A leader in the processing of wood and its derivatives
A vertically integrated company
At Damabois, our operations are fully integrated — from the tree stump to the finished product, from the woodland harvesting of timber to the marketing of processed goods. The strength of this integration ensures that our clients not only get the best prices but also benefit from a continuous supply and diligent quality control at every step of the process.
Cutting-edge technology
Seeking to innovate and develop wood derivatives, we are constantly exploring new ways to modernize our processes. Our facilities employ state-of-the-art technology and are focused on green energy.
For example, our products are notched, dried, and treated at high temperature (HT). The heat required for this thermal process comes from a boiler fuelled with forest biomass. Using this green energy instead of fossil fuels avoids the production of hundreds of tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Our plants are also equipped with sophisticated automated machinery that allows for the re-purposing of processing by-products. This is how we produce our slow-burning energy logs.
We also manufacture a variety of pressed and moulded wood products, using technology that offers a wide range of possibilities.
Continuous supply
Our production plants can rely on a continuous supply of quality roundwood, both from public forests and from several producers with private forests in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions. We mainly work with quaking aspen, with an increasing demand for hardwood and softwood.
Are you a wood producer? Contact us: we may be interested in what you are producing!
A big family of production plants
From its headquarters in Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia (Bas-Saint-Laurent), Damabois manages several facilities located throughout Quebec and the Maritimes.
Whether specializing in sawing, assembly, or the processing of by-products like shavings and sawdust, each facility can rely on a highly qualified workforce and state-of-the-art equipment.
Head office and main industrial complex
Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia, QC
The Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia sawmill is the Damabois group’s first facility, which also houses its head office.
Ideally situated to enjoy a steady supply from lumber producers in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions, it is equipped with a kiln used for drying and heat treating (HT) wood, as well as with soaking facilities that allow for the application of antifungal agents.
Cap-Chat Division
Cap-Chat, QC
This plant, built in 2005, is outfitted with ultramodern facilities and equipment to foster maximum productivity. Each shift processes close to 70,000 varied components (boards and notched stringers).
Its supply comes mainly from public forests in the Gaspé region, as well as from private producers in the region.
Métis Pallet Division
Métis-sur-Mer, QC
This production unit, part of the Saint-Damase industrial complex, has direct access to components made at the sawmill, which it uses to produce wooden pallets. With its fleet of high-performance robotic assemblers, it boasts an extraordinary production capacity.
Moulin Aldo & Fils
Brantville, NB
Damabois’s first acquisition in New Brunswick, this Lagacéville company, well-established in the province since 2003, joins the group’s other Quebec-based pallet assembly plants. Its presence provides access to new markets east of Quebec. In exchange, it benefits from a steady supply of quality components through its integration in the Damabois group.
Palettes du Haut-Richelieu
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
In 2015, Damabois acquired this company founded in 1992. Located on the South Shore of Montreal (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), this wood pallet and crate manufacturer (standard or custom formats) is one of the biggest names in the field.
The major investments and improvements Damabois made in 2015-2016 have increased the plant’s production capacity, allowing it to maintain its steady growth. Its integration into the Damabois group ensures that it will benefit from a steady supply of quality components.
Log Division
Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia, QC
Built in 2017, this state-of-the-art plant is part of the Saint-Damase industrial complex. It has allowed the Damabois group to make a major green shift by re-purposing its sawmill by-products (shavings, sawdust, etc.) on-site to manufacture a substitute for traditional firewood: slow-burning energy logs.
In addition, its drying facilities are powered by renewable energy: forest biomass.
Bois Chic-Chocs
Cap-Chat, QC
In 2019, Damabois acquired this sawmill in the Cap-Chat region, built in 1991 and a member of the Lebel group. Now operating under the name “Bois Chic-Chocs,” it specializes in pallet components production. Its integration has tripled the group’s volume of supply from public forests in the Gaspésie region. This strategic decision guarantees a steady supply for Damabois.
Bois Franc
Saint-Philippe-de-Néri, QC
Damabois-owned since January 2020, this company in Saint-Philippe-de-Néri has become an expert in the manufacturing of quality pallets, certified for export. Today, it employs a team of about forty people and annually produces over a million pallets. Over the years, it has been able to diversify and offer wood shaving production services (biomass), as well as cardboard, paper, and plastic wrap recycling services. It has also established a storage trailer rental service.
Moulded Wood Division
Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia, QC
In July 2019, Damabois continued to innovate by integrating a new production unit into its industrial complex in Saint-Damase, focused on pressed and moulded wood and its derivatives. Using European thermoforming technology, the facility produces pallets made of sawmill residue. Cleaner and easy to stack, these pallets meet the particular needs of various sectors, such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. This almost $5.3 million investment will allow Damabois to broaden its array of products, ranging from wood used for coffins to chair backs. Moulded wood is an excellent substitute for moulded plastic.
Les Rabotages L’Islet Nord
Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, QC
The Damabois group began 2022 with a new acquisition. The raw lumber planing and drying company Les Rabotages L’Islet Nord was added to Damabois’ impressive portfolio of facilities. The plant has been in operation for 30 years and employs about fifteen people. Mainly involved in the residential sector, it is one of the few factories to have a planer for large beams.
Pallets Inc.
Fort Edward, NY, USA
With a rich history going back 80 years, Pallets Inc., an industry-leading pallet manufacturer in the United States, was sold to Damabois in 2023, becoming the group’s 11th facility and thus expanding its market coverage in the Northeastern United States. The factory specializes in the production of assembled material handling pallets in standard and custom sizes, with a staff of about thirty employees. Pallets Inc. is distinguished by its use of cutting-edge technology and modernized processes, allowing it to serve clienteles in various spheres, such as the paper, mining, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and biosciences sectors.
About us
Founded in 1986, Damabois has, in just a few short decades, become a leader in the wood processing and wood derivatives processing sector. It is a fully integrated company, which follows its raw material—logs—from harvesting in the forest to marketing as a finished or processed product.
From its headquarters in Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia (Bas-Saint-Laurent), the organization manages several facilities located throughout Quebec and the Maritimes, all of which rely on a highly qualified workforce employing state-of-the-art equipment.
With the versatility of its know-how in the areas of sawing, heat treating, bioenergy, assembly, and wood moulding, Damabois has become a master of innovation and an expert at enhancing the value of wood.
Its operations incorporate the principles of sustainable development and comply with international standards for phytosanitary measures. The company also possesses the required certifications to serve markets here at home and abroad.
Damabois
Timeline
1986
- Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia: construction of a mill for the processing of quaking aspen
- The first sawmill starts up
2005
- Cap-Chat (Haute-Gaspésie): construction of a state-of-the-art facility that can rely on a steady supply from the vast surrounding public forest
2008
- Acquisition of robotic assemblers, allowing for the production of shipping pallets alongside the milling of components (boards and notched stringers), which are already part of the operations
- The processing of softwood and hardwood begins
2013
- Entry into the Maritimes market and an increase in production capacity through the acquisition of Moulin Aldo & Fils (Lagacéville, New Brunswick), allowing for a better response to increasing demand
2015
- Entry into the Southern Quebec market through the acquisition of Palettes du Haut-Richelieu (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu)
- Considerable investments made to purchase modern equipment and improve facilities in order to better keep pace with the growth cycle
- Beginning of the integration process at the company, which now assembles almost all of the components coming from its sawmills and produces 1 million pallets per year
2017
- Saint-Damase-de-Matapédia: construction of a state-of-the-art plant, allowing for a significant shift in production—the use of by-products, notably for the manufacturing of energy logs
- Harnessing of forest biomass for part of the facility’s energy supply
2019
- Major investments in equipment for the production of moulded wood products, making Damabois a leader in the wood processing and wood derivatives processing sector
- Acquisition of Groupe Lebel’s Cap-Chat plant—renamed “Bois Chic-Chocs”—tripling the size of the company's access to public and private forests in Gaspésie, in addition to guaranteeing a steady supply for Damabois
2020
- 2020 promises to be a prosperous year. Concluding an agreement with the Roussel family in January, Damabois acquires its company — Bois Franc Inc., founded in Saint-Philippe-de-Néri in 1995, an expert in the construction of quality pallets certified for export—which employs a team of about forty people and annually produces over a million pallets.
2021
- Expansion of company operations on American soil with the acquisition of the firm of Essex Box & Pallet, located in Keeseville, Essex County, in New York State. Rebranded D Pallet Shop, it becomes Damabois’ 10th facility, ensuring greater coverage of the northeastern U.S. market.