Tradition and innovation: Dolbec’s winning recipe

Dolbec, a family farm located in Saint-Ubalde, in the Portneuf region of Quebec, has established itself as the largest potato producer and packer in Eastern Canada. They blend agricultural tradition with modern business practices to fuel their growth. The business’s success is built on the vision of co-owners Stéphan Dolbec and his spouse Josée Petitclerc, who have surrounded themselves with a dedicated, multidisciplinary team.

Growth with a deep connection to their roots

In 1967, Stéphan’s parents, Francine Sauvageau and Herman Dolbec, acquired the Dolbec family land. “My parents embraced a vision of responsible, forward-looking farming,” says Stéphan, who took over the business in 1994 at the age of 22, following the tragic passing of his father. “I quickly learned that our success depended on innovation and strategic financial management: buying land, building storage facilities and modernizing machinery and the packing centre.”

In 2005, Stéphan bought out the farm, which operated 4,500 acres and employed about 60 people at the time. To support expansion and stabilize yields, Dolbec began geographic diversification in 2010 in partnership with two other Quebec potato producers.

Today, Dolbec farms 10,000 acres, employs 150 to 190 people (depending on the season) and harvests nearly 60,000 tonnes of potatoes each year, including seed potatoes. Annually, about 100 million pounds are then packaged for the table market. New varieties are tested every year to unearth rare gems that are well-suited to the soil, last for up to 12 months, and look and taste delicious. Most of their sales are done in Quebec, but they also sell to Ontario and the United States.

Crop rotation (corn, soybeans, wheat, rye and green fertilizers) helps maintain soil quality. These crops are grown on 6,000 acres and make up around 10% of sales.

Embracing a collaborative management style

Both partners are involved in many areas on a daily basis, supporting their team and actively focusing on planning and key projects. “Stéphan never works in isolation. He knows how to surround himself with good people,” Josée says.

The more we grow, the more important it is to work together as we forge ahead.

This collaborative approach permeates the entire organization. The couple relies on the support of general manager Hugo d’Astous, who’s been there since 2014, and a management committee that oversees their main business lines – sales, procurement, finance, human resources, agronomy, marketing and continuous improvement.

“The more we grow, the more important it is to work together as we forge ahead,” Stéphan says. This structure makes it easier for Dolbec to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and market conditions.

Two of their sons, Zachary and Thierry, are already involved in the business – one in sales support and land optimization, the other in farm operations. Their youngest son, Jérémy, is continuing his studies.

“Everyone progresses at their own pace and according to their own aspirations. We have a solid family and organizational succession plan supported by management and consultants to ensure that business-critical positions continue to be filled by qualified people,” Stéphan says.

A shift in technology pays off

Dolbec has invested over $30 million to upgrade its facilities, including $12 million for a state-of-the-art packing centre that uses advanced automation and smart technology, and opened in 2017. Featuring a fully automated line – from receiving, to artificial intelligence-led sorting, to bagging – this centre is among the most advanced in North America. These improvements have resulted in an estimated 25% gain in efficiency and increased packing capacity from 70 to 120 million pounds per year.

Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s also about redefining roles. Part of the workforce previously assigned to manual sorting now handles equipment supervision, quality control and/or digital management. In addition, artificial intelligence supports inventory planning, logistics and order fulfilment.

“These tools allow us to make the right decisions right away and meet our customers’ expectations any time of the year. We place a great deal of importance on the quality of our service, which has had a huge impact on the company’s success,” Josée says. This philosophy can be seen in their business relationships. “Our suppliers are true partners, and we grow together with them,” she adds.

Sustainable practices and climate adaptation

To cope with the unpredictability of Mother Nature, Dolbec launched a five-year irrigation project. The system, with its low-pressure pivots, mimics natural rainfall and stabilizes yields to counter the effects of variable precipitation. In addition, a changing climate calls for optimal land drainage.

Precision agriculture is key for the operation. Using sensors and cameras, it targets specific areas and limits the use of inputs. “As producers, we have a responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint,” Josée says. In partnership with the Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment (IRDA), Dolbec is exploring ways to improve soil health.

Strategic planning

“We always plan our investments according to their long-term impact on our competitiveness,” Stéphan says. This rigour informs decisions related to operations, people and environmental responsibility.

The business relies on a five-year plan, developed with the help of a consulting firm and some 20 key employees. It’s complemented by an environmental, social and governance approach, in which each department is asked to propose one concrete action focused on sustainability.

From surplus yields to added value

With the circular economy in mind, Dolbec works with Ubald Distillery to turn potatoes that aren’t sold commercially into alcohol. “Hugo came up with the idea,” Josée says. “We saw an opportunity to create a value-added product. What sets us apart is that we make everything here, from field to bottle.”

Surplus potatoes are also sold to processing companies that produce fresh and frozen vegetables, gluten-free flour and animal feed. A portion is donated to food banks, and their packaging has been redesigned in favour of recyclable and compostable alternatives.

Investing in the future

Growth at Dolbec isn’t just about the number of cultivated acres. It’s built on rigourous planning, a grassroots spirit of collaboration and a long-term vision – a business model that illustrates what can be achieved by combining know-how and innovation.

“We have to stay true to our traditional values while continuing to adapt and prepare for the future,” Stéphan says.

“And you never want to lose the essence of what a family business is,” Josée says.

From an AgriSuccess article by Mélanie Lagacé.