, lacquers and thinners in reusable, refillable containers.
• We recycle the materials we use, including paper, cardboard, batteries, printer cartridges, plastic film and scrap metals.
• Our scrap wood panels are used to heat our factories.
• We pay to have our machine oils and fluorescents disposed of safely.
• Our furniture is nearly 85% biodegradable by weight.
• We have a flexible schedule policy in place that encourages our employees to carpool, which reduces the number of cars on the road.

Team

South Shore Furniture employs passionate people who are motivated by action and evolution. The head office is located in Ste-Croix-de-Lotbinière and that is where most administrative jobs are. The enterprise also has three plants, two are in Quebec (Ste-Croix-de-Lotbinière and Coaticook) and one in Mexico. Since our sales cover Canada, United States and Mexico, an openness to other cultures and languages is essential in our enterprise which nevertheless maintains a traditional and family character with roots more than 70 years old.