ARTESIAN WELLS – THE COMPANY

Since it was founded in 1947, J-M. Massé & fils inc. has drilled more than 10,000 artesian wells, not only in the Bois-Francs region, but throughout Quebec and in neighbouring provinces.

The company’s story began the day when Jean-Marie Massé of St-Samuel of Horton, saw a “Dig your own well” ad in a local newspaper. Mr. Massé decided then and there to buy a drill, not to dig a well for himself but to go out and dig wells for others. J-M. Massé therefore got its start in St-Samuel, where it still has equipment storage facilities today.

In 1951, Jean-Marie Massé exchanged his drill for a better model, then purchased a second one to be operated by his brother. Year by year, the company grew, to the point where in 1968, it owned six percussion drills.

DRILLING WELLS - TURNING POINT IN 1971

In 1971, Jean-Marie Massé incorporated the company under the name J-M. Massé & Fils inc. in partnership with his five sons: Fabien, Michel Réjean, Alain and François.

In 1973, a new technology was brought on board with the purchase of a rotary drill. The faster, more efficient rotary drills could do in a day what a cable drill took three to four days to do.

In 1974, company administration and the pump department were transferred from St-Samuel to 2540 Notre Dame Street in Victoriaville, a move that helped the company grow and diversify. In 1975, the company acquired a water testing laboratory, and set up a water treatment department. In 1976 and 1980 it acquired two other drilling companies, Wellie Roy of Victoriaville and Raymond Picard of Plessisville, making J-M. Massé & Fils with its four rotary drills the largest residential well drilling company in Quebec.

This growth resulted in two moves, one in 1984 to 11 Perreault Street, and another in 1999 to 15 Artisan, in Victoriaville. Quebec legislation to preserve agricultural land, which led to a decline in construction in green areas, resulted in a drop in demand for residential wells. J-M. Massé & Fils then turned to municipal and industrial drilling with the purchase of more powerful drill rigs, capable of drilling wells up to 60 cm (about 24”) in diameter.

GEOTHERMICS

In 2000, geological engineer Denis Croteau, and the entire Geohydrotek team in Thetford Mines and Quebec City joined the Puitbec group under the name  "Geohydrotek 2000". Denis and his team brought extensive municipal, commercial, industrial and mining expertise to Puitbec.

Michel Massé then created "Le Groupe Puitbec", bringing the many companies together under one name, with J-M. Massé & Fils remaining the cornerstone of group operations.

J-M. Massé & Fils inc. expanded its reach throughout Quebec, and into Ontario and New Brunswick. Michel Massé served as president after Fabien and Réjean Massé sold their shares to Donald and Simon, two of Michel’s sons. Fabien and Réjean stayed employed by the company to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities and knowledge.

In 2007, to consolidate the strengths of its various companies and promote its status as a province-wide company, the Massé family founded GROUPE PUITBEC INC. encompassing all its activities.

Mission

Groupe Puitbec’s mission is to supply the Quebec population with water and contribute to protecting the environment by securing its leading position in the area of geothermal drilling. Sound management, stability, leading edge technologies and good working relationships are the tools it will use to achieve its mission. Puitbec shall strive to ensure employees and customers alike have a positive relationship with the company.