About SOPREMA – Sustainable and Innovative Solutions for Builders
The History of a Century-Old Company
Founded in 1908 by Charles Geisen in Strasbourg, France, SOPREMA has flourished through a combination of innovation, expertise and family commitment. Passed down from generation to generation, first to Pierre Geisen and then to Pierre-Étienne Bindschedler, the company has evolved while remaining true to its mission: to offer sustainable and innovative solutions for builders.
Today, with Pierre-Étienne Bindschedler as Group President and Richard Voyer as CEO, Canada and International, SOPREMA continues to expand its global reach, guided by a responsible and forward-looking vision.
Since its inception, SOPREMA has protected living spaces and improved the well-being of individuals through sustainable and innovative waterproofing, insulation, soundproofing and vegetated solutions for builders in the roofing, building envelope and civil engineering sectors.
The Establishment of SOPREMA in Canada
Since beginning operations in Canada in 1978, SOPREMA has manufactured and installed millions of square metres of membranes. Each year, thousands of building professionals choose SOPREMA for the quality of its products and its people-focused approach to service.
As a nationally well-established manufacturing company, SOPREMA designs and manufactures a large part of its products in Canada, by Canadians, in local and specialized facilities. All our products are developed with the firm conviction that the quality, durability and reliability of materials must match builders’ ambitions and expectations.
Today, SOPREMA has more than 1,000 employees in Canada spread across 14 manufacturing plants, 11 sales offices in every province, as well as its North American R&D Centre in Drummondville, Québec. SOPREMA is a key innovative player in the construction sector and a trusted partner for building the infrastructure of tomorrow.
The Establishment of SOPREMA in Canada
Since beginning operations in Canada in 1978, SOPREMA has manufactured and installed millions of square metres of membranes. Each year, thousands of building professionals choose SOPREMA for the quality of its products and its people-focused approach to service.
As a nationally well-established manufacturing company, SOPREMA designs and manufactures a large part of its products in Canada, by Canadians, in local and specialized facilities. All our products are developed with the firm conviction that the quality, durability and reliability of materials must match builders’ ambitions and expectations.
Today, SOPREMA has more than 1,000 employees in Canada spread across 14 manufacturing plants, 11 sales offices in every province, as well as its North American R&D Centre in Drummondville, Québec. SOPREMA is a key innovative player in the construction sector and a trusted partner for building the infrastructure of tomorrow.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
Building for Life.
A century-old company recognizes its influence and the importance of the role it must play for the future. At SOPREMA, this conviction drives us to move the construction industry toward smarter, more responsible and more resilient environments around the world.
Knowing that everything we do on a daily basis impacts tomorrow, it’s up to each and every one of us to make that impact a positive one.
Because Earth is also our home, we must do everything we can to keep it healthy.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
Building for Life.
A century-old company recognizes its influence and the importance of the role it must play for the future. At SOPREMA, this conviction drives us to move the construction industry toward smarter, more responsible and more resilient environments around the world.
Knowing that everything we do on a daily basis impacts tomorrow, it’s up to each and every one of us to make that impact a positive one.
Because Earth is also our home, we must do everything we can to keep it healthy.
Our Vision
To protect living spaces and improve people’s well-being through sustainable and innovative solutions for builders.
Our Vision
To protect living spaces and improve people’s well-being through sustainable and innovative solutions for builders.
Our Values
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Success
Our strength to innovate and constantly progress is driven by each of our ambitious and dedicated people who put their entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed at the service of the community to find concrete solutions to crucial challenges.
Being Respectful by Nature
For us, integrity, fairness, attentive listening and respect form the cornerstone of our relationships with customers, employees and the community. All our actions are guided by a desire to learn and move forward with humility, seizing every opportunity to improve ourselves.
Daring to Care
Leading by example requires courage, but above all, knowing how to surround oneself with the best people, promoting collaboration and nurturing deep and sincere relationships. It also involves daring to think beyond the short-term, anticipating needs, breaking from convention, and placing the well-being of others at the centre of our decisions and actions.
Building for Tomorrow
With over a century of experience in construction, we know that building with integrity requires rigour, perseverance and reliability. We design intelligently and with sustainability in mind, driven by our desire to redefine industry standards and lead the evolution of our profession.
Our Values
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Success
Our strength to innovate and constantly progress is driven by each of our ambitious and dedicated people who put their entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed at the service of the community to find concrete solutions to crucial challenges.
Being Respectful by Nature
For us, integrity, fairness, attentive listening and respect form the cornerstone of our relationships with customers, employees and the community. All our actions are guided by a desire to learn and move forward with humility, seizing every opportunity to improve ourselves.
Daring to Care
Leading by example requires courage, but above all, knowing how to surround oneself with the best people, promoting collaboration and nurturing deep and sincere relationships. It also involves daring to think beyond the short-term, anticipating needs, breaking from convention, and placing the well-being of others at the centre of our decisions and actions.
Building for Tomorrow
With over a century of experience in construction, we know that building with integrity requires rigour, perseverance and reliability. We design intelligently and with sustainability in mind, driven by our desire to redefine industry standards and lead the evolution of our profession.
SOPREMA by the Numbers
Since its founding, SOPREMA has established itself internationally as a key player in the construction sector. Our sustained growth is based on a strategic presence, recognized industrial expertise, and the ongoing commitment of our teams. This following data illustrates the scope of our activities, the trust our partners place in us, and our commitment to actively contributing to the evolution of the industry.
North American headquarters located in Drummondville, Québec
Head office located in Strasbourg, France
History of SOPREMA
1908 to 1975
1908
Charles GEISEN, a building materials merchant, founds Usines Alsaciennes d’Émulsions in Strasbourg, France.
1909
Mr. GEISEN discovers a material that is impermeable yet flexible and easy to install: burlap cloth dipped in hot bitumen. As the finished product resembles elephant skin, it was named “MAMMOUTH” (French word for mammoth). Some installations of this product have not been touched since, some of them dating back more than 80 years.
1933
Charles GEISEN’s son, Pierre GEISEN, takes over the management of the company.
1941
The company builds a factory in Avignon, France, and sets up SOPREMA (SOciété des Produits et Revêtements d’Étanchéité MAmmouth [mammoth waterproofing product and coating company]).
1975
The Strasbourg laboratory develops SOPRALENE, the first line of waterproofing coatings using SBS elastomer bitumen.
1978 to 1989
1978
Market development extends to Canada. A Canadian subsidiary is established in Québec to introduce the SOPRALENE line on the continent.
1978
SOPREMA Canada establishes its head office in Drummondville, Québec.
1981
The growing demand for air barrier solutions creates an opportunity for SOPREMA in the building envelope construction products sector. In collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, SOPREMA designs the SOPRASEAL 180 air/vapour barrier.
1982
SOPREMA Canada enters the parking deck and foundation waterproofing market.
1984
SOPREMA opens its first factory for the manufacturing of its products in Canada, in Drummondville.
1987
The SOPREMA product offering continues to expand with a new focus on waterproofing products for bridges.
1992 to 1999
1992
Pierre GEISEN hands over the management of the company to his grandson, Pierre-Étienne BINDSCHEDLER.
1995
SOPREMA launches its brand new SOPRANATURE vegetated roof system, which transforms roofs of all kinds into green spaces while ensuring complete waterproofing.
1996
SOPREMA breaks new ground with the creation of a North American research and development department at its Drummondville plant.
1996
A new unit is added to the Drummondville facility for the production of self-adhesive roofing and air barrier membranes. This same unit also allows SOPREMA to launch its RESISTO product line aimed at the residential market.
1998
SOPREMA presents the MACADEN, its latest innovation in the field of SBS-modified bitumen membranes. This is the first device designed for the automated installation of sheet waterproofing membranes on bridges and parking decks.
1999
SOPREMA opens a second Canadian manufacturing plant in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
2011 to 2018
2011
Richard VOYER is appointed Executive Vice-President and CEO of SOPREMA North America.
2012
SOPREMA acquires 100% of Convoy, a North American distributor of building and roofing materials.
2016
SOPREMA acquires Chem Link, a producer of polymer, and Benolec, a manufacturer of cellulosic products.
2017
SOPREMA opens a factory in China for the production of PVC waterproofing membranes, and acquires ModulR TS, a company specializing in the development of factory-laminated roof insulation.
2019 to Today
2020
SOPREMA opens an SBS-modified bitumen membrane manufacturing plant in Woodstock, Ontario.
2021
SOPREMA acquires Can-Cell Industries, a Canadian company located in Edmonton, Alberta, specializing in the production and distribution of insulation products, building materials and building solutions.
2023
SOPREMA acquires Prairie Fibre, a company specializing in the production of cellulose insulation located in Steinbach, Manitoba.
2024
SOPREMA acquires Nu-Wool and CMS, two companies specialized in cellulose insulation located in Jenison, Michigan.
1908 to 1975
Charles GEISEN, a building materials merchant, founds Usines Alsaciennes d’Émulsions in Strasbourg, France.
Mr. GEISEN discovers a material that is impermeable yet flexible and easy to install: burlap cloth dipped in hot bitumen. As the finished product resembles elephant skin, it was named “MAMMOUTH” (French word for mammoth). Some installations of this product have not been touched since, some of them dating back more than 80 years.
Charles GEISEN’s son, Pierre GEISEN, takes over the management of the company.
The company builds a factory in Avignon, France, and sets up SOPREMA (SOciété des Produits et Revêtements d’Étanchéité MAmmouth [mammoth waterproofing product and coating company]).
The Strasbourg laboratory develops SOPRALENE, the first line of waterproofing coatings using SBS elastomer bitumen.
1978 to 1989
Market development extends to Canada. A Canadian subsidiary is established in Québec to introduce the SOPRALENE line on the continent.
SOPREMA Canada establishes its head office in Drummondville, Québec.
The growing demand for air barrier solutions creates an opportunity for SOPREMA in the building envelope construction products sector. In collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, SOPREMA designs the SOPRASEAL 180 air/vapour barrier.
SOPREMA Canada enters the parking deck and foundation waterproofing market.
SOPREMA opens its first factory for the manufacturing of its products in Canada, in Drummondville.
The SOPREMA product offering continues to expand with a new focus on waterproofing products for bridges.
1992 to 1999
Pierre GEISEN hands over the management of the company to his grandson, Pierre-Étienne BINDSCHEDLER.
SOPREMA launches its brand new SOPRANATURE vegetated roof system, which transforms roofs of all kinds into green spaces while ensuring complete waterproofing.
SOPREMA breaks new ground with the creation of a North American research and development department at its Drummondville plant.
A new unit is added to the Drummondville facility for the production of self-adhesive roofing and air barrier membranes. This same unit also allows SOPREMA to launch its RESISTO product line aimed at the residential market.
SOPREMA presents the MACADEN, its latest innovation in the field of SBS-modified bitumen membranes. This is the first device designed for the automated installation of sheet waterproofing membranes on bridges and parking decks.
SOPREMA opens a second Canadian manufacturing plant in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
2011 to 2018
Richard VOYER is appointed Executive Vice-President and CEO of SOPREMA North America.
SOPREMA acquires 100% of Convoy, a North American distributor of building and roofing materials.
OPREMA opens a polyisocyanurate manufacturing plant in Drummondville, Québec.
SOPREMA acquires Chem Link, a producer of polymer, and Benolec, a manufacturer of cellulosic products.
SOPREMA opens a factory in China for the production of PVC waterproofing membranes, and acquires ModulR TS, a company specializing in the development of factory-laminated roof insulation.
SOPREMA opens an extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturing plant in Sherbrooke, Québec.
2019 to Today
SOPREMA opens an SBS-modified bitumen membrane manufacturing plant in Woodstock, Ontario.
SOPREMA acquires Can-Cell Industries, a Canadian company located in Edmonton, Alberta, specializing in the production and distribution of insulation products, building materials and building solutions.
A new polyurethane (SPF) production line is established in Drummondville, Québec.
SOPREMA acquires Prairie Fibre, a company specializing in the production of cellulose insulation located in Steinbach, Manitoba.
SOPREMA acquires Nu-Wool and CMS, two companies specialized in cellulose insulation located in Jenison, Michigan.
Any questions about SOPREMA Canada?
You can reach our team through the Contact an Expert page on our website. Our representatives are available across Canada to assist you in carrying out your projects, from planning to execution.
SOPREMA is a French company founded in 1908 in Strasbourg. It was established in Canada in 1978, where it now has 14 manufacturing plants, 11 sales offices, and an R&D Centre in Drummondville, Québec.
Yes, many SOPREMA products are manufactured in Canada in our plants located across the country.
We are proud to be part of the WELL MADE HERE program, an initiative that promotes high-quality building materials made in Canada. This partnership allows us to identify our Canadian products with a clear and distinctive logo, both in stores and online, to help professionals and consumers make informed choices.
You can easily find our Canadian products using a dedicated “Made-in-Canada” filter on our website or by visiting our pre-filtered Products & Systems online catalogue.
SOPREMA designs and manufactures a wide range of products for the construction sector, including the following:
- Waterproofing systems for roofs, foundations, swimming pools and civil engineering structures
- Thermal and acoustic insulation products
- Vegetated roof systems
- Air and vapour barrier products and membranes for the building envelope
SOPREMA has been integrating sustainable development into its activities for over 20 years. As a manufacturer of building products, it is essential for SOPREMA to promote sustainable development and to contribute to the well-being of current and future generations.
This goal is achieved through the progressive integration of renewable and recyclable resources, the design of solutions aimed at better responding to environmental challenges, such as the SOPRANATURE, SOPRASTAR and SOPRASOLAR lines, as well as the implementation of an official sustainable development policy in 2019. This approach is designed to improve our practices, strengthen our positive impact and offer solutions adapted to challenges facing the construction industry today and tomorrow.
Yes, SOPREMA offers specialized technical training to construction professionals across Canada. These programs are designed to deepen knowledge of our products, systems and installation best practices.
The training courses are held at our dedicated training centres, online or on-site, depending on specific needs, and are designed for architects, contractors, installers, distributors and other professionals in the construction industry. To learn more or register, visit the Training for Installers or Lunch & Learn Presentations section of our website.
It is an acronym derived from SOciété des Produits et Revêtements d’Étanchéité MAmmouth (mammoth waterproofing product and coating company).
It is an acronym derived from SOciété des Produits et Revêtements d’Étanchéité MAmmouth (mammoth waterproofing product and coating company).
Find Out More about SOPREMA
Technical Support Team
Backed by the expertise and accessibility of our technical team, we support construction professionals at every stage of their projects. Get personalized support, from planning execution.
Job Opportunities
Do you want to help build a more sustainable world? Explore current job openings and learn how you can become part of the SOPREMA team.
News
Check out our News section for the latest stories on SOPREMA projects and innovations.
Find Out More about SOPREMA
Technical Support Team
Backed by the expertise and accessibility of our technical team, we support construction professionals at every stage of their projects. Get personalized support, from planning execution.
Job Opportunities
Do you want to help build a more sustainable world? Explore current job openings and learn how you can become part of the SOPREMA team.
News
Check out our News section for the latest stories on SOPREMA projects and innovations.