On May 25, 1987  Surplec is officially registered by its President, Mario Lambert, who founded the company only days before. From his modest apartment in Sherbrooke, Québec, he managed electrical product inventory lists gathered from electricians and Eastern Township industries. These product lists are redistributed to the same clientele who favourably accept this new concept enabling them to avoid long delays and save a lot of money. These clients were also very pleased to see their stagnant inventory finally shift. It is an instant success!

January 1, 1988; opening of the first building (1000 sq ft) to store bought materials or store stock in consignment. March 12, 1988; Danny Bennett is the first employee hired in Surplec history. Later on he became shareholder, vice-president and is now President of Surplec Industrial inc. division.

The territory serviced by the company rapidly grew throughout Québec and the demand for breakers, panel boxes, cables and all types of used electrical products are for sure expanding. Buying surplus from all of the major sites in the 80’a and 90’s , Surplec offered the biggest potential and physical inventory in Canada.

January 1, 1990; the offices at 149 Godin (as is today) in St. Élie d’Orford, (now Sherbrooke), are unveiled. A 6 000 sq. ft.) warehouse is filled with teck cable, and other surplus. Nine other expansions have since been launched.

September 1991, Lucien Allard, with his vast experience in high voltage, brings another aspect to the company, the remanufacturing of products according to strict technical specifications.

In 1992, Roland Carbonneau joined the sales team…1993, opening of the Laval branch.

Still in 1993; expansion and installation of a 25 ton over head crane, a paint shop, reconditioning of cables, panel box remanufacturing, motor control center and high voltage equipment, ect. To manage these new workshops, we call upon Sylvain Roy,   (August 8, 1994) a renown electro mechanic from Westinghouse. He is now shareholder and Vice President of Surplec HV solutions. The same day, with the arrival of Michel Therriault, the position of comptroller is created.

Surplec technicians expertise, workshop remanufacturing and repair performances opened new doors for a new clientele and consultant firms offering greater range of opportunities for the company. Quality assurance being fundamental, Surplec obtained it’s ISO-9001 certification in July of 1997, becoming the first in its field in North America. In 1994, Surplec launched the Generator division thus enabling the company to include electrical groups in the purchases of complete electrical systems from disused factories. For the next three years, sales are limited to reconditioned generators.

In the fall of 1997, Groban (U.S.A.) offers Surplec to represent their products in Canada. Who would have known at that time, January of 1988, a major ice storm would hit Québec, allowing Surplec to sell over 1000 portable and industrial devices. With the Surplec Generator market already created, several other suppliers joined in on the activities.

Three other divisions were created throughout the year 2000 including the renaming the low voltage division to Surplec Industrial when Danny Bennett became President and main shareholder; others include Jocelyn Pellerin (Laval division), Serge Trépannier and Mario Lambert. Surplec Industrial now serves the Canadian clientele. The High Voltage division is renamed Surplec HV Solutions and its renown reputation spreads internationally. Mario Lambert, President and main shareholder relies on Sylvain Roy, Roland Carbonneau and Yannick Isabelle as his associates. A sales team made up of technicians and engineers assures the management of projects. This team, who benefit from an excellent evaluation from their clientele, are called on a regular basis to intervene so as to offer economical solutions and delay solutions with remanufactured equipment. The company’s transformer surplus inventory is the largest in Canada. Furthermore, Surplec HV represents several manufacturers of new equipment. When Mitsubishi electric mandated Surplec HV to represent them, they did not doubt their upcoming success on Quebec soil. Hundreds of 145 to 245 kV breakers made with Québec components, commissioning and training were delivered. Here goes another round developed by HV. Nowadays, transformers made in the U.S.A. and China pass through the new Surplec HV factory and installed on the North American continent. Moreover, the circumstances favoured Surplec HV repair activities because installation facilities in North America must assure the durability of refurbished equipment. Surplec HV along with their team and installations are in an enviable position for the next several years. Groupe Surplec’s future is very promising!

Presidents word;

20 years already? We didn’t see them go by, to busy inventing new ways, walking through unknown terrain. Very passionate in finding, convincing, building and growing….

A long and wonderful journey with colleagues, clients, clients who support us. Honours from the electrical industry, political and environmental. What makes our strength and what makes me proud; our capacity to adapt to the most difficult demands and seize opportunities for good business of all kinds. I built a good team, the team built a good enterprise. Thank you all

Mario Lambert,

President and founder