On November 1, 2024, Congebec, the largest provider of refrigeration services in Quebec and one of the largest in Canada, celebrates its 50th year in business. Under the leadership of CEO Nicholas-P. Pedneault, Congebec has expanded significantly over the past decades, driven by the same dedication to supporting Canadian businesses and food security it has always had.
Reflecting on the company’s half-century legacy, Pedneault says he could not have predicted Congebec’s success when his father founded it in 1974 in Quebec City. One of the milestones of the business was expanding from Quebec City to Montreal—an exponential growth. Every expansion since has felt like the same leap of faith, whether it be from Quebec to Ontario, and then Ontario to Western Canada.
When Congebec first thought of expansion, recalls Pendault, it was in their “wildest dreams” to make it to the bigger Montreal market. “If you are from Québec City, which is a rather small city, it is a big step to branch out into the Montreal market,” he says. “We wanted to kickstart the growth from Québec city and see where we could take it. In our wildest dreams, we would make it to Montreal.”
Congebec not only “made it” in Montreal, it thrived. Through a mixture of acquisitions and organic growth, Congebec became the number one player in Quebec, and has not looked back, becoming one of Canada’s most reliant and successful refrigeration services companies.
Growth Through Strategic Expansion
One of Congebec’s most notable achievements in recent years is its new multi-temperature facility in Mascouche. The facility was designed with versatility in mind, capable of handling a broad range of storage requirements to add a significant additional capacity built-in for the refrigeration industry in Quebec.
“The Mascouche facility is a testament to our commitment to growth and innovation,” says Pedneault. “We recognized a need for more storage solutions that could cater to various temperatures, and our team worked diligently to bring this vision to life.” The new facility not only enhances Congebec’s ability to store a wider variety of products but also provides increased capacity to better serve customers across Canada.
“It’s really about staying ahead of the game, staying ahead of the customers’ needs,” says Pedneault. “In our industry, you cannot wait for the customer to need you—you have to anticipate, you have to make sure that you have the ability to grow with them.”
Pedneault explains that Congebec’s expansion has been guided by a clear understanding of where their services are most needed. “Each time we add a facility, it’s because we’ve listened to our customers and anticipated market demand. We strategically choose locations that allow us to best support national and local production and distribution channels.”
Partnering with ROSEFELLOW and Skyline on the Mascouche project, Congebec was able to bring a collaborative approach to its construction. “Working with them allowed us to incorporate sustainable building practices and ensure that the facility was built to last,” says Pedneault. This partnership highlights Congebec’s dedication to not only business growth but also to environmentally conscious practices.
Beyond just developing new locations, Congebec has invested heavily in technology and infrastructure within its facilities, allowing for better inventory management, improved energy efficiency, and faster, more accurate fulfillment. “Our growth is a testament to the hard work of our team and the trust our clients place in us,” says Pedneault. “We are focused on growing our service offering. But it means more transportation and more services in more regions.”
Supporting Canada’s Food Security and Supply Chain
One of the most significant impacts of Congebec’s operations is on Canada’s food security. By providing reliable cold storage solutions, Congebec plays an essential role in ensuring that perishable items reach consumers safely. Pedneault sees this as a core responsibility of the company.
This September, Catherine Lambert, Communications, Employer Branding and Government Affairs Strategist, presented Congebec’s unique Food Recovery Initiative at the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) Annual Convention. This initiative, now in its first successful year, is a structured donation program that directly supports Les Banques alimentaires du Québec through strategic partnerships in the cold supply chain sector.
By offering freezer space in its multi-temperature facilities, Congebec helps reduce food waste and channels 500,000 kg of food from its customers every month. “We understand the importance of food security, especially in a country as vast as Canada. Our cold-chain solutions are designed to ensure that food products are stored and transported in a way that maintains their quality and safety,” says Pedneault. “Canada relies on a stable, efficient supply chain, and our services help make that possible.”
Leading in Sustainability
Congebec has made efforts to implement cutting-edge systems that minimize energy use without compromising performance.
“We use advanced insulation, innovative refrigeration systems and LED lighting to name a few strategies to make sure we’re as energy-efficient as possible. It’s a win-win for the environment and for our operational costs,” says Pedneault. “By making our facilities more sustainable, we’re creating a model that will benefit not only our company but the entire industry in the long run.”
Preparing for the Future
Looking forward, Congebec is poised to continue its expansion and innovation. Pedneault and his team remain focused on staying ahead of industry trends, whether that means investing in new technology, developing even more sustainable practices, or exploring potential markets for further growth.
“We’re always preparing for the future—our industry is evolving quickly, and we are committed to evolving along with it. By focusing on sustainable growth, we are building a legacy that will continue to support Canadian businesses and communities for years to come.”
In an industry that operates largely behind the scenes, Congebec’s influence is felt widely. From ensuring that essential goods reach Canadian consumers safely to advancing environmentally conscious practices within logistics, the company stands out as a model of innovation and responsibility. “Our mission is to keep Canada’s cold chain running smoothly, but our vision is to make it sustainable for future generations,” says Pedneault.
For Congebec’s CEO, the company’s success is a reflection of a special connection between its customers and employees. “The saying ‘If you shoot for the moon, you can end up in the stars’ really is true”, says Pedneault. “We have fifty years of knowledge, and experiences—and each day is built on trust. We fight with everything we’ve got to retain that trust, because we are incredibly privileged and grateful for the trust that we have with our customers and our employees, and we’ll make sure we keep it for the next fifty.”
Please visit https://congebec.com/en/ for more information on Congebec.
