A family tradition
Considered a unique phenomenon in both Quebec and Canada, four generations in direct succession have headed the Fromagerie Perron (Perron Cheese Factory), a company that has been around for over a hundred years. Far from being run-of-the-mill, this historical landmark now figures in the annals of the Canadian cheese industry. The story begins with the arrival of its founder in Saint Prime.

Adélard Perron, the patriarch of the line, arrived in Saint Prime, a newly colonized land, to practice his craft. Barely 30 years of age, he built the Fromagerie Perron that is now the Musée du fromage cheddar in 1895. He owned the company until 1917.

Johnny Perron, second in line, succeeded his father in 1917. He developed the company by adding butter making in order to prolong the production season.

In 1920, Joseph Perron, Adélard’s eldest son, bought the family business. With the help of his five sons, four of whom were cheesemakers, he built up the business during the forty years that he managed it. After his death in 1960, his wife, Marie Lamontagne, inherited the company. With the help of her son, Augustin, who had been a cheesemaker since 1946, she kept the business running until 1963.

Albert Perron, Joseph and Marie’s eldest son, acquired the family business in 1963. A reputable cheesemaker, Albert put his entrepreneurial talents to work by investing in expanding the company based on the reputation of its cheddar. In 1968, he built a new factory on land next to the ancestral cheese factory and pursued his development projects. Thus he headed the destiny of the company until his death in June of 2000.

Joining his father in business in 1969, Jean-Marc Perron, fourth generation in line, got his diploma as a dairy industry technician in 1973. Since the death of his father, he has been acting President of the company and makes sure that the high quality of standards for Perron cheddar are met, a trademark par excellence of the family tradition.