Interview with Philippe Charron — Flextherm’s Epicurean President

November 21, 2016 

By Line Goyette

Flextherm, a company in Montreal’s southern reaches that specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of floor heating systems, came into being 25 years ago. A celebration last summer captures the expectations and ambitions of the founder and president, Philippe Charron. The event brought together customers, distributors and employees.

Modest in its infancy, born of an innovator’s passion, Flextherm has nearly 50 employees, operates a modern and innovative 50,000+ square foot plant, and takes pride in its R&D department. Flextherm products are sold across Canada and the United States.

Head of the company since its inception, Philippe Charron is an epicurean, jack-of-all-trades, lover of detail, and resolutely turned towards innovation and performance. We met with him recently on the company premises.

How did Flextherm come about?

The idea started when I was 28 years old. I had an irrigation company, I was doing carpentry, mechanics. I’m a jack-of-all-trades, I want to understand and experience everything. At the time I was working on heated ceilings with a distributor. The company closed its doors and I began to imagine how with cable and excellent insulating products you could control temperature. From innovation to innovation, the company has grown.

When we’re 30 we don’t know much, but I’m a person who’s always had a lot of ideas. I don’t have a degree, but I’ve always liked to touch everything. When I was younger, I took apart and reassembled anything around me that was mechanical or electrical. I wanted to understand how things work and how to improve them. This is how heated floors came about, a product that at first glance seems simple, but we have perfected.

Your biggest challenge since 1991?

Surrounding myself with good people. When you have good ideas and a good project, you can find the money, but finding the right people is more difficult. As a boss, you must ensure that the work environment is healthy and helps the company grow. If you are not surrounded by the right people, you should help them find another challenge.

Q. in your career, what have you found most stimulating?

Doing things differently. For me, things deserve to be made once and well, so that they last a long time. The most stimulating thing about it is the creativity. It’s not easy to step away from the usual way of doing things. A constant for me in my career is the win-win relationship. To last, it must be fair and equitable. We must also adapt and innovate.

Technological change propels us towards new business models and enables us to do things differently. When I started my business, we had two or three models. You would have a showroom, exhibit at trade shows, and publish new product releases in magazines. Today, the options are much greater, and visibility is more sharply defined than ever. The customer approach has changed. It’s a big challenge for companies to have effective strategies in a world in motion, the changes are very fast. Today in a marketing department you need a specialist in social media, an internet expert, etc., all specialties that did not exist 20 years ago.

How do you combine your personal life with your life as an entrepreneur?

My starting point is to have fun. I’m the same person in my private life and at work. I organized the company celebration in detail: the guests, the presence of all employees, the sound, the food, even the arrival of the full moon over the scene at the beginning of the show. Moving to the country, I built our home with my wife. We chose the materials, built the house, moved onto the land. We did everything. Here too it is important to create and innovate.

I don’t have a chance to read as much as I’d like, but I travel a bit and again I give myself to it completely. Two years ago, my wife and I made it to the Everest base camp. Last summer, 11 days in the fjords of Greenland completely on our own. We are currently preparing a trip in the outlying islands of Indonesia in a schooner. Cellphones don’t fit into these places. You have to disconnect. I prefer adventure travel over tours, it’s more demanding but much better for clearing your head.

Your children (two girls and a boy) attended the celebration marking the company’s first 25 years. Part of your succession plan?

A. No, unlike many entrepreneurs I don’t have a family succession plan. I think I was lucky not to have been left anything. I was able to grow with my company. It’s a big responsibility to take someone else’s place. If my father had started the business 30 years ago, I’m not sure I would have taken his place. To my children I say that the important thing is to do what you like, to choose to be happy.

If I had gone to university or if I had technical training and formal business management training, I would have probably been less on my own. Fortunately, there are business groups that help us deal with challenges, to give it our best shot. A few years ago I took entrepreneurship courses to improve my management skills and learn to be a better coach. In the process I  learned that my ideas were just as good as other people’s. These courses gave me confidence and leadership skills. I’d like my children to experience this on their own, which will give them confidence and a desire to do better.

Line Goyette is Managing Editor of EIN; linegoyette@kerrwil.com. Learn more about Flextherm: www.flextherm.com/en.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Breaking out of a Winter Slowdown

    Breaking out of a Winter Slowdown

    March 10, 2025 For many Canadian electricians, winter months bring a painful slowdown in business. You’re grateful for your projects, but snowbanks, cold temperatures and slippery surfaces mean a half-day project eats up most of the day and the battery in your heated hoodie always seems to be on “empty”. Generate new business by strengthening… Read More…

  • How Technology is Reshaping Lighting Design: Augmented Reality, Sustainability, Smart Lighting, and 3D Printing

    How Technology is Reshaping Lighting Design: Augmented Reality, Sustainability, Smart Lighting, and 3D Printing

    March 10, 2025 By Kaitlin Burke, Lead System Engineer at Cooper Lighting Solutions & Rajat Bhayana, Lighting Product Manager at Cooper Lighting Solutions Technology is rapidly reshaping the lighting design industry, offering new ways to streamline workflows, enhance aesthetics, and optimize energy efficiency. In 2025, lighting professionals will have more tools than ever to balance… Read More…

  • A Powerful Partnership

    A Powerful Partnership

    March 10, 2025 By Milwaukee® Milwaukee® believes in the power of relationships. The global leader in hand tools and power tools has built its reputation over the past 100 years from the combination of producing high-quality tools designed for the jobsite, while continuing to go above and beyond their user’s expectations. A perfect example of… Read More…

  • ECAO Tariff Tracker

    ECAO Tariff Tracker

    March 7, 2025 ECAO is closely monitoring the evolving tariff battle between Canada and the US. ECAO are staying in touch with their industry partners and legal resources, and continually monitoring news feeds. In addition, they will be meeting with affiliate partners, suppliers and other industry players to plan implementation of possible solutions, to advise… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    March 7, 2025 IDEAL Electrical was the first company to obtain a patent to make and sell wire connectors in the United States 96 years ago this month – and today IDEAL® announces a modern look for the brand, which captures the company’s spirit of relentless innovation and the optimistic future of the electrical trade. … Read More…

  • Noramco Announce Promotion at London Branch

    Noramco Announce Promotion at London Branch

    March 7, 2025 Noramco has announced the promotion of Erika Liddle to Commercial & Industrial Account Manager – London. “Since joining us in September as Sales Support, Erika has embraced every challenge with determination, quickly making a strong impression. Her ability to learn, adapt, and build meaningful relationships with our customers has set her apart…. Read More…

  • Leviton Canada Unveils New Conveyor System at the Canadian DistributionCenter in Pointe-Claire, Quebec

    Leviton Canada Unveils New Conveyor System at the Canadian DistributionCenter in Pointe-Claire, Quebec

    March 7, 2025 Leviton Canada is thrilled to announce the unveiling of their new conveyor system at the Pointe-Claire (Quebec) distribution center, designed to boost efficiency and enhance service for their valued customers across Canada. With cutting-edge automation and improved accuracy, we’re ready to handle your orders faster and more reliably than ever before. This… Read More…

  • ESA President and CEO Named One of Canada’s Top Women in Safety

    ESA President and CEO Named One of Canada’s Top Women in Safety

    March 7, 2025 The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is proud to announce that Josie Erzetic, President and CEO at ESA, has been named one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety by the Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine for 2025. The awards recognize exceptional female leaders who shatter glass ceilings while influencing the health and safety… Read More…