24.06.2022

Lou-Tec acquires Accès Location +

Quebec-based rental group Lou-Tec has acquired Quebec based aerial lift rental specialist Accès Location +.

Groupe Lou-Tec was established in 1979 and is based in Anjou, Montreal. It is one of the largest equipment rental companies in Quebec, operating a mixed fleet of around 3,000 units including aerial lifts and telehandlers from 27 locations, mostly in Quebec, with around 400 employees. It is funded by Sagard Private Equity Canada, Walter Capital, Investissement Québec, BDC Capital, and Fonds de solidarité FTQ.

Access location+ runs a fleet of around 1,500 aerial lifts and telehandlers from three locations, the headquarters in Beloeil, on the east side of Montreal, with branches in Laval on the west side of Montreal and Quebec City, with 70 employees.

The plan is to retain the Access Location + brand name, but integrate the business with Lou-Tec to offer its customers a wider range of equipment and a larger range of aerial lifts and telehandlers. Jean-Marc Dallaire will continue as chief executive while Luc Bertrand will join Lou-Tec’s executive committee as vice president, development, strategies and marketing for Lou-Tec.

Access Location + traces its roots back to 2004 when Harold Dubé began an equipment rental business Groupe Solubrik specialising in pressure washing and bricks colouring with four aerial work platforms, which were rented out to other contractors when not in use. During the year the fleet was expanded to 30 units.

The success of the aerial lift rental operation led to the setting up of Accès Location + in 2005 with sales, repairs and servicing added to the company’s activities. In 2011 current chief executive Luc Bertrand became a co-owner after five years working with the company. In 2018 Bertrand took over the company from Dubé and became chief executive.
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Jean-Marc Dallaire of Lou-Tec (L) with Luc Bertrand of Access Location+

Jean-Marc Dallaire said: “With the support of our financial partners, today we can consolidate our position as a Québec leader in the industry and we are taking an important step towards achieving our vision of becoming a major player across the country by 2030. The acquisition of Accès Location+ allows us to bring together passionate people who are committed to meeting our customers’ most demanding requirements and who are proud to share their expertise and know how.”

Luc Bertrand added: “We are turning an important chapter in the history of Accès Location+ and it is a privilege to join Lou-Tec, a Québec-based company that works with the same rigor and concern for providing the quality service our customers have come to expect. Together and thanks to our common values, we will be stronger in fulfilling the company’s vision and developing our market share in Québec and Canada.”

Lou-Tec chairman Marie-Claude Boisvert, head of Sagard Private Equity Canada said: “We are very pleased to support this transformative acquisition for our portfolio company, Lou-Tec, along with our partners, Walter Capital, Investissement Québec, BDC Capital and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.” “We are proud to support the Lou-Tec team in its growth plans and are delighted to welcome the Accès Location+ team. We are convinced that the union of these two outstanding companies will be beneficial to the employees, customers and suppliers of Accès Location and Lou-Tec.”