New Melting at Fonderie Laperle
The Canadian municipal castings manufacturer swapped in two electric furnaces and built a new melting department to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and add flexibility. SHANNON WETZEL, MANAGING EDITOR
S
urrounded by green fields and a mile from St. Lawrence River tributary Richelieu River in the
small Quebecois town of Saint-Ours, Fonderie Laperle carries on a tradi- tion started in the 19th century, but its melting department is a strictly 21st century operation.
Te plant makes manhole cast- ings—a somewhat commoditized market segment that has largely moved to overseas, lower-cost coun- tries. It ships only to eastern Canada, yet the 80-employee Fonderie Laperle persists. Te provincial government of Quebec and parent company Bibby Ste-Croix (a McWane Corp. entity) saw the value of locally made municipal castings and in 2016, the metalcasting facility underwent a $5.5 million improvement project, which included a new melt deck and equip- ment, at a time when finding similar iron plants in Quebec is becoming increasingly rare. “Not many foundries are left
in this area,” said Tom Leonard, president, Bibby Ste-Croix and Fond- erie Laperle. “Laperle is successful because there is a large demand in
Fonderie Laperle casts iron municipal components, such as manhole covers and frames, for eastern Canada.
March 2017 MODERN CASTING | 29
Canada for names on manhole covers. When a municipality wants a name or text on the cover, quality from overseas becomes an issue.” Laperle makes custom castings
well, with cosmetic details that cit- ies use to portray their community’s identity. Te foundry does more than
make a pretty casting, though. It has developed new systems for manholes that lead to better installation, longer service life and safer road conditions. “Bibby Ste-Croix works closely
with the municipalities and engineer- ing community to develop newer and safer road castings,” Leonard said.
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