INTERSTAR, located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and Junction City, Illinois, USA is an internationally recognized market-leader in the development and manufacture of innovative products for the concrete industry. Interstar has been an integral force behind the concrete revolution – the transformation from a basic building block into an art form.
Interstar was founded in 1987 in Montréal, Quebec solely as a distributor of admixtures and pigments to the concrete industry. As the company grew, we identified areas in the industry where we could offer advanced technologies and unparalleled service. In 1994, we began to manufacture our own products under the Interstar name in our facility in St-Élie d'Orford, Quebec. In our first year as a manufacturer, we tripled sales of Interstar – an amazing feat by any account.
In 1998, as demand for our products grew even more, so too did the company. Two years after becoming a manufacturer, our St-Élie d'Orford factory was greatly expanded to meet the ever-increasing demand. Also, to expedite shipping and offer more responsive customer service outside of Quebec, our Toronto, Ontario office and warehouse were opened.
Interstar also expanded beyond Canadian borders into Mexico and began operations in Mexico City, Mexico, providing our products and services to the Mexican market under the name Interox.
In 1999, Interstar products and services entered the U.S. market on the wings of a new and dynamic sales force. That same year, growth of sales in Western Canada warranted the opening of our new office and warehouse in Calgary, Alberta.
Interstar’s research and development gave rise to a revolutionary new product for concrete coloring: Granastar®, a ‘Grade A’ granular pigment which easily flows and disperses in the concrete mix to produce vibrant and intense colors.
Eager to provide our customers with new and innovative solutions, we developed an accompanying granular dispenser. The innovative solution – both compact and ergonomically designed – results in increased productivity, diminished waste and improved safety.
Also in 1999, Zachary Gillman was honored by The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for his business savvy and leadership ability.
In 2000, we acquired FIBERFORCE, a Toronto-based company that manufactured polypropylene reinforcing fibers for concrete. The addition of polypropylene fibers - marketed under the brand name Fiberstar® - allowed Interstar to be the first company in the concrete industry to offer a complete range of products - pigments, admixtures and fibers. In the wake of our expanding business, the St-Élie d'Orford facility reached capacity, and in 2003, we broke ground on a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Also in 2003, La Chambre De Commerce Régionale De L’Estrie (The Chamber of Commerce of the Eastern Townships) recognized Interstar as the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year.
In 2005, we acquired a manufacturing plant in Junction City, Illinois which became our U.S. Headquarters. This 54,000-square foot facility increased production and warehousing capabilities and enabled us to offer unparalleled service to the U.S. market.
We were also the recipient of the 2005 Canadian Government’s Export Award in Research & Development.
In 2006, we formed a partnership with Cheng Design of Berkeley, California to offer the only complete line of quality products to design and build concrete countertops – the newest trend in home renovations that is sweeping North America.
Also in 2006, Zachary Gillman was selected as a regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Gillman was chosen as a finalist because of his innovative, entrepreneur spirit and his anything-can-be-done attitude that has lead Interstar to outstanding success. To accommodate the growth of the business, we added 5,000 square feet and 30,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space, respectively.
In 2007,Interstar was named as a finalist for the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce Reconnaissance Estrie in the category of Large Manufacturer.
We were also awarded the prestigious Mercure award in The Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec 2007 (Québec Chamber of Commerce) Mercuriades Competition. We won in the category of Industrial and Processing Production.
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