- BILODEAU Canada does not use only wild fur from Quebec and Canada.
- Full use of the animal is essential when its fur is used for its products.
- In order to fully respect the fur used in its products, this company use its scraps to the fullest.
When fur is a raw material, and its supply depends on the good health of wildlife, taking care of nature becomes a priority from the outset.
This is the case for BILODEAU Canada, a fur clothing and accessories company founded in 1997 by Mario Bilodeau. Located in the village of Normandin in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the company has achieved commercial success — the brand is sold in 27 countries — while maintaining a small-scale team of 80 employees who handle everything from skin preparation to product manufacturing.
First and foremost, it is essential to know that BILODEAU Canada only uses wild fur from Quebec and Canada. This fur is subject to strict regulations to ensure the respect of trapping practices and monitor fluctuations in different species to adjust hunting quotas accordingly.
Once the fur arrives at BILODEAU Canada, it is honored in its entirety. Besides using the pelts for clothing and accessories, the teeth and claws are collected for artisanal purposes. The fat is transformed into soap, and the meat is sold to sled dog breeders. Even the hairs collected during fur brushing are spun with wool to add value to their boutique knits.
As for the offcuts, nothing goes to waste! They are sewn together to make mittens or recycled fur boots. Some irregular pieces are patched up to create stuffed animals for children. As for the fabric scraps from coat linings, they are shredded on-site and transformed into cushion stuffing.
However, this environmental vigilance comes with its set of challenges. Each additional step requires a dedicated workforce, which is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit. Moreover, is the consumer willing to pay more for an eco-friendly product, such as mittens insulated with local milkweed instead of polyester?
Determined to uphold the values on which the company was built, BILODEAU Canada continues to move forward, despite these uncertainties. Because after all, when there is will, integrity, and resourcefulness, the rest follows.
The distribution of this article is made possible by the contribution of Détail Québec, the retail sectoral workforce committee.
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