A Company Built on Its History

Mr. Gaétan Genest and Mrs. Denise Rodrigue founded Les Équipements Gaétan inc. Originally, the company designed and manufactured equipment for the forestry industry.

LEG takes its first steps in the transmission line industry, conducting off-road soil surveys for Société Énergétique de la Baie-James (SEBJ).

LEG designs and builds its first hydraulic drilling rig on wheels, as well as its first off-road cement grouting unit. The effectiveness of this specialized equipment is quickly proven and recognized.

LEG moves into its new facilities, a 40,000ft2 workshop that meets its space requirements for continued growth.

LEG is developing a new foundation system in conjunction with Hydro-Québec: rock columns. To date, this type of foundation has proven to be more efficient and less expensive than the rock foundations traditionally used in the transmission line industry. In addition to being “cost effective”, this innovation has made a significant contribution to the environmental footprint of tower foundation construction by eliminating blasting and reducing soil reworking during construction activities.

Les Équipements Gaétan inc. becomes LEG inc.

LEG designs and manufactures its first 100% LEG drill, the ParaLEG. This new generation of hydraulic drills on wheels is optimized for the installation of guy wires

LEG innovates by designing and manufacturing automated systems for tensile testing of anchors up to 1,200kN. This new test rig is highly accurate, using the latest technology available on the market. In addition to its technical prowess, this new equipment is more productive and less costly to operate than the test stands traditionally used in the industry.

LEG is involved in its first major project outside Quebec: the Lower Churchill project. Over a period of 3 years, LEG will install more than 100,000 meters of drilled and injected guy anchors (8,415 anchors), carry out 3,400 tensile tests, install 132 rock columns and 83km of counterweight (MALT). In all, LEG will have contributed to the construction of more than 1,230km of power transmission line.

LEG’s succession is assured, with the founders’ children and their spouses joining as successor shareholders.

LEG designs and manufactures the 3rd generation of wheeled hydraulic drills, more efficient and robust than previous generations. The new generation is equipped with a brand-new system for controlling and automating drilling operations, increasing drilling performance and precision to meet very tight installation tolerances.

LEG’s expertise is recognized from coast to coast. Thanks to the Lower Churchill project, LEG’s reputation is recognized in the industry as the benchmark for the installation of drilled/injected anchors. At the owner’s request, LEG is invited to perform an autopsy on a faulty anchor that caused a tower to fall during the transmission line construction phase.

LEG transfers its engineering activities to Quebec City, opening an office in the nation’s capital.

To optimize its rock column installation operations, LEG designs and manufactures its first large-diameter attachment, capable of drilling diameters from 12“ to 26”.

Constantly aware of the importance of ensuring the safety of its workers, LEG incorporates SaveX safety systems on its drilling equipment. This detection system alerts workers when they enter the equipment’s danger zone, and automatically cuts off drilling operations when workers are inside the zone.

LEG installs its first rock foundations for self-supporting towers. In so doing, LEG evolves into a foundation contractor.

LEG manages its first major project with more than one simultaneous work front. In October 2019, LEG mobilizes on the Ontario East-West Tie project in northern Ontario; it is on this project that LEG will learn multi-site management and optimization of highly complex operations. The project, spread over more than 400km, will be completed in record time thanks to this apprenticeship.

LEG installs its first micropile foundations. At its customer’s request, LEG sets up a 140mm micropile foundation for guyed pylons.

LEG became a turnkey foundation contractor. Having mastered the installation of drilled/injected foundations and anchors, the next step for the company was to evolve into a specialist in all types of foundations required for the construction of power transmission lines. In 2020, LEG deducts its foundation installation and overburden anchoring operations.

LEG acquires its first double-rotation down-the-hole drilling rig. This acquisition enables LEG to install 177 to 219mm micropiles for self-supporting pylon foundations.

LEG must manage 2 large-scale projects simultaneously. In September 2020, LEG will mobilize several production units on the Watay Power project in northwestern Ontario. For more than 1 year, LEG will be running the Ontario East-West Tie project and the Watay Power project simultaneously.

LEG diversifies its operations. In 2021, LEG obtains its first opportunity in the electrical substation market, drilling piles for several electrical substations in the Watay Power project.

LEG learns to manage a portfolio of projects. During 2022, LEG piles up projects and learns to manage 8 to 10 projects simultaneously. By necessity, LEG has the opportunity to train new project management teams, refine its resource planning tools, cash management, financial planning and project management processes. It was at this point that the “LEG Project Office” was born.

LEG enters the helicopter drilling market. In 2023, LEG designs and manufactures its own fleet of helicopter-borne equipment, with capacities under 4,000lbs and 8,000lbs.

LEG opens a heavy equipment maintenance facility in Trois-Rivières.

LEG enters the telecommunications market. In 2023, LEG installs its first foundations for cellular communication towers.

LEG is the recipient of the 2024 Innovation Award from the Association des Constructeurs de Routes et Grands Travaux du Québec (ACRGTQ), adding its name to those of a leading Quebec builder.

LEG celebrates its 40th anniversary, and takes advantage of the occasion to give itself a facelift by unveiling its new brand identity.