This fabulous story began the day Adrien Bernard decided in 1966 to open a mechanical workshop that he named Atelier Adrien Bernard. A man who is passionate about his work is destined to do great things. He passed on his contagious passion for engines to his four sons, Claude, Rénald, Michel and André, who, in 1991, bought his father’s business and developed the Nikasil cylinder replacement process, which offers equal or even greater durability than an original cylinder. A true innovation! The proof? The family business is the only one in Canada to offer such a service. A well-thought-out strategy, because it allows the company to become known throughout the country. The brothers then created an important and enviable distribution network that extended to Western Canada. Nothing less!
In 2006, Atelier Adrien Bernard took another important step. The four brothers sold the company to CVTech of Drummondville, which acquired a well-established business as well as a good distribution network. The new buyers invest $3.5 million in the construction of a new plant in Thetford Mines specializing in the reconditioning of engine parts. Also, as a tribute to the perseverance of the founder and his company, the owners of this new subsidiary decided to add the letters “AAB” to CVTech for “Atelier Adrien Bernard”.
Since then, CVTech-AAB has never stopped growing. “We have 70 employees working in Thetford Mines. We are present in more than 52 countries,” says proudly Marie-Andrée Tougas, marketing consultant.
A green mission
CVTech-AAB also prides itself on being a green company. Old engine parts are refurbished. They are given a second life rather than being thrown away. “Better yet, if you think your engine is finished, it can be sent to the company to see if it is,” says our consultant. Also, their impressive inventory is a veritable court of miracles. Not without reason! CVTech-AAB has the largest inventory of remanufactured products in the country, including crankshafts, engines, piston assemblies, gaskets, and a host of other items for all recreational sports vehicles such as snowmobiles, quads, personal watercraft, motorcycles and outboards. “The advantage is that these parts are of equal or better quality than new parts. The delivery time is also faster. It is done within 24 hours. Plus, the parts are less expensive.”
Our marketing consultant also tells us that the company is very proud of its research and development team, the cream of the crop, which focuses on developing state-of-the-art products or improving them. “We have an analytical chemistry technician, engineers, mechanics and several other recreational engine enthusiasts. People can send us a special project and we are able to make it happen.”
CVTech-AAB’s international success is also due to the reliability and quality of its products. “All parts are manually inspected before being shipped here and abroad. They are covered by a very good warranty. Customer satisfaction and experience are very important to the company.”
Labour shortage
However, manufacturing quality products requires a skilled workforce. “We are very fortunate, we are not hit too hard by the labor shortage. Even better, we help repair companies that are short of workers. They send us the parts so we can repair them for them.” Marie-Andrée Tougas adds that to keep their employees motivated, the company has instituted a work recognition program. Many employees have 15 to 25 years of loyal service with the company. And to top it off, because it couldn’t be better, CVTech-AAB employees are passionate about mechanics. “Yes, they “trip” on engines. That’s why they love their work. Some of them come here with their cars, whose engines have been refurbished by them. Others use their motorcycle or snowmobile to come to work. For that purpose, we have parking spaces reserved just for snowmobilers.”
Eyes on the future
Another motivating factor at work for employees, the company is thinking big. “CVTech-AAB wants to expand further. We want to further develop the market for remanufactured ATV parts in the United States, because ATVs are very popular there. We also want to become the leader in remanufactured engines in the world and be recognized for our competence, experience, reliability and quality of our products. We not only want to maintain our achievements in Canada, but also to develop them further”, concludes our lady.
