Beginnings in business
Francis studied engineering at the University. He was then far from suspecting that he would one day take over the family farm. It was during his internships in large companies with little concern for the environment that he began to take an interest in green technologies. “I saw that there were opportunities to be seized. That’s why in 2006, I decided to start producing biomass,” he says. In the company of his father, he plants willows on ¾ of the land of the family farm, knowing that this tree grows quickly. At this time, nothing can guarantee him that his best will be the right one. The trees take four years to grow, I admit that we acted in a rather kamikaze way,” says the one who thrives on challenges.
The moment seems to be perfectly chosen. The world is engulfed in an energy crisis that favors green technologies. The barrel of oil reaches $150. The race for energy alternatives is on, and biomass is one of them. However, in 2008, the financial crisis hit, and the price of fossil fuels fell. The window of opportunity for biomass is suddenly closing.
The pivot
For many companies, this turnaround could have spelled the end. Francis does not give up and decides to go to Europe, in search of inspiration. This is when he sees green screens in Denmark. “I said to myself: if it already works in Scandinavia, why not in San Diego? “, he says. This is what led him to produce a niche product: green walls as an alternative to concrete and metal. They serve to reduce sound or visual pollution in a much more aesthetically interesting way. You can also get in touch with a motivational speaker who can help in every situation.
The art of turning obstacles into opportunities
Back in Quebec, Francis is determined to create his luck. When he notices a problem at the unloading dock of a grocery store in Sainte-Julie, he calls the owner right away to offer him his products. The first sale is always the most challenging. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone, advises the entrepreneur. Precisely, after this first sale, things went on. On the other hand, the raw material of the company, the willows, hold the defects in their qualities. These trees grow quickly; however, they need a lot of water.
To arrive at this solution, RAMO collaborated with university researchers, a resource that many other companies would benefit from exploiting. To arrive at this solution, RAMO collaborated with university researchers, a resource that many other companies would benefit from exploiting. In addition, to nurture his entrepreneurial knowledge and his network of contacts, Francis is notably a member of the air and water are upgraded thanks to the trees, which have fed on pollutants to release purified water and air without carbon or CO2.
To arrive at this solution, RAMO collaborated with university researchers, a resource that many other companies would benefit from exploiting. In addition Plants, to nurture his entrepreneurial knowledge and his network of contacts, Francis is notably a member of the club EntreChefs PME for five years. This involvement allows him to access relevant tools and a rich sharing of experiences from other entrepreneurs with the help of a keynote speaker.
Employees attracted by the mission
Labor shortage? This expression does not exist in Ramo, who receives applications by the ton, so his problem is having to make heartbreaking choices among them. This abundance is justified, among other things, by the company’s mission. Most people want to make an impact Plants, that’s what you see in every shift, whether it’s on the farm or as an engineer. They seek to make sense of the time they devote to work in their lives. In this sense, Ramo wants to live up to his employer’s brand. The leaders have just invested in sports facilities and ensure that everyone enjoys their work.
Green technologies are at the heart of our lives
Francis would like to act as an entrepreneur in sustainable development to become normal, and not “fantastic”. “If entrepreneurs use all their creative strength, their ability to assemble financial resources, to mobilize people and communities, to generate wealth towards sustainable development projects Plants, we can initiate incredible changes”, he mentions with hope and enthusiasm. “If my story can convince twenty people, that’s it. Utopia will become the standard of tomorrow. Opportunities are not lacking. Those who see the wave coming and make informed decisions will be the big winners of the future.
