f. ménard - pdf

2 business elite canada H MAR/APR 2015

By Cheryl Long

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Adding a healthy dose of innovation to a recipe founded on hard work and family traditions has been the secret to success for one of Canadas flourishing hog producers. Since the early days when Fulgence Menard purchased his fathers feed mill in

Ange-Gardien, Quebec in 1961, F. Menard has evolved and grown to become a

leader in the field of pork production. Today, the family-owned business has ap-

proximately 1,000 employees, more than 200 associate producers in Quebec

and Eastern Ontario, and customers in 50 countries worldwide. Now run by Ful-

gences sons Pierre, Francois and Luc, F. Menard continues to look to the future

through expansion, investment and improvements across the company.

The companys General Manager, Luc Menard, worked his way up through the

business, first helping the farms manager at age 12 and then taking on full-time

work at 15. Along the way, he learned all facets of the company ranging from feed

production, breeding and technical advice to management positions that even-

MAR/APR 2015 H business elite canada 3

Nos sincres flicitations dune entreprise familiale une autre

Sincere congratulations from one family company to another

abcd

Lquipe porcine Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Lte | The Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. swine team

Nous investissons sur le capital humain pour innover en production porcine.We invest in human capital to innovate in swine production.

Longue vie votre succs et notre partenariat.

Long live your success and our partnership.

tually led to his current role. After work-

ing for 38 years, my responsibilities now

consist of defining future strategies and

overseeing the growth of the company,

he explained.

VERTICAL INTEGRATION FOR ALL STAGES OF PORK

PRODUCTIONF. Menard is a vertically integrated busi-

ness, which allows them to be involved in

all stages of pork production. They have a

hand in genetics, livestock breeding, feed,

transport, biosecurity and processing, and

everything comes full circle with a strong

commitment to research and develop-

ment supported by an annual investment

of $500,000.

We have our own R&D service, which an-

nually conducts many tests in all divisions

of the company to ensure we remain com-

petitive and maintain the very best prod-

uct quality, Luc explained.

Each year, F. Menard processes more than

one million pigs in one of Canadas most

advanced cutting and processing plants.

Because they process for international

distribution, F. Menard prides itself on the

Dr. Julie Mnard, veterinarian and agronomist,

recipient of the Science in Practiceaward from the University of Minnesota


Nos sincres flicitations dune entreprise familiale une autre

Sincere congratulations from one family company to another

abcd

Lquipe porcine Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Lte | The Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. swine team

Nous investissons sur le capital humain pour innover en production porcine.We invest in human capital to innovate in swine production.

Longue vie votre succs et notre partenariat.

Long live your success and our partnership.


an exCeptionalteam

working in close collaboration, f. mnards teams tackle

major challenges on a daily basis: they produce top quality pork;

guarantee zootechnical performance; implement cutting-edge

models in herd management; constantly innovate in order to

stay at the forefront of technology; raise standards; maximize meat

processing methods and respond to local and international market

demands. at f. mnard, excellence is a fundamental requirement.

1716

BAXP12-005 Brochure_AN.indd 16-17 12-09-19 10:15

We greatly value their unique know-how and skills and would not have achieved our present position without their valuable contributions.


companys ability to adapt to their custom-

ers different needs and demands based

on regulatory requirements. That adapt-

ability can be traced in part to a commit-

ment to several core priorities: research

and development, biosecurity, animal wel-

fare and sustainable development.

Research and development is the umbrella

under which F. Menard dedicates time and

resources to genetic testing, feeding pro-

grams, animal husbandry and slaughtering

processes. They attribute their meat qual-

ity to the premium feed they use, atten-

tion paid to animal welfare in all facets of

the business, and the humane methods

incorporated into both the production and

slaughtering processes.

FARM OWNERS PLAYA KEY ROLE

At the grower level, F. Menard has found

success in partnering with a network of

producers who are farm owners capable

of maintaining a high level of operations.

Like their employees, many of F. Menards

an exCeptionalteam

working in close collaboration, f. mnards teams tackle

major challenges on a daily basis: they produce top quality pork;

guarantee zootechnical performance; implement cutting-edge

models in herd management; constantly innovate in order to

stay at the forefront of technology; raise standards; maximize meat

processing methods and respond to local and international market

demands. at f. mnard, excellence is a fundamental requirement.

1716



Biosecurity Animal welfare Sustainabledevelopment

Research anddevelopment

A Model to Emulate

We produce on a large scale while still protecting theenvironment. This is the reason why F.Mnard has been steadily improving its practices over the past years. The company has even pioneered the implementation ofnewenvironmental technologies.

Feed optimization

We were the first company in Canada to use phytase in cubed feed to reduce the amount of phosphorous in the liquid manure. We also use water-saving bowls and hoppers in all our establishments, which has enabled us to decrease by 35% the volume of liquid manure to be managed. Reclaimed liquid manure is now used as fertilizer through spreading techniques that respect the environment.

Treatment of liquid manure

With the Biofertile system, we can treat over 13,000 cubic metres of liquid manure annually. This system produces an organic fertilizer that is ready to spread in the fields for soil enrichment. The extracted liquid portion is odourless and purified, and can be irrigated in the fields. This bold investment of over two million dollars is bringing new solutions to liquid manure management.

Environmental follow-up

In order to manage the manure as required by Quebec laws, we must constantly co-operate with local producers who receive the liquid manure from our farms. By following up with these producers and their agronomists, we can comply with agro-environmental plans and help to fertilize their fields, thus avoiding the extra costs of chemical fertilizers. In observance with the principle of eco-conditionality, F. Mnard prioritizes the protection of every associate clients environmental situation.

Other technologies

Centrifuges are used to physically separate raw manure into liquid and solid matter. Once again, we have adopted a solution that not only helps to eliminate swine manure, but is also beneficial to the environment.

Other environmental achievements

Reclamation of by-products from butchering hogs; use of biodegradable products in our cooling systems; on-site wastewater treatment in our processing plant and agronomic reclamation of the residual sludge; recycling of various materials used in the operations.

Solid management of swine manure and odour control at the farms through a biofiltration system.

LESS MANURE35%

PHYTASE

WINDBREAK HEDGES

WIND

INSTALLED AT THE PERIPHERY OF

OUR INSTALLATIONS

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producers have been working in collabo-

ration with the company for 30 years or

more. Producers are supplied with piglets

and pigs, feed and medications, and any

technical and veterinary assistance, and

each must comply with animal welfare

standards under the Canadian Quality As-

surance program (CQA). F. Menard also

oversees the distribution of feed and the

transport of the animals, using handling

methods designed to maximize animal

comfort.

Many of their practices are aimed at re-

ducing both water consumption and their

carbon footprint. Windbreaks limit odours

emitted by their farms, water-saving bowls

and water metres monitor usage and new

farms are located in areas screened by

wooded terrain. Their state-of-the-art pro-

cessing plant uses only biodegradable

products, recycles where possible and uti-

lizes waste-free production methods. One

of their key achievements is the ability to

trace their products through all steps of

the process. Each part of production, from

reproduction and fattening to slaughter

and butchery, takes a structured and rigor-

ously controlled approach.

F. Menard holds numerous certifications,

including Porc Europe, HACCP, Canadian

Quality Assurance (CQA), Transport Qual-

ity Assurance (TQA), Certified Livestock


We have our own R&D service, which annually conducts many tests in all

divisions of the company to ensure we remain competitive and maintain the

very best product quality. Luc Menard, General Manager


Transporter (CLT) and PAACO, the Pro-

fessional Animal Auditor Certification Or-

ganization. In addition, theyve received

numerous awards with one of the most re-

cent coming from Canadas Best Managed

Companies program for 2014. This was the

first year that F. Menard made the pres-

tigious list of 50 companies, and is sym-

bolic of their continued commitment to

their industry and the extended family that

supports the F. Menard brand. The award

recognizes the companys solid business

model, their rigorous management of re-

sources in order to maintain growth, a

strong focus on innovation and the various

initiatives theyve taken in optimizing their

infrastructure.

One of the companys greatest strengths

comes from the wealth of experience that

their employees bring to the workplace.

We greatly value their unique know-how

and skills and would not have achieved

our present position without their valuable

contributions, Luc said. Many of our em-

ployees have been with us for more than

30 years!


to this dAy, F. MnArd cAn proudly clAiM thAt it hAs Achieved enviAble prosperity. the FAMily coMpAny

hAs grown thAnks to its AssociAtes innovAtive spirit And vision.

a shared suCCess

Our assOciate stOck farmers

Our clients

Our emplOyees

Our suppliers

however, we are well aware that without our associate stock farmers trust, without our suppliers expertise, without our employees work

and without our clients appreciation, none of this would be possible.

All our faithful collaborators have sided with us in our decisions, our choices and our orientations. today they still help us to innovate,

to progress further together and to believe in our bright future as pork producers.

30



$14 MILLION INVESTED IN NEW PROCESSING PLANT

The companys Agromex division over-

sees the slaughter and meat-cutting plant,

which processes about 15 percent of Que-

becs total hog production annually. The

company invested $14 million into the

plant last year, which allowed them to ex-

pand departments, add new equipment

and increase production capacity for prod-

ucts destined for international markets.

The grain division, a rigorously managed

transport services program, and their

highly-skilled research division round out

the companys operations. Finally, the

company-owned retail butcher shops pro-

vide customers with an opportunity to buy

directly from the farmer, a concept that is

growing in popularity among consumers

concerned about the sources of their food.

Commitment to quality, innovation and

long-standing traditions will serve F. Me-

nard as they look to the future. Long-term

plans include expanding their processing

capacity, continually improving animal wel-

fare in their breeding facilities and ongoing

progress in environmental protection. Be-

coming best in the world is within their

sights.

To learn more about F. Menard, visit

www.fmenard.com.

to this dAy, F. MnArd cAn proudly clAiM thAt it hAs Achieved enviAble prosperity. the FAMily coMpAny

hAs grown thAnks to its AssociAtes innovAtive spirit And vision.

a shared suCCess

Our assOciate stOck farmers

Our clients

Our emplOyees

Our suppliers

however, we are well aware that without our associate stock farmers trust, without our suppliers expertise, without our employees work

and without our clients appreciation, none of this would be possible.

All our faithful collaborators have sided with us in our decisions, our choices and our orientations. today they still help us to innovate,

to progress further together and to believe in our bright future as pork producers.

30



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