PME inc.: a third female generation at Bralco

When they were little, Cynthya and Mélissa Beauchamp regularly played in the warehouse and made deliveries with their fathers Denis and Michel. Today, they have the task of ensuring the sustainability of the third generation of the family business which specializes in industrial, real estate and commercial lighting solutions.

“These are big shoes to fill and we want our grandfather (André, the founder) to be proud of us,” explains Cynthia Beauchamp, who is the president of Bralco. We want to keep the same values.”

The vice-president is his cousin Mélissa. She doesn’t like to talk about her title too much, even though she has worked for the company for over 18 years.

“I feel a bit like an impostor because I’ve been doing the same job since the beginning,” she says. I respond to customers like other employees.”

There is no doubt about the chemistry between Cynthya and Mélissa. They know their strengths and weaknesses.

“We complement each other,” mentions Mélissa, looking at Cynthya with a smile. We have good communication. We never argue because we have the same goal in mind for the company.”

Since taking the reins, the Beauchamps have managed to double the turnover of Bralco, which was founded in 1972. However, they are far from boasting.

“At university, my professor told me that the third generation of a company is the riskiest,” emphasizes Cynthya. The first went well while the second rode the wave.

“The third must make changes so that the company does not fall. You have to make decisions based on the market.”

Family above all

If Cynthya and Mélissa need advice, they know they can count on their fathers. It’s part of the family spirit, which is the DNA of this east Montreal company with 11 employees.

“We treat our employees and our customers as if they were members of our family,” explains Mélissa. It’s part of our values.”

Additionally, if you call Bralco, there will be someone on the line. No question of having a telephone system like we see everywhere in businesses.

“No matter who answers, they are capable of serving you,” says Mélissa. There is no administrative assistant.”

Delayed by the pandemic

The process of buying back their two fathers’ shares was not a smooth ride. Initially, Cynthya and Mélissa had planned to buy their fathers back in March 2020. Then, the pandemic thwarted their plans.

“We were going to the tax specialist to conclude the buyout and Quebec closed,” says Denis. There was no question of passing the business to the girls under such conditions.”

The quartet put the project on ice for a year before starting the process again in 2021. During the interval, they bought out the shares of Denis and Michel’s sister, Marie-Claude.

Then, Bill C-208 on capital gains came into force. By mutual agreement, the quartet decided to wait another year for a smooth transfer of power, which was completed in 2022.

“We organized one dinner a month with my mother,” says Cynthya. We wanted to keep the family together and we told each other the things we didn’t like about certain situations, and then we drank wine!”

For the future of their company, the two women have several projects in mind, such as growth through acquisitions and an expansion of the warehouse, which will allow Bralco to reach new heights.