About us

History

Compared to where we are today, we have come a very long way since our beginnings within the reinforcing steel industry in 1976, and we are extremely proud of our history. At ABF, we have chosen to constantly expand our horizons, knowledge and wisdom by making the most out of our vast working experiences in order build a company that can meet and engage with the demands of today’s construction industry. Please navigate the timeline below to discover some of the most important milestones which have allowed us to build our company and offer our current fabrication capabilities.
Foundation of the company by Yvon Roberge, Gilles Bergeron (Acier Victoria) and Noël Gardner (Solider Steel Structures).
1976
Foundation of the company by Yvon Roberge, Gilles Bergeron (Acier Victoria) and Noël Gardner (Solider Steel Structures).
Purchase and installation of the first specialized equipment for the transformation of reinforcing steel at the factory on Bois-Francs Boulevard, Victoriaville.
1980
Purchase and installation of the first specialized equipment for the transformation of reinforcing steel at the factory on Bois-Francs Boulevard, Victoriaville.
ABF opens its first account with a steel mill (Stelco McMaster).
1985
ABF opens its first account with a steel mill (Stelco McMaster).
Éric Bernier joins the company as Project Manager.
1987
Éric Bernier joins the company as Project Manager.
Awarding of the first contract for a project of hydroelectric plant (Manic-5's capacity gain work).
1988
Awarding of the first contract for a project of hydroelectric plant (Manic-5's capacity gain work).
Company penetrates the Montréal market.
1989
Company penetrates the Montréal market.
Yvon Roberge buys out his partners’ shares in the company and makes Éric Bernier his partner.
1991
Yvon Roberge buys out his partners’ shares in the company and makes Éric Bernier his partner.
Company relocates to the Victoriaville Industrial Park and installs its first automated process machinery.
1991
Company relocates to the Victoriaville Industrial Park and installs its first automated process machinery.
First contract abroad (construction of the Bongolo minihydroelectric plant in Gabon).
1994
First contract abroad (construction of the Bongolo minihydroelectric plant in Gabon).
ABF receives “SME of the Year” Award from the Bois-Francs Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
1995
ABF receives “SME of the Year” Award from the Bois-Francs Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
François Vallières joins the team.
1996
François Vallières joins the team.
Yvon Roberge steps out and sells all of his shares to Éric Bernier (80%) and François Vallières (20%).
1997
Yvon Roberge steps out and sells all of his shares to Éric Bernier (80%) and François Vallières (20%).
First company in Québec specializing in reinforcing steel to receive the ISO 9001 certification.
1999
First company in Québec specializing in reinforcing steel to receive the ISO 9001 certification.
Completion of the company’s first contract worth over 10 million dollars in reinforcing steel (construction of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal Convention Centre).
1999
Completion of the company’s first contract worth over 10 million dollars in reinforcing steel (construction of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal Convention Centre).
ABF begins expansion into Ontario.
2000
ABF begins expansion into Ontario.
ABF receives “Large Company of the Year” Award from the Bois-Francs Cchamber of Industry and Commerce.
2000
ABF receives “Large Company of the Year” Award from the Bois-Francs Cchamber of Industry and Commerce.
Several expansions of offices, factories and warehouses in order to keep up with growing demands.
2001
Several expansions of offices, factories and warehouses in order to keep up with growing demands.
Participation in the building of subway station in Laval, the SM3-Toulnustouc hydroelectric plant, <br/>a hotel chain in the Caiman Islands as well as several other buildings in Bermuda.
2003
Participation in the building of subway station in Laval, the SM3-Toulnustouc hydroelectric plant,
a hotel chain in the Caiman Islands as well as several other buildings in Bermuda.
Development of partnerships with Chinese suppliers and beginning of imports directly from China.
2005
Development of partnerships with Chinese suppliers and beginning of imports directly from China.
Major expansion of ABF following the land buyout and relocation of the company’s immediate neighbour, a company called Sintra.
2006
Major expansion of ABF following the land buyout and relocation of the company’s immediate neighbour, a company called Sintra.
ABF expands to Western Canada; specifically, in Manitoba and Alberta.
2008
ABF expands to Western Canada; specifically, in Manitoba and Alberta.
Awarding of the contract for the McGill University Health Center, the company’s biggest project to date worth over 18 million dollars.
2010
Awarding of the contract for the McGill University Health Center, the company’s biggest project to date worth over 18 million dollars.
ABF doubles the size of its office building and purchases several new pieces of equipment at the cutting edge of technology.
2010
ABF doubles the size of its office building and purchases several new pieces of equipment at the cutting edge of technology.
Awarding of the contract for the BORR project for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the company’s biggest project to date in Ontario ($13M).
2011
Awarding of the contract for the BORR project for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the company’s biggest project to date in Ontario ($13M).
Buyout of the company Gauvreau et Laroche’s warehouses and land as well as Norampac’s land, in Victoriaville. Expansion of ABF’s warehouses. Purchase of assets, buildings and land from the Malicaje company.
2011
Buyout of the company Gauvreau et Laroche’s warehouses and land as well as Norampac’s land, in Victoriaville. Expansion of ABF’s warehouses. Purchase of assets, buildings and land from the Malicaje company.
Death of Yvon Roberge, founder of ABF.
2011
Death of Yvon Roberge, founder of ABF.
Awarding of the contract for the extension of the CHU Sainte-Justine Growing Up Healthy.
2012
Awarding of the contract for the extension of the CHU Sainte-Justine Growing Up Healthy.
Awarding of the contract for the construction of the parking garage for the fairgrounds for the Lansdowne Park Redevelopment.
2012
Awarding of the contract for the construction of the parking garage for the fairgrounds for the Lansdowne Park Redevelopment.
Awarding of the contract for the construction of a new 5 floor parking garage, replacing the existing facilities at Bayshore Shopping Centre. ($20M)
2012
Awarding of the contract for the construction of a new 5 floor parking garage, replacing the existing facilities at Bayshore Shopping Centre. ($20M)
Awarding of the contract for the construction of 288 wind farms in Ontario (11,000 tons).
2013
Awarding of the contract for the construction of 288 wind farms in Ontario (11,000 tons).
Awarding of the contract for the MTQ Interchange of Autoroutes 20 and 30 in Boucherville
2013
Awarding of the contract for the MTQ Interchange of Autoroutes 20 and 30 in Boucherville
Awarding of the contract for the MTO #2013-4065 Hwy 17-417 structural rehabilitation in Arnprior
2014
Awarding of the contract for the MTO #2013-4065 Hwy 17-417 structural rehabilitation in Arnprior
Awarding of the contract for the 407 East Highway Extension
2014
Awarding of the contract for the 407 East Highway Extension
Awarding of the contract for Icon Tower, the highest condo tower in Ottawa.
2015
Awarding of the contract for Icon Tower, the highest condo tower in Ottawa.
Awarding of the contract for Place Bell in Laval.
2015
Awarding of the contract for Place Bell in Laval.
Awarding of the contract for the Turcot Interchange, a 5-years project.
2015
Awarding of the contract for the Turcot Interchange, a 5-years project.
Awarding of the contract for Bayshore Shopping Center west parkade rebuild in Ottawa.
2016
Awarding of the contract for Bayshore Shopping Center west parkade rebuild in Ottawa.
Obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification
2018
Obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification
The acquisition of a new Plant in Chateauguay
2018
The acquisition of a new Plant in Chateauguay
Awarding of the contract for Square Children's Phase 1A in Montreal.
2018
Awarding of the contract for Square Children's Phase 1A in Montreal.
Awarding of the contract for Solar C12 in Brossard.
2019
Awarding of the contract for Solar C12 in Brossard.
Awarding of the contract for Maestria Towers in Montreal.
2020
Awarding of the contract for Maestria Towers in Montreal.
Awarding of the contract for Bass 3&4 Griffintown in Montréal.
2021
Awarding of the contract for Bass 3&4 Griffintown in Montréal.
Awarding of the contract for Lux Place in Ottawa (2 500 MT).
2022
Awarding of the contract for Lux Place in Ottawa (2 500 MT).
Awarding of the contract for Symphonia PH2B in Ile-des-Soeurs (2 200 MT).
2022
Awarding of the contract for Symphonia PH2B in Ile-des-Soeurs (2 200 MT).
Awarding of the contract for 395 Slater Street in Ottawa (3 400 MT).
2023
Awarding of the contract for 395 Slater Street in Ottawa (3 400 MT).