Simard Suspensions Inc. has been working on trucks both small and large ever since its foundation in 1935. The company has never stopped progressing and innovating to best meet the needs of its customers, making it a name trusted internationally for heavy vehicle load distribution.
André-Marie Simard, Founding President
When Emmanuel Simard opened his forge, he sowed the seeds of a future Baie-Saint-Paul success story. Nearly 20 years later, his son André-Marie would join him and add a whole new dimension to the company by focusing specifically on heavy vehicle repair and maintenance. Simard ingenuity was already beginning to shine.
After taking the reins and leading the company through an exciting decade of growth, André-Marie took on his first truck retrofittings. Simard Suspensions Inc. invented the innovative AMS tandem spring suspension system, which would be granted Canadian and American patents two years later. The company has been setting itself apart from competition ever since.
After making major breakthroughs in North American markets, the Simard Suspensions name traveled as far as South America, Australia where contracts are today underway.
The company developed two new suspension models – a front tandem air suspension system primarily for dump trucks and a rear tridem suspension system specifically for forestry and oil industry vehicles. Both were granted Canadian and American patents.
In 2003, Simard Suspensions Inc. acquired a building in Stony Plain, Alberta to meet increasing orders from Oil field and Construction customers. The company can now serves Western Canada and the US with more competitive transportation costs.
To better meet market requirements, Simard Suspensions has begun integrating a continuous improvement production system linked to a quality insurance program. New markets are opening up in South America and Asia-Pacific. New partnerships with truck and engine manufacturers are helping to meet new EPA ’07 requirements and prepare for EPA 10.
In preparation for the arrival of new EPA related technologies and constant changes in the industry, Simard Suspensions has invested heavily in the expansion of the main plant facility and doubling the production area. At the same time we have undertaken to improve our processes by implementing "Lean Manufacturing" methods based on the Toyota Production System.
While substantially improving our capacity, we developed a division devoted to the installation of specialized equipment. In partnership with various North American manufacturers, we offer the installation of concrete mixers, dump boxes and snow removal equipment. This offers our customers added value in reducing delivery lead times to complete your vehicle available for work right out of our workshops. In addition to being the industry standard for twin steer conversions, we now offer a more comprehensive service packages for your heavy vehicle.
Having passed the 75-year history mark, our founding president André-Marie Simard has passed over the leadership of this world-class company. Chaired by Mr David Tremblay, the team Simard is prepared for the future by working vigorously to obtain ISO 9001-2008 certification. The development of new suspensions added to the introduction of new technologies for electro-hydraulic steering systems into the North American market will contribute to the growth typical of the Simard history. Innovation, expertise and skills here to stay and to serve our customers.
