A Window on Life

A Window on Life

For Gilles LaCroix, there is nothing quite as

beautiful as a handcrafted wood-framed window.

LaCroix's passion for windows goes back to his

youth in St. Jean, Quebec, where he was taught how

to make residential windows by an elderly

carpenter. He learned about the characteristics of

good wood, the best tools to use, and how to choose

the best glass from local suppliers. LaCroix

apprenticed with the carpenter in his small

workshop and, when the carpenter retired, was

given the opportunity to operate the business

himself.

LaCroix hired an apprentice as he built up business

in the local area. His small operation soon expanded

as the quality of windows built by LaCroix

Industries Ltd. became better known. Within eight

years, the company was employing nearly 25 people

and the business had moved to larger facilities to

accommodate the increased demand from southern

Quebec. In these early years, LaCroix spent most of

his time in the production shop, teaching new

apprentices the unique skills he had mastered and

applauding the journeymen for their

accomplishments. He would constantly repeat the

point that LaCroix products had to be of the highest

quality because they gave families a "window on

life."

After 15 years, LaCroix Industries was employing

over 200 people. A profit-sharing program was

introduced to give employees a financial reward for

their contribution to the organization's success. Due

to the company's expansion, headquarters had to be

moved to another area of town, but the founder

never lost touch with the work force. Although new

apprentices were now taught entirely by the master

carpenters and other craftspeople, LaCroix would

still chat with plant and office employees several

times each week.

When a second work shift was added, LaCroix

would show up during the evening break with

coffee and boxes of doughnuts and discuss how the

business was doing and how it had become so

successful through quality...