Special Report Legault Group
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ast summer, the Legault Group, ed in 1938 by Joseph-Émilien Mon- pany stays attuned and responsive to which owns the Mondou retail chain dou. My training allowed me to handle the needs of the communities it serves. —both based in Quebec, Canada—made not only the accounting aspects of the In both 2020 and 2021, it was recits first business foray outside of the transaction but also the legal side.” ognized among the prestigious Canaprovince by acquiring Ren’s Pets, based Under the Legault family’s leader- da’s Best Managed Companies by the in neighboring Ontario. reputable firm DeCompany leadership “It confirms Mondou's status as a leader in its field and in the wider loitte, lauded for its has indicated the move corporate strategy, business community. We extend our warmest thanks to our devoted is in line with long-term and passionate employees, our experienced management team and our innovative approach goals to not only grow valued partners who successfully rose to the challenges we have faced and commitment to in physical store count in the past year. With the support of this exceptional team, Mondou was its employees and but also to expand om- able to provide its customers with an experience that goes beyond their the community. Denichannel capabilities. schênes said in 2021 expectations, despite the pandemic and the restrictions in place.” The acquisition will also of the award, “It con— Martin Deschênes, CEO of Legault Group solidify and strengthen firms Mondou's status the Legault Group’s veras a leader in its field tically integrated infrastructure, which ship, Mondou had grown to 36 stores by and in the wider business community. in turn better protects its production 2001 and by 2018 during its 80th anni- We extend our warmest thanks to our integrity. Brothers Jules and Philippe versary, increased its store count to 65 devoted and passionate employees, our Legault have built a sizable enterprise across Quebec. Meanwhile, the Legault experienced management team and since they first purchased the Mondou Group in 1993 started its own line of our valued partners who successfully banner in 1983. However, the family’s dog and cat food, Vetdiet, which is sold rose to the challenges we have faced in success is rooted in humble beginnings, exclusively in Mondou stores and on the the past year. With the support of this and the measured approach to growth company website. The Legault Group exceptional team, Mondou was able to and expansion that the Legault Group also co-owns Jupiter, a company that provide its customers with an experihas taken in the last few decades re- specializes in the production of dry cat ence that goes beyond their expectaflects how well it has balanced ambition and dog food. tions, despite the pandemic and the reand responsibility in this ever-evolving The acquisition of Ren’s Pets this strictions in place." pet industry. summer not only added 35 stores to the Recent new concepts that Mondou Legault Group’s total store count but has implemented include installing Company History Jules Legault, President and co-own- also an additional distribution center sub-zero refrigeration in more than a er of Legault Group, recounts the fam- in Guelph, Ontario. "This transaction dozen stores to carry a wider variety of ily’s roots in business. “With only a is part of Legault Group's growth plan, frozen raw pet food, as well as smaller third-grade education, my grandfather which is based on expanding our activi- neighborhood stores that also offer free Jules Legault started a seed company in ties in Canada through acquisitions and services like nail clipping, dog washing, 1919, Gloco,” he told Pet Insight recent- partnerships focused on innovation," dog scales and car service. “Smaller in size, these stores allow ly. “When he died in 1944, my father said Martin Deschênes, CEO of Legault took over the business and in 1978 he Group. "It will allow both companies to us to get closer to customers in urban asked me to join him. I had completed combine their strengths and accelerate neighborhoods,” Deschênes explained my university studies in finance and their growth in Canada by opening new in media reports. “They appeal to the accounting three years earlier and was stores through an agile and flexible ap- community. People come there, often on foot, with their animals.” working at Pricewaterhouse as an ac- proach." Mondou created a continuing educacountant.” Mondou Gloco, which is still running and has Jules Legault indicated the compa- tion program Mondou Academy in 2007 expanded to organic fertilizers as well, ny expects to have 76 Mondou stores led by veterinarians and vet technicians was already doing business with Mon- open in Quebec by year end, employing that helps staff stay up-to-date on indou, a company that at the time was upwards of 1,100 people. Through its dustry best practices and to further selling grain and hay for working ani- well-paced and steady growth, Mon- develop their overall understanding of mals and straw for livestock. “In 1983, dou now stands out in the Canadian animal care. This fall—as further illustration of I suggested to my brother Philippe that pet industry landscape as much more we buy the Mondou store that we sold than simply a pet supplies company. Its Mondou’s commitment to animal welseeds and bird food to. Located in Mon- stores and employees are a trusted re- fare and in line with several municipal treal’s Jean-Talon market, this iconic source for pet owners on a multitude of regulations banning the use of aversive store is still open today and was found- animal welfare topics, which the comr Cont'd on Pg. 6
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