History

 

 

 






The Making of a Dream  
“You can’t do business with an empty wagon” – so a wise older businessman advised Maska’s President in 1970, of the importance of stocking a lot of inventory if he wanted to join in the game with the larger players. Thus was taken one of the many decisions made over the decades that has resulted in Maska growing from a small village machine shop, to an ultra-modern manufacturing facility, complete with its own foundry and Distribution Centre.
Maska celebrated its 40th Anniversary, November 6, 2004, and the President, Mr. Yvon Fortier, reminisced about the turbulent past and humble beginnings that led to “realizing dreams that go back a long time, as a result of perseverance and an outstanding work team.”

A general welding and machining company was started in 1950, co-owned by Albert Fortier, father. Maska, as a legal entity and manufacturer of sheaves, came into existence in 1964 when pulley machining equipment was acquired from an existing business in Maskoutaine.

Company Founded 1964: Maska
First Order: $190
Time to produce: 3 days

“In the beginning, we had to go and pick up the raw materials to be machined for the week in the back of the station wagon at a neighbouring foundry.”

The 1st dream, expressed at this time by Maska founder, Mr. Albert Fortier, was – “imagine if one day the backyard was full of castings” (raw materials), meaning pending orders would be synonymous with good business. Today this dream is quite literally true as, despite repeated warehousing expansions, the back lot is still full of surplus castings waiting to be machined.

The 2nd dream of the visionary founder, Albert, was “imagine if one day we had equipment that would automatically turn out parts on its own, with a minimum of supervision!” The installation of Maska’s 5th robotic work cell is an initiative that has successfully allowed Maska to stay competitive in a global market and highlights the value of this foresighted aspiration.

The First Decades (1964 - 1984)

The first volume contract in 1968, was with a company that placed an order for parts that sold for $1.25 ea. and provided an initial momentum for future growth.

Tragedy strikes in 1971 with the premature death of Albert Fortier, only 51 years old. His oldest son, Yvon, unexpectedly inherits the pressure of taking over the family business at the age of 21.

The year 1974 sees the first contract awarded from a world-renowned agricultural company. This development led to introducing automated machining equipment to produce volume parts, expanding facilities, and more importantly, establishing Maska’s own foundry to ensure availability of raw materials.

Operating a foundry in the early years was no easy task and led to many hair-raising adventures. Yvon relates, laughing “in order to start-up the oven, we had to go to a neighbouring foundry about 10 miles away and bring back a container of molten metal (2,500° F) in the back of our truck. Considering that in the winter the roads could be very icy and slippery, it was a dangerous trip that could have had disastrous results!”

1979 – Maska rings in its first $1M in sales.
1981 – Factory expansion

 

 

 

 

 

1983 – 1st CNC machine, tantamount to quantity with quality. Plans are made to penetrate the U.S. market, 1st warehouse in CT.
1984+ – A period of automated operations through continued acquisition of CNC equipment, integration of computerized processes in all aspects of operations, intensive hiring of engineers, technicians & draughtsmen and investing deeply in a R&D department.

The Growing Years (1985-2005)

1985 – Establishing a Distribution Center.
1990 – Another slow economy crisis. Faces head on by investing deeply in inventory, an action that becomes a Maska trademark.
1992-5 – Twelve sales & warehousing locations in USA. Partnership with a large motor manufacturer for distribution in Canada - a winning team! Expansion after expansion in all facilities.
1996 – Exporting to Latin America & Europe.

France receives their 1st Maska shipment

 

 

 

 

 



1998 – 1st robotic cell unit to produce QD bushings – quality perfected!

 

 

 

 

 



2000 – New H.O., all manufacturing & administrative operations under the same roof.
2001 – Increased overseas competition! Continued investment in robotics/automated manufacturing, expanded product line, higher field inventory levels & expanded sales force (18 locations in USA).

Meeting with some of U.S. partners

 

 

 

 




2003 – Manufacturing expands overseas; an initiative that permits manufacturing a quality product at lowest cost, locally or abroad, depending on volume, type, size and lead-time requirements.
2004 – Fourth expansion of D.C. to 70,000 sq. ft. 3rd robotic cell with artificial vision. 21 locations in USA.
2005 – Warehousing operations reorganized and computerized, triple shipping output. 4th & 5th robotic cell. Inventory levels built to an all-time high, periods of 0 back orders!


The Future

“Maska has experienced 40 years of progress on every level possible. If the past reflects the future, if we maintain the beat, and if we continue to closely observe industry trends, then Maska’s prospects are very bright and we can look forward with optimism to the next decades to come.

The biggest challenge that we are now facing is the price war brought on by the invasion of overseas products. Maska will increase its position in the industry through continued efforts to offer competitive pricing, all the while maintaining the same level of quality. We have foreseen and been preparing for this eventuality for many years now.” -- Maska President, July 15, 2005

Coming Projects:
o Expanded D.C – again!
o Expanded product line
o Continued development of Latin American and European markets
o Penetration of additional international markets through partnerships
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Head Office: 180 Gagnon Blvd. Ste-Claire, Quebec, Canada G0R 2V0
Tel.: (418) 883-3322 • Sales Fax.: (418) 883-2020 • Admin. Fax: (418) 883-2885