The Quebec manufacturer of the famous orange chairs that we see everywhere in our schools has trouble digesting that certain school centers in his part of the country shun him and opt instead for furniture ” Made in USA ».
“I have 140 employees who pay taxes. I generate $4 million in salary per year in my five factories in the Farnham area,” sighs Gilles Berthiaume, CEO of Alpha-Vico.
“They bought American tables from the KI company at the Mgr-Douville School in Farnham. They paid more than $2500 each for them (the 10-footer), while I made them at $1500 (the 12-footer)”, he maintains.
What makes it stand out is that the tables are not only more expensive, but shorter, so fewer students can sit on them.
However, in the county of Brome-Missisquoi, the manufacturer Alpha-Vico is visible. He participates in the activities of the region. He and his sister, Claudine, sometimes even serve lunches for neighborhood students.
“American companies will not sponsor our sports teams. They don’t make spaghetti supper with us, ”says the one who manages sales at her side.
“I don’t understand why American standards are required, when we are talking regarding the Blue Basket and buying local. It’s not consistent, ”drops Annie Messier, in sales with her, hanging between a customer visit.
While people are snapping up their chairs, desks and tables elsewhere, Alpha-Vico has trouble grasping the appeal of ” Made in USA » in the midst of the buy local campaign.
Forced layoffs
Today, some descriptions are even written in English with American standards to eliminate them, suggests Gilles Berthiaume.
“Not all schools do this. We have good customers across the country. There are professionals, ”he wants to qualify, however.
Still, the decisions of some leave him with a bitter taste, which has impacts even on the factory floor. And what had to happen happened.
“I thanked twenty employees last week because orders fell,” shares Gilles Berthiaume of Alpha-Vico with emotion.
What irritates the businessman to the highest point is that the chairs chosen are often more expensive in addition to being manufactured outside Quebec.
“They sometimes pay $135 for a chair, when they can get it for $35, so 1,000 chairs is $100,000 more,” complains the entrepreneur.
Centers on the defensive
Questioned by The newspaperschool centers were quick to defend themselves.
“We will not grant an interview on the subject, because we spoke with them just yesterday. [13 septembre]concerning the reasons for non-compliance for which the application of this company was not selected during the public call for tenders”, replied Audrey Leboeuf, to communications from the Center de services scolaire du Val-des-Cerfs .
Au Journalthe center claimed to have complied with the call for tenders for the purchase of 16 tables via the Comite d’achats grouped de la Montérégie et de l’Estrie.
A hundred kilometers away, at the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Service Center, her spokesperson Mélanie Simard said she had done everything in order.
“As a public body, we ensure that the rules governing acquisitions are applied and enforced. [biens et services] and work from the definition of a need,” she said.
“You will understand that we cannot give details of the bids submitted by companies interested in the needs we have,” she summarized.
Fondation : 1980
Employees : 140
Factories : 5
Clients (pays) : Canada, United States
Products: chairs, desks, folding tables, stools
Source : Alpha-Vico
