THE PROMOTER
THE AUTHOR
The author, J.- Robert Ouimet , is the president of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Holding OCB Inc. He is a well-known personality in the business and political worlds of both Quebec and Canada . He turned a small family business into a middle-sized company that is today active in the Canadian, American, Mexican, Australian, and other markets
Monsieur Ouimet is the main leader of the Inner Silence and Prayer Meetings (ISPM), a one-of-a-kind organization of Quebec leaders, whose meetings have brought together more than 20,000 leaders and managers. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Ordre National du Québec, a knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as well as the Order of the Guardians of Mount-Zion and the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
He is graduate emeritus of the École des Hautes Études Commerciales, Montreal (HEC-Montréal) where he obtained a bachelor's degree in commerce. He received another bachelor's degree in economics and social sciences (magna cum laude) from the University of Fribourg , Switzerland , and an MBA in business administration from Columbia University , New York . He has been, and is, a member of numerous boards of directors.
Finally, on November 27, 1988 , with the constant encouragement of Professors Roger Berthouzoz and Maurice Villet of the University of Fribourg , he wrote and defended his doctoral thesis, magna cum laude.
In September 1998, the 1 st International Forum on Management, Ethics, and Spirituality (IFMES) was held; the 2 nd IFMES took place in 2000 at the HEC-Montréal; and the 3rd IFMES was hosted in May 2003 at St. Thomas University , Minneapolis , Minnesota . These forums were the result of the discovery of the possibility that two ISMA, the economic and the human, can "work hand in hand¨. The activities of the new, non-economic M.T., some of which are found no where else in the world, also contributed to laying the groundwork for the IFMES forums.
In 2002, the 1 st meeting of the International Committee for Reflection and Action on Our Project (ICRAOP) was held in Montreal . The 2 nd meeting of ICRAOP occurred in Montreal at the beginning of 2003. A book, Human Happiness and Profits: It Can Be Done! will soon be published in Europe .
In 2003, the 70 th anniversary of the founding of the Holding OCB Inc., the following versions of The Golden Book were published: the 4 th revised, French edition; the 3rd revised, English edition; and the 1 st Spanish edition.
Tomasso Corporation Our Mission at Ouimet-Tomasso Inc.
As a highly ethical, economically competitive, provider of quality frozen dinners and entrées, centred on and driven by our people and in cooperation with a loving God, to innovatively generate continuous growth . . . in human well-being, in customer enthusiasm, in long-term economic performance.
Our values
AUTHENTICITY is expressed through our integrity, our HUMILITY . . . . . . everyday . . . in everything we do. We demonstrate RESPECT by embracing diversity and accepting the differences among people. We endeavour to treat everyone equitably . . . ethically. Our PASSION is evident in our “joie de vivre” . . . a confident and positive state-of-being. We are committed to developing our people toward their full intellectual and spiritual potential, to innovation, and to surpassing customer expectations for quality and service.
We believe that faith in the wisdom of a loving God . . . a Supreme Being . . . nourishes these values. Therefore we encourage the free expression of spirituality and commit ourselves to fostering spiritual growth.
Cordon Bleu Enterprise
''La Maison J.-Rene Ouimet Ltée''
The action began in 1933 in the midst of the great depression. J.Rene Ouimet, a farmer son borrowed twenty thousand dollars to found “La Maison J.-Rene Ouimet Ltée.? He rapidly establishes a strong network to distribute prepared foods and European cheese. The adventure is started.
Cordon Bleu Ltée
At the same era, a new brand is lunched by the Faille brothers. Lucien and Aimé, impressed by the popularity of their mother’s meat pâtés, founded Cordon Bleu Ltée Company. Neighbour of Faille family, J.René shows rapidly is interest. Beginning by being the exclusive distributor for Quebec and Ontario, he got the entire control of the companies in 1946.
In 1952 J.-René had the idea to market a meatball stew just like the one his mother made for the holidays. That year, the renowned Cordon Bleu Meatball Stew came into existence and was destined to become the company’s flagship product.
In 1963, in its thirtieth year of business, les Entreprises J.-René Ouimet ltée merged with Cordon Bleu ltée.
The expansion
M. J.-Rene Ouimet kept the control of his company until 1963. On march 29, he turned over his company’s share to his three children, J.-Robert, Suzanne and Francine. An expansion era is started. In 1964, J.-Robert Ouimet was promoted to executive president. One year later, he became the sole shareholder.
In 1963 and 1964, the Cordon Bleu quality is recognized during the World Quality Competitions held in Paris, Brussels and London. The Cordon Bleu brand won 18 gold medals for exceptional quality of its products. To commemorate this prestigious achievement, the officials of the World Quality Competitions awarded The Cordon Bleu Seal of Quality – a seal that represents Cordon Bleu’s excellence and tradition since 1933.
The year 1979 signalled the beginning of a series of acquisitions, namely the Paris Pâté, Esta, and Clark brands. In 1986, the factory and the administrative offices regrouped in the same location – the move took two years to complete. It was in the summer 1988 that the inauguration of the new premises at 8383 J. René Ouimet in Anjou, east of Montreal, was celebrated in the presence of no other than Mother Theresa !
Todays …
Ouimet-Cordon Bleu Foods Inc. is now owned by Ouimet Tomasso inc. The company produces canned product under Cordon Bleu, Clark, Esta and Paris Pate brand. Moreover, many private label brand are also produced in Anjou factory for the biggest Canadian food banner. Also, with the HACCP certification, the company is exporting products in USA and Australia. Within the knowledge acquired in this great history, Ouimet-Cordon Bleu Foods Inc. will continue to accomplish its mission: producing and marketing highly differentiated and value-added food products.
The future is bright for Ouimet-Cordon Bleu Foods Inc.
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