The Story of a Growing Powerhouse
Founded in 1938, Baillargeon MSA has grown from a local family business into a regional leader in concrete, asphalt, civil engineering, and fleet operations. With key operations in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu and Saint-Césaire, the company handles complex infrastructure work across Quebec’s South Shore and Eastern Townships.
The business is diversified, but coordination is at the core. On the concrete side, two dispatchers are assigned by site and manage daily truck dispatch based on incoming orders. For bigger jobs, they sometimes turn to subcontractors or bring in external drivers from partners like Béton du Coteau. On the civil engineering side, one dispatcher manages multiple crews: aqueduct, sewer, and paving teams, and the heavy equipment they require. Everything moves fast, and before CDWare, coordination relied heavily on phones and routine habits.
As their service offering grew, it became harder to maintain visibility and stay reactive. They needed a tool that could keep up with their pace and complexity without slowing them down.
A Legacy of Innovation: The Baillargeon Family Through Generations
The Baillargeon story is one of hard work, succession, and smart expansion. It began in 1924 when Philippe Baillargeon joined his father Pacifique’s company. In 1938, Philippe formally incorporated P. Baillargeon Ltée, setting the stage for future growth.
Through the 1950s and 60s, the company took bold steps, adding operations in asphalt, stone, and concrete, acquiring Union Construction, and creating new branches like Les Entreprises Frontenac. After Philippe’s sudden death in 1962, his son Pierre stepped in to lead.
By the 1990s, the third generation was ready. Pascale and Philippe-Antoine joined the company and worked alongside their father. In the early 2000s, they helped lead two key acquisitions: Les Bétons du Coteau and Béton MSA. Then came several rounds of restructuring, which resulted in the creation of specialized entities under the Groupe Baillargeon-MSA: MSA Infrastructures, Baillargeon Matériaux, Baillargeon Équipements, and others.
In 2016, Pascale and Philippe-Antoine officially took over. They focused on technology, sustainability, and strengthening the company’s position in multiple sectors. Over the years, the company and its leaders have received numerous awards and recognition for their contributions to the industry and to the region.
The Reality Before: Blind Spots and Bottlenecks
Before CDWare, visibility was the biggest issue. While the mixer trucks were tracked with Road King, dump trucks weren’t connected to any system. For nearly two years, teams operated without any GPS. “We had to call the guys to ask where they were, when they’d be back, things like that,” said Marie-France Côté, [Quel est son rôle exact?]. “It was a lot of back-and-forth by phone.”
The impact was real. Dispatchers couldn’t predict delays or make informed decisions on the fly. Missed calls or optimistic ETAs would throw off the rest of the schedule. Everything took longer. Meanwhile, maintenance tracking was manual, inconsistent, and hard to share between teams.
Why CDWare Made Sense
Baillargeon didn’t go looking for CDWare. They were already using Road King when CDWare acquired it. That transition turned into an opportunity to do more. CDWare gave them the chance to unify their entire fleet under one platform and go beyond basic tracking.
CDWare covered not just mixer trucks, but dump trucks and even equipment tied to the plants. They brought tools like QR-coded digital tickets, driver tablets with GPS routes, and a real-time dashboard for dispatchers. “They don’t just say no when we ask for something new. They listen, they adapt,” said Côté.
“It doesn’t feel like customer support. It feels like we’re building it together.”
Baillargeon MSA
The platform also worked well with their internal structure. They had a designated super-user to manage settings, users, and changes on the fly. It gave the team more control and flexibility.
A Rollout That Just Made Sense
The rollout was smooth. CDWare sent templates to fill out, set up the platform, and walked them through the process. The training was clear and practical. Once live, the Baillargeon team was able to manage the platform on their own.
The first big win was preventive maintenance at Béton du Coteau. One mechanic manages a small fleet, and before CDWare, he tracked everything in a notebook. “He’d try to remember what he did three months ago,” said Côté. “Now, everything’s in the system.”
CDWare didn’t stop at deployment. When Baillargeon asked for better maintenance tracking with task lists and checkboxes, the product team responded.
“They didn’t just take notes. They actually built the improvements.”
Baillargeon MSA
From Phones to Screens: Life with CDWare Now
Today, CDWare is part of the daily workflow. Dispatch offices in Saint-Jean and Saint-Césaire have wall-mounted screens showing where trucks are and what jobs are in progress. Teams don’t need to guess or make calls. They can see everything as it happens.
For dump trucks, some GPS units are still being adjusted, but dispatchers already use the platform to catch delays, breaks that run long, or unexpected routes. For concrete, the goal is to phase out paper entirely. Tablets are being used to send routes and instructions, and clients will sign digitally. QR codes on trucks let them access their tickets directly.
Everything from dispatching to delivery to customer service is becoming faster and more reliable.
Early Wins: What Changed Immediately
The difference was obvious within days. “There’s way less chaos,” said Côté. “Fewer calls. Less chasing. More confidence.” Teams don’t need to rely on memory or gut feeling anymore. The data is there. Live updates let dispatchers adjust quickly if something goes off plan.
Maintenance scheduling has also improved. With alerts and live mileage counters, they can act before things break. Even for teams still transitioning, like the dump truck division, the shift is already being felt.
“You can’t manage what you can’t see,” said Côté. “Now, we see everything.”
More Than a Software Provider: A True Partner
One thing Baillargeon highlights is the relationship. When their GPS units were installed incorrectly by a third-party, CDWare didn’t wait. “They sent a tech in the evening because he knew our trucks would be out all day,” said Côté.
She also praised the access they have to people who build the product. “I was connected directly to their product expert. I sent him a list of suggestions, and he said, perfect, we’re working on that.”
This kind of openness isn’t common. For Baillargeon, it makes a difference. They don’t just use CDWare, they help shape it.
Looking Ahead: From Construction to Snow Clearing
Baillargeon is expanding again, this time into snow removal. They’ve purchased equipment from another company and plan to manage the new division with CDWare from day one. With strict municipal and MTQ rules, GPS tracking is required. CDWare will provide the visibility and data they need to meet the standards.
The company also sees a bigger role for data and automation across its operations. “We’re not just catching up,” said Côté. “We want to be ahead.” For a company with deep roots and ambitious plans, CDWare helps make that possible.
The Takeaway
Baillargeon didn’t just adopt a new platform. They changed the way they work. With CDWare, teams are more connected, more informed, and more efficient. What used to be reactive is now under control. And what used to be invisible is now clear.
If you’re running a multi-site, multi-service operation, Baillargeon’s story shows what’s possible with the right tools and the right people behind them.
CDWare isn’t just a tool. It’s how you stay in control.
