BP Canada Celebrates 120 Years of Purely Canadian Innovation

BP Canada, a leading manufacturer of building materials, is celebrating its 120th anniversary. To mark this anniversary, the Canadian company is inviting members of the community to revisit its rich history of innovation, and to help shape its next milestones.

A Rich History, Rooted in Innovation
1905
BP Canada’s story began in 1905, when the Bird & Sons Corporation built what would eventually become the current fibreboard plant in Pont-Rouge. With deep Canadian roots, BP Canada’s history is marked by passion and innovation.

Notable innovations include the first oversized 42″ asphalt roofing shingle on the market, and the development of patented Weather-Tite and Weather-Tite Plus technologies, which allow the company to offer warranties against winds up to 220 km/h—equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.

Furthermore, the Chroma colour lab was the first to offer Profusio, a unique shingle “mix and match” concept that allows homeowners an unparalleled level of customization. 

1960
Over time, BP Canada has changed ownership several times, including being owned by oil company Esso in the 1960s and 1970s. However, regardless of ownership, it always maintained all its production activities on Canadian soil, proudly remaining a “homegrown company.”

1990
Beginning in the 1990s, the pace of innovation accelerated for BP Canada. In addition to the roofing advances mentioned above, their wood fibre product line underwent a significant expansion. These include the launch of Excel (1990), Enermax (1997), R-4HP (2010), and R-5XP (2017) panels, which combine high performance with a low environmental footprint.

2023
In September 2023, BP Canada joined Saint-Gobain alongside companies such as CertainTeed, Kaycan, and Bailey Metal Products. It’s worth noting that in 2014, Kaycan acquired KP Building Materials… who had taken over BP’s vinyl siding business several years earlier!

Empowered by the expertise and experience of a global network of over 161,000 employees in 80 countries, BP Canada continues to raise its quality standards while positioning themself at the forefront of technological innovations. Known and renown from coast to coast, BP Canada is moving forward, resolutely focused on the future.

As part of the company’s 120th anniversary celebrations, BP Canada employees were invited to collaborate on a collective work of art (left – Edmonton). “Then and Now” exhibitions were also held throughout the company’s production plants (here, in LaSalle).

A New Identity
To mark their 120th anniversary, BP Canada is unveiling a brand-new image. This new look serves both as a tribute to their past and a vision for the future. Easy to recognize are elements such as the oval shape, which has been part of the BP Canada signature since the very beginning, as well as a shade of blue reminiscent of the brand’s iconic colour.  However, the entire visual is presented in a way that firmly establishes BP Canada’s affiliation with the Saint-Gobain group.

Driven by this wave of renewal, the company has also taken the opportunity to turn what was until now just a nickname into their official name. From now on, it will no longer be known as “Building Products of Canada” but simply as “BP Canada.”

BP Canada’s new logo reflects its affiliation with the Saint-Gobain group, while highlighting key elements of the company’s identity, such as its characteristic blue colour and the oval shape that has accompanied it since its inception.

“With 120 years of contributing to the safety and comfort of Canadian homes, BP Canada continues its journey toward new horizons. Empowered by the strength of Saint-Gobain, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions that meet the needs and challenges of tomorrow,” said Mathias Tebar, General Manager of BP Canada. “Our team has shown resilience and innovation through many defining moments over the past 120 years, and I’m optimistic about the next chapter we are building together.”

To kick off its 120th anniversary celebrations, BP Canada unveiled its new brand identity to employees at events held at each of its production sites. “It was especially important for us to recognize and celebrate this milestone with those who have been at the core of BP Canada’s success since 1905,” concluded Mr. Tebar.

For more information go to www.saint-gobain.northamerica.com