Céragrès, a Quebec company known for its expertise in high-end materials and finishes, announces a major development as Philippe Gervais takes the reins from his father, Guy Gervais. The succession brings a renewed vision centred on the human element and innovation.

Leadership with deep roots in the human experience

Philippe is a dynamic entrepreneur with an unconventional career path. After a decade leading his own tile company, he brings a deep understanding of the industry to his new role, making him an accessible, active leader for his teams and clients.

“I have first-hand experience of jobsites and all the long days, unforeseen issues, deadline pressure,” he explains. “I know what it’s like for a tiler to spend hours kneeling, adjusting every single tile to make sure the pattern is perfect. It’s a profession that requires precision, patience and passion. The experience taught me humility, respect for quality fork and, above all, the importance of building trust-based relationships with the people who bring each project to life.”

Because of his conviction that thriving teams breed success, Philippe has hired an executive coach – a rare move in Quebec – to support internal leadership development and build an organizational culture fully aligned with human values.

“I want everyone to feel valued at Céragrès, and to be equipped with the confidence and tools they need to succeed,” Philippe adds. “When I agreed to take over the company, I knew right away that I wanted support in building a healthy environment based on solid values like integrity and collaboration. I believe that to lead well, you have to examine yourself, take a step back, and build self-awareness. Coaching helps me hone my reflexes, understand myself, and stay aligned with the values that matter to me.”

Innovation serving creatives

At Céragrès, innovation is not limited to human resources. Working with independent creative agency LG2 to rethink its brand image and launch a digital transformation – integrating technology solutions from Lightbeans — Céragrès is reaffirming its commitment to equipping its professionals with the most advanced tools. More specifically, these innovations allow architects and designers to pre-visualize and integrate Céragrès products directly into their projects for optimal efficiency and precision.

Philippe has an affinity for natural materials such as stone, and a passion for the story materials tell. He sees each project as a unique opportunity to meet the client’s precise needs.

“The objective is always to recommend the right product for the right project, with extreme precision. As I see it, excellence is the ability to meet professionals’ specific requirements while ensuring the quality, coherence and durability of the spaces we help build,” Philippe explains.

A dual vision: design and collaboration

As well as preparing to take the reins at Céragrès, Philippe shares his life with Julia Johnson, the founder, creative director, and soul of Le Centerpiece, a Montreal space acclaimed for its collection of fine retro furniture and sensitive approach to interior design. Together, they form a closely knit team in life and business alike, united by a shared love of beauty and exceptional attention to detail.

“We’re already working together on several projects, where our respective worlds overlap. These are ideas that emerge naturally, built on a shared desire to create meaning and beauty,” Philippe notes.

The couple’s personal and professional synergy breathes fresh energy into each shared project, resulting in collaborations as elegant as they are inspiring.

Continuity grounded in strong values

Under the leadership of Philippe Gervais, Céragrès remains true to its core values – integrity, accountability, curiosity, excellence and collaboration – while also being strongly committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

“My desire is to move the company forward with heart and clarity. To stay true to what we are while also daring to go where we’ve never gone before. We’re relying on a solid foundation but looking far ahead, with the desire to innovate, rethink our processes and better equip the people who build the world around us.”

A well-planned diversification grounded in quality local products

Céragrès’ mission is deeply embedded in its DNA: to offer very high-quality products that are aesthetically appealing, functional, and fairly priced. The pursuit of excellence guides all of the company’s decisions, reflected in a well-curated selection of materials chosen as much for their technical characteristics as their natural beauty.

In that vein, Céragrès is undertaking a strategic diversification of its offerings. For the first time, the company is adding all-new products to its catalogue, with a particular focus on raw materials, specifically natural stone. This evolution opens the path to a broader, decidedly global vision, while highlighting Canadian natural stone. The company is thus affirming its commitment to grounding its approach in the Canadian landscape and helping support local resources.

This renewed direction is also driven by the arrival of talented new team members specializing in natural stone and artisanal products. These experts allow Céragrès to meet more complex and specialized requirements while enhancing the company’s ability to contribute to high-profile projects. The company is also putting greater emphasis on Canadian artisans, who it actively supports and promotes through its catalogue, with the aim of recognizing local expertise and committing to responsible purchasing.

While diversifying its offer, Céragrès remains closely aligned with its vision: offering materials that inspire, that elevate spaces, and that are part of a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and timeless design approach.