For nearly two decades, Martin Lebel, our purchasing manager at Boucherville, has contributed to our collective success with dedication and expertise.
He graciously took a moment to reflect on his journey, a path filed with valuable lesson and achievements.

« How long have you been with Commonwealth Plywood Distribution?

Martin : - I started in January 2006, it will be 20 years at the beginning of 2026.


- What positions have you held over the years?

Martin : - At first, I was a customer service representative, and later, I became a buyer. To eventually become purchasing manager at the Boucherville branch.


- What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Martin : - It's a family-owned Quebec company. I think it's important to contribute to the local economy. Also, I've always been treated well by the company. That's why I'm still here.


- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Martin : - I have a generalist skill profile, with many areas of interest, and I get by in several fields. When I have the time, I really enjoy woodworking.


- What is your favorite wood species?

Martin : - All hardwoods are beautiful. The key is knowing how to showcase them properly.»


September 2025.

A key figure from our Ottawa branch to North Bay, Josée Robichaud, our sales representative for the past 18 years, kindly agreed to share a retrospective of her journey with us through four questions.

« What positions have you held over the years?

Josée : - I started out as a credit officer at the Ottawa branch for a while, then moved on to inside sales. I'm now an outside sales representative at our North Bay branch, after several years in the same position in Ottawa.


- What features of the company do you like the best and why?  

Josée : - I love to work for a company that openly values its employees and celebrates their achievements.   Working in a positive and collaborative atmosphere has allowed me to perform at my best and contribute meaningfully to Commonwealth Plywood.


- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Josée : - My favorite hobby is enjoying time outdoors on the side by side exploring nature and getting into a few muds’ puddles.  


- What is your favorite wood species?

Josée : - Black walnut for its durability and ease of use. »


June 2025.

With 35 years of expertise in the materials distribution industry, Claude Légaré is a pilliar of the Quebec branch.
He kindly agreed to look back on his 24 and a half years at Commonwealth Plywood, sharing a retrospective filled with memories and accomplishments.

« What positions have you held over the years?  

Claude : - I started at Commonwealth Plywood Distribution in August 2000 as a customer service coordinator, a position I held until January 2001.
After that, I spent a lot of time on the road as a Sales Representative from January 2001 to August 2006.
Later, I was appointed Sales Manager, a role I held until 2018.
Since 2018, I’ve been serving as Product and Panel Director, a position that has evolved significantly since its creation.

The role of Product and Panel Director has grown over time. It involves purchasing imported panels, planning purchasing strategies, managing some key accounts, and providing coaching to the entire division team.


- What features of the company do you like the best and why?  

Claude : - I truly enjoy having the opportunity to innovate and introduce new ideas.
I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the evolution of the company’s current business model by creating several programs over the years.
This progress has allowed us to offer a complete range of products to our customers, while helping the company to stand out from competitors and better meet client expectations.


- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Claude : - I have strong analytical skills (market insight) and expertise in developing go-to-market strategies. These qualities were shaped by my passion as a hockey coach.
There are many similarities between leading a hockey team (management, strategy, and planning) and working in distribution.
All the training and experience gained through this passion continue to serve me well to this day.


- What is your favorite wood species?

Claude : - Walnut, for its aesthetic appeal and durability. »


May 2025.

Tammy Pigeon, our credit officer at the Ottawa branch, with her her energy and contagious enthusiasm, agreed to share her journey with us through five questions.

« How long have you been with Commonwealth Plywood Distribution?

Tammy : - I am a returning employee; I have been with Commonwealth Ottawa from 2013 to 2016, then I am back since 2021. So 8 years in total.

- What positions have you held over the years?

Tammy : - I have always been in Credit and love it!

- What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Tammy : - The Flexible work conditions, it’s a very understanding environment.
The promoting of a healthy work / life balance makes a huge factor and I clearly see this in the company.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Tammy : - I have a high retention of remembering numbers, 9/10 times I can find a front row parking. In my free time I like to paint… sometimes even on wood!

- What is your favorite wood species?

Tammy : - By far African Blackwood, dense but lush at the same time… and expensive.»


March 2025.

Alyssa Sponagle, also known as Door Queen at our North Bay branch, agreed to give us a glimpse of her bubbly personality through 5 questions.  

« How long have you been with Commonwealth Plywood Distribution?

Alyssa: - It’s been 1 year and 6 months, and I still love it.

- What positions have you held over the years?

Alyssa: - I started as inside sales representatives, now I’m also the door specialist alias “Door Queen” and the Administration Assistant at North Bay. I help where I’m needed in the branch.

- What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Alyssa: - I love the colours, so bold and so beautiful, that require attention at the same time as well as receiving customers.
I also love how everyone is involved and supportive, including head offices staff and the Caines themself. They really care about theirs customers and employees.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Alyssa: - When I have free time, I go hunting. I also enjoy photography and trying out new hairstyles.

- What is your favorite wood species?

Alyssa: - PurpleHeart Hands down; Great to work with, it’s strong AND beautiful. »


January 2025.

Our transactional site has come a long way over the years! We wanted to spotlight one of the faces behind these improvements: our Webmaster, Xavier Beauregard.
He agreed to share his journey, with a touch of humor, by answering our 5 questions.

« How long have you been with Commonwealth Plywood Distribution?

Xavier: - I joined CPCL more than a DECADE ago! Can you believe it? 2011, if I remember correctly.
Back then, I didn't yet have a car, and my daily commute to the Boucherville branch resembled a triathlon event: two subways, a bus and a good walk.
Today, I look back on that journey with nostalgia, realizing just how far I've come since then, in every sense of the word.

- What positions have you held over the years?
Xavier: - I've been a webmaster since I joined the company, a role that continues to evolve with the company's needs and new technologies.
This position has enabled me to develop a varied and versatile expertise.
It encompasses technical management and maintenance, content creation and design, as well as internal and customer support.

- What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Xavier: - What motivates me is to see the concrete evolution of the website over the years: new functionalities to meet needs, continuous improvements and, above all, the positive impact on online sales.
Contributing to this transformation and seeing the progress of the branches is a real source of satisfaction. Best wishes to my fantastic team, always ready to meet challenges with energy and good humor.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Xavier: - I practice judo, sarcasm and irony with passion. (WoooOoow Xa!) These activities help me keep my balance, both physically and mentally.

- What is your favorite wood species?

Xavier: - A few years ago, my contacts at Commonwealth Plywood recommended some excellent cabinetmakers.
In a spontaneous move, I bought myself a custom-made solid oak desk.
Since then, this species has become my “go-to” for all my furniture. For me, oak embodies robustness and timeless elegance. (Just like my sense of humor 😉). »


December 2024.

Sherry Vu, who works at our Waterloo branch, agreed to share her journey in 4 questions after 5 years of brightening up her colleagues' daily lives.

« - What positions have you held over the years?

Sherry: - I started off as Inside sales representative. I am currently Inside Sales Manager.

- What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Sherry: - I like that we are all striving for the same end game, to make our customers happy by providing them with the materials they need. Commonwealth has been ongoing for 84 years and counting, being part of that is extremely special.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Sherry - I do enjoy a good dance floor!

- What is your favorite wood species?

Sherry : - Poplar, Multipurpose, great core that gives you an opportunity to use it in different applications. »


October 2024.

Nathalie Couture, a pillar of the Quebec City branch whose smile brightens the days of her colleagues since April 1994, agreed to share her inspiring journey through 4 questions.

« What positions have you held over the years?

Nathalie: - I started out as an inside sales employee, then became an outside sales representative. I’ve been in the purchasing department at the Quebec City branch for a while now.

-What features of the company do you like the best and why?

Nathalie: - Respect for the individual is what I like best. It's nice to work in an environment where you feel respected.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?

Nathalie: - I don't have any particular talent, but I love traveling, learning about new cultures and reading.

- What is your favorite wood species?

Nathalie: - The walnut tree without hesitation.  »


September 2024.

At Commonwealth Plywood, our profiles are multi-talented and we aspire to bring them to light.  We would like to present through 4 questions the personality of Sudheendra Kashi, affectionately nicknamed Sudhi by his colleagues at Rexdale.

« What positions have you held over the years?
Sudhi: - I have previously held Regional Manager in my home country. I also worked as Operation coordinator, Team leader, Supervisor, Inventory Analyst, IT Business Analyst in my previous jobs over the course of my 23 years’ work experience.
I started one year ago with Commonwealth Plywood as a dispatch supervisor, and I’m currently the procurement specialist at the Rexdale branch.

- What features of the company do you like the best and why?
Sudhi: - The company have an Open-door policy. Working in an environment where you can freely share & implement your ideas is a great feeling.

- Do you have a special talent, unusual characteristic or favorite hobby?
Sudhi: - I am a handyman, so I collect all kinds of tools to be able to fix any issues at my work place or at home, I also like to listen to music while gardening.

- What is your favorite wood species?
Sudhi: - Oak as it’s a hard wood, great for making everything we need for daily use.  »


July 2024.

To mark Judy Wilhelmy's 20th anniversary with our company in January 2024, we'd like to highlight her personality and career through 4 questions.


« Which position did you have over the years?
Judy: - For the past 20 years, I've worked in customer service, then as a sales representative. Eventually I became sales manager, and now I've been branch manager of the Boucherville branch since the beginning of 2024.

- What features of the company do you like best, and why?
Judy: - The company's reputation in our industry offers the feeling of working for a company respected by its peers and suppliers.
The company supports advancement and self-fulfillment by providing access to technological tools, training and development.

- Do you have a special talent, an unusual feature or a favorite hobby?
Judy: - I'm a golf player and I love to go out dancing!

- And finally, what is your favorite type of wood?
Judy: - The black walnut. »


May 2024.