11 December 2017

PRESS RELEASE – Sherbrooke company LONGPRE BP, with expertise in developing products with a combination of wood and concrete, has just launched its new flooring product across Québec: Plancher LBP, an innovative prefab concrete product for residential construction. Creating prefab concrete floors with a wooden structure, specifically developed for condos and apartment blocks, is a unique concept.

A number of players in the construction industry participated in the development of the product with varying degrees of involvement, through advice or participation in prototype tests. They view the product as a simple and economic solution for their work sites. “LBP prefab concrete floors simplify our work on the site and cut costs… all while enhancing the quality of the results,” noted Linda Houle of Construction RPLH. LONGPRE BP identified a need to which no one had yet been able to respond, and the team listened and worked to develop the exact product we needed.” In addition, LONGPRE BP was able to benefit from support from NSERC and from the collaboration of the Université de Sherbrooke in the research and development of the optimal formulae to produce concrete to make the new product.

The team at LONGPRE BP is also proud to announce that Plancher LBP, its most recently developed product, has been on the market for one year and that its market penetration is accelerating thanks to the support of a number of investors and coaches. Close to half a million dollars has been invested to date. The key partners who have provided the financial assistance needed to carry out this project are: Desjardins Capital, Sherbrooke Innopole through its pre-commercialization fund, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Futurpreneur Canada, and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

Furthermore, LONGPRE BP is benefiting from valuable coaching and mentoring at Espace-inc, Sherbrooke’s business incubator. “As a young entrepreneur, I consider myself very lucky to be able to rely on the various tools available to support the development of entrepreneurs in Sherbrooke. Collaboration is excellent and there is a genuine understanding of the challenges we face. We have access to business networks and high-calibre coaches who make a real difference in our preparation for growth,” noted Olivier Longpré, co-founder of the company he started up with his father, Pierre Longpré.

The company has more than 40 years of experience in managing construction sites and in prefabricated concrete. Its products are made in its plant on Panneton Street in Sherbrooke. LONGPRE BP is on the cusp of incorporating steel to fill the gaps still existing in the residential prefab industry. A number of other products are also in the development stages to improve work-site efficiency and boost innovation in the construction industry in Québec and the rest of northeastern North America.

Sources : Longpré BP, Espace-inc et Sherbrooke Innopole
Photo credit : Longpré BP