Mecano and Black Bruin are determined to conquer the Canadian forests

Mécano RL and RL Équipement of Québec, Canada became a Black Bruin distributor in 2019. Established in 1993, its name inspired by its founder, Renaud Lavoie, the company specializes in hydraulic system repairs and selling forestry equipment such as harvester heads, forwarders, log loaders, truck cranes, firewood processors, and hydraulic excavators. Customer service is a top priority for them, where there’s a comprehensive inventory of parts to meet customers’ needs as quickly as possible – a must according to Renaud, who has worked in hydraulics all his life and also to son Bruno, who is gradually taking over operative responsibility with sister Mariève.

The vast Canadian forests

Mecano Mobile’s customers come about 90% from the forest industry, the rest being from construction and agriculture. The company has already cooperated for a number of years with Kesla, supplying their harvester heads and loaders to consumers and likewise with Sampo Rosenlew. Bruno Lavoie says that Mecano Mobile’s experts had also been servicing rotators for Black Bruin even before the start of the dealership. “In fact, there was nobody else doing that in our part of Canada,” Bruno Lavoie explains. “In eastern Canada, Quebec area, it’s over 90% cut-to-length, whereas in western Canada they use a different method with bigger machines. In southeast it’s also more wheel machines than tracks,” Bruno describes the differences in logging in this country with its immense forest resources. “In Canada, it’s easy to make a 14 – 16-hour drive,” he pinpoints.

Black Bruin accepts the challenge

Bruno and the rest of the Mecano Mobile team have taken on a good challenge because the Black Bruin brand has not been so well known even in eastern Canada. “Most of the loggers didn’t know it, except some Waratah users – and that is because most the Waratah’s come with a Black Bruin rotator,” Bruno describes the situation and continues: Now it’s also known amongst the Logmax users, partly because there is a Logmax dealer only a few villages away from us and the cooperation has got off to a good start. Black’s Bruin’s brand awareness is increasing rapidly simply because it’s now been available.”

Why the logger needs a better product

In Canada, the mentality is “the bigger the better, why not,” Bruno describes his clients’ thinking. “With quality that lasts longer Black Bruin products fit that picture very well. Loggers like them,” Bruno explains further with satisfaction. He also goes into some more technical background: ”It’s easy to understand why to choose a Black Bruin rotator because it’s using the same radial piston construction as with a wheel motor. This, accompanied by the use of very strong bearings, is also one decisive reason why Black Bruin rotators have that unparalleled staying power, superior TCO. You need to change them pretty much never,” Bruno boasts.

When there’s a will

So there will likely be more “bears” in the Canadian forests. The industry in Canada is currently fighting the spruce bug with true Canadian determination. “It’s not easy, but people are working at full speed,” Bruno explains the situation. Speaking of bears, Bruno knows the Finnish Karhu beer. If only it were sold in Canada, perhaps Bruno could have one after playing volleyball, his active hobby for 17 years, or driving snowmobiles in the deep snow and vast forests of Canada.