About Guillemot International
Since 1984, Guillemot International has innovated by manufacturing flame-resistant knitted fabric and protective undergarments. We are a family business committed to offering our customers quality products.
With an in-house production chain, Guillemot International is a wholly self sufficient, integrated textile manufacturer offering seamless service throughout our processes. From the production of the knit or weaving raw materials to designing and producing our products, we offer high quality apparel, and years of expertise that sustains the highest product quality.
Specially designed to offer protection from extreme heat and cold, our clothing and undergarments meet the highest standards of many industries. Always on the lookout for new products or fiber blends, we offer workers and sports enthusiasts comfortable avant-garde high-end knits. From our manufacturing plant in the province of Québec, we serve all of Canada, the United States, South America and Europe regions.
Our mission
Our mission is to provide protective, comfortable and attractive clothing for high-risk professionals, outdoor adventurers, and others. We are committed to assuring our customers can perform their daily work efficiently and safely. Our garments are designed and manufactured specifically for the often dangerous work of firefighters, hydro workers, welders, foundry employees, rescue race car drivers and crews, and more.
While other garment manufacturers source their products overseas, we design and fabricate all our products in-house. Almost every piece of protective clothing we make starts from the simple threads we turn into outstanding wearables that consistently deliver protection, comfort and durability.
Our story
Guillemot International is a family business launched in Quebec City in the late summer of 1984. The family (a mother and her three sons) wanted to go into business. Initially the mother hand knits the sweaters which were then sold over the telephone. The organizations they approached were very interested in what they had to offer, so had to acquire a hand-powered flatbed knitting machine in order to produce larger quantities. The idea of creating flame-retardant knits was born during a visit to the Auto Show. After all, didn’t race car drivers also need to wear clothing that breathes while offering protection against heat?
Addressing very specific protection needs, new products were then created. Both for the world of automobile racing and for workers: t-shirts, sweaters, underpants, and balaclavas. The company produced a small volume of goods on a part-time, artisanal basis for about ten years. Later, it moved from the family home's garage to a space with a knitting machine, where the team began offering finished products. Cutting and sewing are now done on-site. Guillemot International's first major client, which enabled the company to take off full-time, was an institutional contract. With around 2,000 workers to outfit, the production pace increased, and the company had to move into a building where all the steps leading to the finished product are now done in one place. All these efforts were rewarded in 2014. Daniel Genest, the president of Guillemot International, received the 2014 Entrepreneur Award from the Saint-Hyacinthe Textile Technology Center. It was great visibility for an innovative company in the field of protective clothing.
Today, Guillemot International provides its knits to popular sporting brands in addition to dressing workers in the hydroelectricity field working outdoors, to firefighters from many different municipalities, and to Canadian Army F-18 pilots, among others. We invest a lot of effort in marketing our new products, keeping in mind the needs of race car drivers, industrial and corporate workers, as well as sports enthusiasts. The team members are optimistic about the future Guillemot International aims to stay connected with people while producing high-quality products that cater to their everyday needs.
Message from the President
Dear Visitors, Welcome to the official website of Guillemot International where you will discover our commitment to ensuring safety and innovation in the field of fire-resistant textiles. Since our inception, our mission has been clear: to protect individuals in the most demanding environments through high-performance textile solutions. Every day, we push the boundaries of technology to develop materials that are more durable, safer, and always compliant with the highest fire safety standards. Our team of experts is constantly driven by a focus on innovation, sustainability, and quality. Through our research and partnerships with key industrial players, we contribute to making the world a safer place, whether in the industrial, construction, or transportation sectors. I invite you to explore our website to better understand our expertise and discover how Guillemot International, can meet your specific needs. Thank you for your trust and interest in our products. Sincerely, Daniel Genest President