Our history
Quality, Freshness, and Prestige Since 1930
Fromagerie St-Laurent is a family business established in Saint-Bruno, in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. This family story began in 1930.
The fourth generation is now at the helm, and the tradition continues, driven by solid expertise, a dedicated team, and a deep attachment to the region.
From fine cheeses to mozzarella, soft ice cream, derivative products, and, of course, the essential fresh cheddar cheese, the cheese factory stands out for the freshness of its products.
The company employs 80 people, has a state-of-the-art factory, and produces several million kilos of cheese each year.
History
1930
The history of the cheese factory began in 1930, when Auguste St-Laurent, the company’s founder, moved to Lac-Saint-Jean. He left the municipality of Luceville, at the gateway to the Gaspésie Peninsula, to discover a prosperous and promising region.
He and his wife, Éléonore Mongrain, were both business owners and parents of a large family of nine children.
With extensive business experience, Auguste decided to acquire a butter factory and several cheese factories throughout eastern Lac-Saint-Jean, his new region.
1947
In 1947, Maurice St-Laurent, then 27 years old, took over the company and took it to the next level.
1950
Ten years later, in 1950, Maurice decided to sell most of the small cheese factories acquired by his father. At that time, transportation was rapidly modernizing, and it was no longer necessary to own so many establishments. He then decided to concentrate his activities in a single cheese factory, the largest, located on Road 3 in Hébertville-Station.
Over the years that followed, Maurice devoted himself to his work, but also to his new wife, Dolorès Brochu, with whom he would have six children.
1973
In 1973, an event would change the course of the St-Laurent cheese factory’s history. A terrible fire completely destroyed the Hébertville-Station cheese factory, which had just been renovated.
After assessing the damage, he decided to rebuild the cheese factory. To facilitate the water supply and improve the location, Maurice decided to establish his business in Saint-Bruno, on Road 6 North. This central location was more accessible and allowed him to concentrate all the cheese factory’s activities.
1982
In the 1980s, the company underwent a period of modernization. Maurice St-Laurent invested nearly a million dollars to improve the machinery used to make the cheese.
These new acquisitions were significant: they made the St-Laurent cheese factory the most modern plant in Quebec at the time.
Over time, several other major investments were made, allowing the cheese factory to stand out in the market.
1992
Known and recognized throughout the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region, Fromagerie St-Laurent was a lifetime’s work. In 1992, after a life filled with passion for cheese and his valued customers, Maurice St-Laurent passed away.
Fortunately, he was able to count on his sons, solid successors who continued to make the cheese factory shine. That same year, four of his children took over this family jewel: Luc, Yves, François, and Renaud St-Laurent.
2004
In 2004, the four partners had a new goal in mind: to diversify production. They expanded the factory and created a new product, pasta filata mozzarella cheese, which is now sold across Canada.
2008
In 2008, nearly 80 years after its inception, the St-Laurent cheese factory’s production line was automated. This enabled the company to gain efficiency and better meet growing demand, while also allowing it to stand out by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
2019
The cheese factory once again made major investments, this time to improve its mozzarella production facilities.
2025
Today, the company employs 80 people, processes millions of liters of milk annually, and is one of the largest cheese factories in Lac-Saint-Jean.
Nearly 100 years after its founding, the St-Laurent family is still alive and well. The company is now in transition, handing over the reins to the fourth generation, consisting of Dave St-Laurent, William St-Laurent, and Jean-Sébastien Côté.
Through the Years
Sources:
The St-Laurent Family
Lac-Saint-Jean Historical Society
Le Lac-Saint-Jean
Le Quotidien
