Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area
I have spent most of my career in fast growing companies, primarily in the consumer products industry, as well as in distribution and logistics. I first worked for several years as a consultant helping companies to organize and execute plans for growth and penetration of new markets. I had the chance to work with global leaders such as Unilever, SC Johnson, Kraft General Foods and Duracell. I learned a great deal from them. I was subsequently hired by Heineken to set up a sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary in China. Upon my return to Quebec, I expanded the supermarket distribution of Van Houtte packaged coffees to the rest of Canada and the east coast of the United States. Then with Czech partners I started Dobra Tea, which is now a chain of tea houses in the north eastern United States. Schenker, a German multinational logistics company, subsequently took me on to manage its operations in Eastern Canada. Finally, I was GM of Laniel Canada, a family-owned commercial coffee distribution company serving clients like Starbucks and McDonald's across the country. I now work primarily with innovation-oriented companies, whose leaders entrust me with growth management, business development, change management and optimization projects. I am also frequently consulted on strategic and organizational development issues. You can read more about what I do at alainlarocque.com Examples of recent projects: • Launch of Hong Kong's Omni plant-based meat brand into the US • Preparation of the business plan and identification of partners for the launch of Beyond Meat in China • Optimization of distribution for Rise Kombucha, Canada's leading kombucha brand • Strategic planning for Gogoquinoa, the Canadian leader in the quinoa market • Start up of the Teo Cargo project for Alexandre Taillefer's XPND Capital fund
Business development and growth management advice and project management for companies driven by innovation. Recent projects included strategic planning and interim management of Hong Kong's Green Monday/OmniFoods US business, business development planning for Bioitalia in the US, support the launch of Beyond Meat in China, improving the distribution of Rise Kombucha in Canada and strategic planning for GogoQuinoa's North American business.
Canadian leader in distribution and technical service of foodservice beverage equipment, with teams in Toronto, Montreal and Moncton. Improved results of the family business, which gained many national accounts and became one of the most important distributors of super-automatic espresso machines in North America. Sale of the business to Brokerhouse Distributors in 2015.
Consulting and project management services to clients in the food and logistics industries. Developed new beverage program for bakery chain, led specialty tea distribution project targetting supermarkets.
Responsible for quality and operations improvement projects. Reduced annual operating cost by $8.5 million for Intra-America air freight services in 2008. Gained 12% productivity by the end of 2009 in ocean import operations.