Cantrex promotes Goudreau, looks to expand
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, February 10, 2002
St. Laurent, Quebec — Michel Goudreau has been named vice president and general manager of Cantrex Group, Canada's largest home furnishings buying and marketing group.
A Cantrex veteran, Goudreau was vice president of finance and administration under retired President Claude Lalonde. Taking over as vice president/administration is Claude Lapierre, who was controller.
Goudreau reports to Peter Kelly, president of Cantrex and also president of TransAmerica Commercial Finance (Canada), which acquired the group in 1998.
Goudreau said Cantrex will seek to expand its programs and membership across the country. Much like rival buying group Mega Group, Cantrex is tightening controls on its major programs, aiming to ensure the profitability of its dealers, mainly smaller merchants.
In Quebec, significant changes will be made to Le Meubleur. The 20-store furniture banner has created two committees to drive its activities, which will be more coordinated than before, said Bernard St. Charles, vice president and general manager/furniture and appliances for Quebec.
"It's not going to be called a banner anymore; it's going to be a dealership," St. Charles said. "It's becoming a member-driven group that has a strong commitment to its suppliers."
Le Meubleur will hire a field supervisor to ensure the programs are being executed.
The other priority in Quebec will be development of the Décor Centre program, a concept that combines Corbeil Electromenagers, its household appliance franchise, with Tendances Meubles and Idem, a furniture store targeted at younger consumers. Cantrex currently has two Décor Centre stores, in Sherbrooke and St. Jean.
"This concept will have slow, controlled growth," Goudreau said. "If we open two more over the year we will be pleased."
In Ontario, Western and Atlantic Canada, the priorities will include expansion of Club 3000, a program for non-banner furniture stores, and Furniture Plus, Cantrex's largest furniture banner.
"Furniture Plus is becoming the fourth-largest chain of furniture stores in the country," Goudreau said.
He said Cantrex would seek to expand Corbeil outside Quebec under newly named Corbeil President Tom Kattas. He previously was president of what is now MemberWorks Canada Corp. and has an extensive background in the appliance and consumer electronics industries.
In another move, Jacques Lecavalier has become vice president in charge of special projects, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities as general manager of the consumer electronics and photography divisions.
Lecavalier is responsible for programs such as retail financing, extended warranties and group insurance, while heading a new computer retailing initiative.
"He will be in charge of creating more products and services for our members," Goudreau said, adding that Lecavalier will remain for the time being responsible for Cantrex's floor covering division.
Retaining their responsibilities are Derek Penney, vice president and general manager/furniture and appliances for Ontario, Western and Atlantic Canada; and Chris Sutherland, general manager of the national appliance program.
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