A founding Director of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and President of Agropur, Serge Riendeau was selected one of Quebec’s persons of the year by Forces Magazine. Mr. Riendeau was recognized along side Premier Philippe Couillard, Secretary General of the la Francophonie Michaëlle Jean and the young filmmaker Xavier Dolan.
Mr. Riendeau has a long history in the co-operative sector dating back more than 30 years, when he was director of the Agricultural Co-operative Society of Coaticook Quebec. He has spent the last 23 years on the Board of Directors of Agropur, and has been President since 2002.
During his time at the helm, the company has experienced unprecedented growth including several major acquisitions which will propel Agropur into the rank of largest dairy processor in Canada. Agropur now operates forty plants in North America on behalf of 3,500 member dairy farmers The co-operative employs more than 6,500 people today. The company generates four billion in revenue and $ 110 million in member rebates. The recent acquisition of the US company Davisco has expanded Agropur into new markets, adding Asian market share with the new subsidiary.
A dairy farm owner for 35 years, Serge Riendeau has also been an elected municipal councillor in the Township of Barnston and holds the professional designation Adm.A. of the Order of Chartered Administrators of Quebec. Mr. Riendeau was also celebrated by the Agricultural Fair in Saint-Hyacinthe in January, where he was honoured at their Gala for his “great influence on the course of history in the dairy industry in Canada.”