As part of our 70th anniversary celebration, we want to highlight the decisive turning points at Roy. that have redefined standards in the commercial janitorial industry, while reinforcing our caring commitment to our employees, our clients and the environment. Every milestone reached reflects our dedication to building a better future for the industry and all its stakeholders.
This anniversary is an opportunity to highlight our past achievements and reaffirm our commitment to innovating and positively influencing our sector for years to come.
6 decisive moments since 1954
Raising working conditions in the commercial janitorial industry
Roy.'s green shift
Celebrating and valuing the work of janitorial professionals
Going beyond cleaning to improve indoor air quality
Helping create more sustainable buildings
Adopting technology to support employees' work
1. Raising working conditions in the commercial janitorial industry
One of Jean-Yves Roy's earliest leadership mandates marked a decisive turning point in 1973. He played a key role in improving working conditions within the janitorial industry, successfully leading negotiations with FTQ Local 298 to establish a historic collective agreement. In 1975, these discussions resulted in a decree that truly transformed the daily lives of workers in the sector by raising their working conditions.
This commitment to employee well-being continues today under the inspired leadership of Julie Roy, President and CEO. Staying true to her grandfather's and father's values, she continues to place employees at the heart of the company's priorities, further strengthening the family legacy.
2. Roy.'s green shift
Roy.'s green shift began in 2003, when the company became the first commercial janitorial organization in Quebec to replace all its chemical products with eco-friendly, certified sustainable alternatives. This initiative not only set a new standard in the industry, but also marked the beginning of more than 20 years of environmental commitment for the well-being of the planet and future generations, in close collaboration with our clients and partners.
Among the concrete actions put in place:
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Reducing plastic waste by purchasing concentrated products in large formats;
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Managing greenhouse gas emissions;
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Gradually transitioning the vehicle fleet to electric cars;
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Prioritizing local suppliers;
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Using toilet paper and hand towel supplies made from recycled materials.
In 2023, Roy. reached a new milestone by becoming the first company in its industry in Quebec to obtain the Certification Carboneutre. A significant step that reaffirms our environmental commitment!
Stéphane Lafond, president and owner of Lalema, a Roy. partner company for cleaning equipment and products, highlights in this video the green shift initiated by Roy. in 2003, a turning point his company has actively supported.
3. Celebrating and valuing the work of janitorial professionals
At Roy., commercial janitorial attendants have always been the heart and driving force of the organization. Our dedicated teams work day and night to keep every hospital, school, building and office tower clean and safe for all its occupants.
Well aware of just how crucial her employees are, Julie Roy has committed to offering them a rewarding, distinctive and stimulating work environment, one that matches the impact they have every day. Talent at Roy. thrives in a caring environment, supported by leadership and colleagues alike. They benefit from perks and development opportunities that reflect recognition of their valuable contribution.
A turning point since the pandemic
If anyone still doubted the importance of commercial janitorial work in our society, the pandemic certainly confirmed just how essential this trade is. Our heroes, usually working behind the scenes, were thrust onto the front lines to help slow the spread of the virus, earning the well-deserved recognition of the entire population. Roy.'s employees didn't hesitate to go above and beyond during this critical period, providing invaluable support to our society.
4. Going beyond cleaning to improve indoor air quality
We know that effective cleaning isn't limited to what you can see. That's why we've developed cutting-edge expertise in ventilation system cleaning, eliminating dust, allergens and invisible contaminants. In 2021, Roy. acquired Air Innovation, a leading company in Quebec's air purification industry, founded by Martin Garon in 2003. And Roy. didn't stop there. Prop-Air, a leader in commercial and residential ventilation duct cleaning in the Outaouais region, has now been part of the big Roy. family for 9 months! Thanks to this focus on indoor air quality, we help create environments that are genuinely pleasant to live, breathe and work in. A complete offering to guarantee truly clean spaces!
5. Helping create more sustainable and efficient buildings
Thanks to our expertise in commercial janitorial work, we've also become experts in evaluating the materials used in buildings. We can quickly identify what's durable, what wears out too fast, and what stands the test of time.
Who better than Roy. to advise real estate developers on choosing the materials best suited to how their spaces will be used? Thanks to our know-how, we help them make informed choices that optimize the durability, functionality and efficiency of their projects, helping to create more resilient buildings.
6. Adopting technology to support employees' work
The next step for Roy. is to gradually integrate innovative technologies to better support our employees throughout their shifts. By leveraging the latest advances in the sector, we aim to make their work more efficient and less demanding, while improving their overall experience at Roy.
These technological tools also give our talent the opportunity to develop new digital skills, enriching their expertise and strengthening their role in the evolution of commercial janitorial work.
🤝 A technology success story at Roy.
At our Roy. Air Innovation subsidiary, using the world's top-performing robot for ventilation system cleaning allows our technicians to do their work with unmatched precision and ease. This lets them focus on what really matters.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, Roy. remains committed to pursuing the innovation and excellence that have defined its first 70 years. Under Julie Roy's leadership, we will continue to redefine standards in the commercial janitorial industry, while keeping the well-being of our employees, client satisfaction and environmental preservation at the heart of our priorities.
