Canus contributes to nourishing a better world by offering skin care products made with fresh goat’s milk, manufactured in partnership with our dairy milk producers, while being socially involved in the community. These premium products are globally distributed and are manufactured in accordance with eco-responsible principles and values, that promote and enhance the well-being of family members.
Canus is celebrating an important milestone in 2018: the company has been making 100% Canadian goat’s milk skin care products for 20 years. As the future looks bright in local and international markets, Canus introduced a new image for its Caprina and Nature by Canus brands, while decidedly adopting a greener approach to business.
In 1991, Founder and President, André Beauregard resigns as sales manager for an import company to start his own seasonal item wholesale venture. Since his products are sold in Canada and the United States, he decides to call the business Canus, combining the names of the two countries. Over the years, Canus’ offering becomes better defined. As aromatherapy gains popularity, Mr. Beauregard begins importing scented candles, home fragrances, incense, etc. Then, one day, a client asks him for goat’s milk skin care products. At the time, these are rare and very expensive, and their shelf life is limited to six months. Mr. Beauregard sees a business opportunity and decides to create such products himself.
Mr. Beauregard challenges a Procter & Gamble retiree specialized in research and development to develop formulas that maintain the hydrating properties of goat’s milk, while increasing the products’ shelf life. The scientist succeeds in prolonging it to five years, making the item commercially viable and confirming Mr. Beauregard’s instincts. In just a few years, Canus’ “Original Formula” becomes the second best-selling bar soap in Quebec drugstores. Twenty years later, the company sells 70 goat’s milk products, including body lotion, body wash, bar soap, bubble bath, liquid hand soap, etc. In addition to its famous Original Formula, these products are offered in different fragrances such as Shea Butter, Lavender Oil, Orchid Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Mint and also available in Fragrance Free.
Canus uses fresh goat’s milk collected from Quebec farmers before transforming it and packaging the finished products in Quebec and Ontario, which makes it one of the few entirely Canadian soap manufacturers.
The company, whose offices are located in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough, is ranked fifth among Canada’s soap manufacturers. Beyond the national realm, it has been developing a global presence in Europe, with the arrival of Costco France, Costco Spain and Asia. Caprina’s smiling goat can be found on the shelves of many overseas retailers, including big-box stores, drugstores and specialty shops. With one million bars of soap produced each month, and boasting an enviable position within the industry, André Beauregard and his team have been working hard over the past few years to make operations more environmentally friendly. “We hope to stand out from our competitors by making smarter decisions,” he said.
Since 2013, whenever the company has had to replace one of its vehicles, it has opted for hybrid technology. It has equipped its warehouse with smart lighting to reduce energy use, and its shipping boxes are made with recycled cardboard. Four years ago, it began using thinner cardboard for its packaging (with 8% less corrugation) and it continues to work toward increasing its sustainable practices. Finally, the company has been testing different printing methods using vegetal-based inks and improving the recyclability of its plastics. In addition, Canus produces sustainable, carbon-negative palm oil for its Nature line. Handpicked from a strictly organic, 4,000-hectare plantation, palm fruits are pressed without consuming external energy. In fact, the boiler used to extract the palm oil is fuelled by palm tree husks and fibres.
5th largest soap manufacturer in Canada
70 fresh goat’s milk products
