Canac—the first independent hardware and construction materials chain from the Quebec City region—is the product of nearly 150 years of experience. This great company offering over 25,000 products stands out from its competitors through its personalized customer service and competitive prices.
Canac also stands out for its managerial approach based on family values, which extends to its employees. The sense of belonging among its personnel is enviable. This has a definite impact on the strength of our customer service and the desire to ensure Canac’s success. Today, Canac is composed of 34 stores and employs over 5,000 trained and qualified employees thanks to its accredited Training Center.
Over the years, Canac has gained an enviable reputation with an ever-growing customer base and a philosophy based on personalized service that models hardware stores of the past. Today the company stands as a pillar in its domain and a reference of quality to those working in construction and renovation. Canac also distinguishes itself through its service and expertise aimed at assisting entrepreneurs and do-it-yourself home builders, available in several of our stores.
REAL GOOD ADVICE FOR REAL.
BACKGROUND
1981 : Creation of Canac-Marquis Grenier
In December 1981, the merger of the family-owned companies of Jos Grenier, founded in 1875, and Louis Canac-Marquis, founded in 1878, created Canac-Marquis Grenier. By this time, the business had already established itself at the forefront of hardware distribution in the region with a total of five stores.
1984 : First expansions
Beginning in 1984, with its ongoing commitment to improving its place in the market, Canac acquired the stores of Baptiste Touchatou in Charlesbourg, Vanier and Saint-Romuald.
1985-1989-1993 : Acquisitions By Groupe Laberge
In November 1985, Groupe Laberge, owner of Quincaillerie Laberge hardware store, acquired the total assets of Canac-Marquis Grenier. In 1989, Groupe Laberge purchased the Centre de bricolage Chez Tôle hardware store, and in 1993, the two Matériaux Audet stores (L’Ancienne-Lorette and Henri-Bourassa) joined the chain.
1995 : Acquisition of a distribution centre
In order to support and carry out such an expansion, Canac built its own distribution centre in 1995 in L’Ancienne-Lorette. With the integration of new computerized resources, daily store supply became possible. Incidentally, the company’s expansion and the increase in commercial offer would lead to another expansion of the distribution centre in January 2005, totalling a surface of 145,000 square feet.
1998 to 2005 : New store openings
Several new stores have opened their doors between 1998 and 2005: Lévis (1998), Sainte-Foy (2000), Beauport (2001), L'Ancienne-Lorette (2001), Victoriaville (2002), Charlesbourg (rue Bernier, 2004), Saint-Romuald (2005) and Saint-Georges (2005).
2006 to 2010 : Still growing
Our expansion continued between 2006 and 2010 with several new stores: Vanier and Chicoutimi in 2006, Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke in 2007, Val-Bélair in 2008, Cap-de-la-Madeleine in 2009 and Saint-Nicolas in 2010.
2007 : Distribution center in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
No longer able to keep up with demand, a brand-new distribution center opened its doors in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures in 2007. This distribution centre, equipped with new state-of-the-art equipment, is one of the most efficient in the country. With its 250,000 square feet of surface, this building ensures the company’s enormous growth potential and unparalleled ease of supply. It allows Canac to buy goods directly from the manufacturer, regardless of its origin, and distribute them directly to stores at lower costs. Unbeatable prices is one of the cornerstones of Canac’s mission.
2010 : New Name
Over the years, customers have come to know Canac-Marquis Grenier. Some may have even appropriated their Canac and familiarly use the name when referring to their hardware store. So, in 2010, the company’s management team decided to update the company’s identity by renaming the chain CANAC. This new identity allows the company to be better equipped for its future growth and to facilitate brand positioning among the public, which has a positive impact on all aspects of the company’s marketing strategy.
2011 to 2016 : Development across the province
Between 2011 and 2016, the company continues its development and opens more stores, most of then located outside the Québec City area: Jonquière (2011), Drummondville (2012), Rock Forest (2013), Cowansville (2014), Rimouski (2014), Henri-Bourassa (2016) and Beauharnois (2016).
2016 : Distribution center in Drummondville
Opening in early 2016, the new 350,000 sq. ft. distribution center will supply the 10 stores west of Victoriaville: Cowansville, Rock Forest, Sherbrooke, Drummondville, Victoriaville, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Trois-Rivières, Granby, Saint-Hubert and Beauharnois. The distribution center's central location ensures fast, efficient transport logistics.
2017 until today Canac keeps growing
Since 2017, the Canac family keeps growing by adding the following stores: Granby (2017), Saint-Hubert (2017), Thetford Mines (2018), Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (2018), Shawinigan (2018), Notre-Dame-des-Prairies (2019), Prévost (2020), La Prairie (2021), Contrecoeur (2023), Sorel-Tracy (2024) and Rivière-du-loup (2025).
In 2019, the distribution centre in Drummondville underwent a major expansion of 300,000 square feet. Then, in 2021, Canac built a second building of 500 000 square feet to increase the storage space, mostly for building materials.