Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc.
The Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc. is one of the largest family businesses involved in the processing of forestry products in the Lower St. Lawrence and the Gaspé Peninsula. More than a thousand jobs are generated by this company, whose head office and administrative centre are located in Ville Dégelis in Témiscouata. The Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc. comprises several divisions and about 15 mills that process over 800,000 m3 of roundwood, most of which comes from government lands covered by Timber Supply and Forest Management Agreements, with an additional 20% from private woodlots.

The Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc. operates in several sectors: logging, the milling of rough lumber and products derived from that activity, the preparation of lumber, the secondary processing of wood for the manufacture of specialty products, and the production of cedar shingles and mulch as well as the sale of all these products. With earnings of over one hundred million dollars, the Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc. continues to grow and increase its productivity by streamlining its operations.

Annual lumber production from the Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc. is over 200 million bd ft, all categories included. This last activity generates a significant amount of products derived from milling, with nearly half the volume processed in the form of chips, shavings, sawdust, and bark. Potential production of cedar mulch is about 6 million bags per year, while installed capacity for the manufacture of cedar shingles is approximately 100,000 squares per year. The Promobois G.D.S. inc. division located in St-Romuald (Québec) markets all these products.

From left to right:

Guildo Deschênes
President and Chief executive officer

Georges Deschênes
(1913-1978)
Founder president
(1947 à 1978)

Sylvain Deschênes
First vice president and chief of operation

 
A social commitment

The mission of Groupe G.D.S. inc. is not limited to the traditional goals of a forestry company. On the contrary, the company's primary concern is creating jobs and supporting the community. We have made it a priority to promote the economy in the Lower St. Lawrence and Gaspé areas; and as a family-run business, it's only logical that we do all we can to create jobs and help other families as a result. Our recent investments in new facilities and the financial assistance we've offered to various community organizations attest to this social commitment.
 
A loyal partner

We are constantly striving to maintain the respect of our many partners and to extand along with our colleagues in the industry. Our emphasis on establishing solid relationships with employees, clients, and the community has resulted in the creation of mutually beneficial partnerships founded on trust. This trust encourages us to strive to improve and to do our very best.
 
A promising future, a dynamic team
As recent acquisitions indicate, Groupe G.D.S. inc. is always working with an eye on the company's future. The development of value-added products has come to play a key role in the company's activities of late. High-technology research and development is another area of great interest to us and we have been promoting R & D work in the goal of improving the quality of our products. In addition, our team has solid training, and the company stresses collaboration among newer team members and more experienced employees in the goal of generating a unique sense of synergy. At Le Groupe de Scieries G.D.S. inc., we're working together towards building our future.
 
In harmony with nature
The effective management of our natural resources is the key to our future. Forests are a source of life, places that deserves our utmost attention and care. It is therefore vital that we ensure that all primary materials are not wasted, but are used carefully. Forests are a renewable natural resource, and we are channeling our energy toward promoting regeneration in the form of unique on-site procedures. The protection of our environment, ecosystems, wildlife species and habitats are all issues that deserve our keen attention.
  
 
Desire to maximize our resources
Many by-products result from the wood transformation process, such as wood chips, sawdust, wood shavings, bark, and other products. Groupe G.D.S. inc. places great importance on the proper use of these lumber by-products. Our mulch, for example, is produced from a number of by-products. The paper manufacturers of today re-use by-products effectively. Branches and other parts of cedar trees left in the forest are recovered and transported to the appropriate processing centres. We are constantly working toward maximizing our use of all resources.


 
 
A healthy company

Groupe G.D.S. inc. does everything in its power to look after the health of its employees. We have implemented workplace health and safety policies in the goal of preventing accidents and illnesses that might arise while our employees are on the job. A safe workplace leads to stable working relationships, higher product quality and, by extension, a sense of ownership and well-being among company employees. Our slogan, "Groupe G.D.S., des Gens De Sécurité ('Groupe G.D.S., The team that puts safety first')," reflects this concern for health and safety.

  
Our markets

Thanks to the strategic positions of our facilities, the Groupe de scieries G.D.S. inc. products serve several eastern North America markets. In the United States, our markets cover States east of the Mississippi River, from Maine to Florida. In Canada, we serve mainly our clients in the provinces of Ontario, Qu ébec and the Maritimes.