Celebrating 55 Years of Operations in Canada
In 1963, French engineer Henri Vidal developed a groundbreaking composite material that utilized earth as its primary component. This innovative technology, known as Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE), came to be recognized as Reinforced Earth®. In April 1970, Reinforced Earth Company Ltd. (RECo) was established, becoming the first commercially registered Reinforced Earth company outside of France. Today, RECo proudly operates as a subsidiary of the Geoquest Group and Soletanche Freyssinet Group.
Early Foundations and National Expansion
Our journey began in Quebec, where our first structure was built in Percé in 1970. Early collaborations with the Ministry of Transportation Quebec (MTQ) on major highway initiatives, as well as landmark projects at St. Joseph’s Oratory and Hydro-Québec’s Manic Dam and James Bay sites, helped establish our reputation for delivering durable, cost-effective retaining wall solutions.
By 1978, we expanded westward, earning formal approvals from the transportation ministries of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Among our early notable projects were the Burlington Skyway, the Kananaskis Highway, and key segments of the Trans-Canada Highway near Banff, Norquay, and Jasper. Our technology was also successfully applied in industrial settings, such as a 45,000-tonne coal storage facility at Obed Marsh, constructed using sloped-panel systems.
Coast-to-Coast Successes
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, RECo solidified its position as a national industry leader. We contributed to the development of major transportation corridors, including British Columbia’s Coquihalla Highway, the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99), and Route 132 along Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula.
Over the past five decades, our portfolio has continued to evolve with the integration of new technologies such as TerraTrel®, TechSpan® precast arches, and other new solutions that meet the diverse needs of multiple industries. Since 1970, RECo has completed thousands of projects, constructing millions of square meters of Reinforced Earth® retaining wall structures from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. In 2005, we expanded our reach to the Caribbean, delivering our trusted solutions in new environments.
Looking Ahead
Since constructing Canada’s first Reinforced Earth® structure in 1970, we have remained dedicated to supporting the nation’s growing infrastructure needs with reliable and cost-efficient MSE solutions. As we celebrate 55 years of service, we extend our sincere gratitude to our clients, partners, and employees for their continued trust and support and are proud to announce we have rebranded as Geoquest to better reflect our expanded range of services.
Geoquest Canada Ltd. (formerly Reinforced Earth Company Ltd.) remains steadfast in its mission to deliver stability, safety, and long-term value for generations to come.
