Page 87 - BWM March 2013

March 2013 | Business World Magazine | 87
SOPREMA was later born from the acro-
nym associated with the French translation
of that same name - SOciété des Produits et
Revêtements d’Étanchéite MAmmouth.
Over the years that followed, SOPRE-
MA continued to improve upon its existing
product lines while also inventing new solu-
tions. As their innovations grew, so too did
demand for their products which necessi-
tated the company’s operational expansion.
New manufacturing facilities would be es-
tablished in France, yet also in Quebec and
British Columbia, Canada, as well as Ohio
and Mississippi in the United States.
Through it all, the evolution of innova-
tions would be overseen by the Geisen Fam-
ily. Since 1992, the company has been led by
Pierre-Etienne Bindschedler, the grandson
of Pierre Geisen, who represents the fourth
generation of family ownership. Under his
leadership, the company has remarkably
advanced their product quality, sourcing of
materials, operational efficiency and sweep-
ing market penetration.
Richard Voyer, who spent years work-
ing in research and development with SO-
PREMA prior to assuming management of
operations in North America, says although
the company has grown “it is still a family
company with a family spirit.” The Geisen