A win-win relationship

AMF manufactures modern commercial bakery equipment, including bread ovens and industrial dough mixers. Based in Sherbrooke, in the Estrie region of Quebec, the company earns annual sales revenue totaling 36 million US dollars and employs 175 people. Its principal markets are in North America, but it has also made forays into the international arena, selling products to bakeries of various sizes. AMF is currently looking to build its business presence in the Pacific region. Claude Lajeunesse, AMF's Vice President of Canadian Operations, talks about his partnership with Lumen.

A partnership that brings success
Until five years ago, AMF was buying electrical goods at random from four different suppliers. Then Lumen convinced us that it could not only source the products we needed, but also help us to find high-tech solutions. Today, AMF is one of the leading designers and producers of high-yield bakery equipment and systems. Lumen deserves some of the credit for our success.

Strong ties to Lumen and Sonepar Canada
Over the years, we have forged strong ties with Lumen's president, Marcel Demers, and with Michel Grégoire, who runs the local Sherbrooke branch. It is reassuring to know that both of them are easy to reach whenever a serious problem arises. In our business, failure to deliver on time even if the product is sent just a day later than expected can have serious ramifications for our customers, and hence for us. I know that I can count on Lumen and its people to do their utmost.

Numerous services on offer
This level of trust has enabled the partnership to flourish over time. Lumen offers technical support, training, competitive pricing and a variety of services that include: 

- order compilation by kit: one of Lumen's salespeople is assigned to the customer, and ensures that the items in the client's electrical product toolkit are up to date 
- full-order logistics capability 
- items on demand 
- advice and information, 
- manufacturer price adjustments for the client

A relationship built to last
We have a really good relationship with the people who work for Lumen people like Carol Anctil, who is a competent technical support specialist. He often visits our plant and keeps abreast of what's happening in our business. Thanks to his technical advice, we have been able to reduce costs and build workable solutions for our clients. That is critical for us.

One of AMF's core values is the voice of the customer, which is something that the Lumen manager at Sherbrooke pays attention to daily.

I have no doubt that this relationship has many long years ahead of it. After all, it is win-win, easy and honest.