The labor shortage is not just making people miserable. Talk to the management of LOC International, which sells tools to help hoteliers in need of staff. This year, the Longueuil distributor also fitted out thousands of safes for Disney cruise ships.
Founded in 1988, LOC International is said to be the number one player in electronic equipment for the hospitality industry across the country.
Safes, locks, self-service check-in kiosks at reception for guests, televisions, refrigerators, alarm clocks. The offer is very varied.
The company of about fifteen employees can boast of having as customers hotel giants like Fairmont, Marriott and Hilton.
And even though this industry was hit hard during the pandemic – the bruises are still visible – LOC International saw its turnover increase fivefold between 2018 and 2021, from 2 to more than $ 10 million.
“We have 10,000 clients in North America […] In our field, we are probably the most complete company. We offer hoteliers everything under one roof and we manage the project from A to Z during a new construction, ”says President Vincent Beaudet.
“There were a lot of transactions during the pandemic. There are hotels that have changed hands. […] They took the opportunity to completely renovate, ”continues the businessman to explain the explosion in sales.
Among its products, the smart lock that works with a mobile application has charmed several hotel owners in recent months.
This tool allows customers to open their room door with their cell phone. He is no longer forced to go through the reception.
More tech
According to Mr. Beaudet, the hotel industry is doomed to use more digital solutions in the coming years, such as check-in kiosks at reception, due to recruitment difficulties.
“I think there is always going to be a mix of the two, humans and tools. However, this will help a lot with the labor shortage ”, believes the one who has been a co-owner of LOC International since 2019.
In recent years, the company has managed to gain the attention of US giant Disney Cruise Line for its products, so the company here is now considering opening an office in the United States. In addition to Quebec, it also has branches in Toronto and Edmonton.
“We are working to set up our LOC USA division. We have in mind to set up an American company to better attack this market, ”says Beaudet, whose target is 2022.
“In 2021, we delivered several thousand safes to Disney Cruise Line. The new boats are equipped with our products, ”he continues, specifying that this contract was signed last year.
The first order was for 5,000 safes. The first were installed at the start of the year.
In hospitals too
1is January 2021, despite the pandemic, Mr. Beaudet had decided to extend its range of products for the hotel sector to the medical sector. A bet that pays off so far. This company called LOC Medical is expected to end the year with a turnover of $ 1.5 million.
“We already have several hospitals, notably in Lévis, Saint-Georges, La Baie and Roberval. We just won a call for tenders in Ontario. We’re going to build the Kingston General Hospital, ”concludes Mr. Beaudet, who also has a contract for a hospital in Winnipeg in 2022.
PLACE International
- Turnover: 10 millions $ (2021)
- 15 employees
- The head office : Longueuil
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