Profile
Interstar, located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and Junction City, Illinois, USA is an internationally recognized market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative products for the concrete industry. Interstar has been an integral force behind the concrete revolution – the transformation from a basic building block into an art form. Founded by Zachary Gillman, Interstar’s hallmarks are innovation and quality. Mr. Gillman invests heavily in research and development to produce products and services that have propelled the concrete industry forward. He puts a premium on manufacturing only the highest quality products and providing top-notch services. Mr. Gillman’s approach has led Interstar to great success. Interstar is the number one pigment producer in Canada and Mexico and has an ever-increasing market share in the United States. Mr. Gillman is the force and inspiration behind all of the company’s innovations. His creativity and strive for excellence have lead to the development of products that have changed the concrete industry – from granular pigment to automated dispensing systems to novel packaging. He has single-handedly guided the company’s stellar growth and its strategic placement of facilities throughout North America. Mr. Gillman has won numerous awards for his business acumen. 
He was honored by the Business Development Bank of Canada for his leadership in business in 1999, and the Quebec Chamber of Commerce named Interstar The Manufacturer of the Year in 2002. In 2005, Interstar was the recipient of the Canadian Government’s Export Award in Research & Development. The Export Awards recognize those companies throughout Canada who have had a major impact on the Canadian economy through their exporting efforts. In July of 2006, Mr. Gillman was selected as a regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, which is an international award that recognizes the vital contributions of entrepreneurs — the leaders and creators who build and sustain world-class businesses that are a testament to vision, leadership, achievement, and social responsibility. Credo
1. Live By the Golden Rule
2. Be Innovative
3. Keep Our Promises
At Interstar, our employees are our number one asset - their hard work and dedication have made our success possible. We encourage and maintain a team approach in every aspect of our company, the foundation of which is based on open communication, information sharing and most importantly, respect. We support and promote personal and professional development. We encourage our employees to obtain the highest levels of education possible, for we truly believe that education is the key to success. Toward this end, we invest in our employees, and require a minimum of 40 hours of training per year - whether it is a university course or a one-day seminar on a particular topic related to their job. We have the utmost concern for the safety and well being of our employees and maintain a safe and orderly work environment. Our Customers We treat our customers the way we, ourselves, want to be treated – we are responsive, flexible and we strive to ‘get it right the first time’. Everything we do is centered on our customers’ current and future needs. To understand these needs, we maintain direct and open lines of communication -we are only a phone call or an e-mail away, no matter the location of our customers. We are truly a local player in a global world. By this we mean that in order to best serve our customers in the United States and Mexico, we established ourselves as local companies in both countries, rather than as a Canadian company doing business in a foreign country. We adopted the American and Mexican ways of doing business - priced in US Dollars and in Pesos, hired local talent and researched and understood their respective markets. Understanding the needs of the local markets in which we operate has allowed us to attain a better understanding of our customers. In turn, this has allowed us to be more responsive and to tailor our products to the specific needs of our customers. When it comes to innovation, our anything-can-be-done attitude propels us to find ways of addressing the unique needs of our customers and the market as a whole. We are not afraid to try new things if it means improving the industry - whether it is novel packaging, custom colors or state-of-the-art dispensers. The Environment We believe that taking care of the environment is as important as taking care of people. Interstar’s state-of-the-art facility in Sherbrooke, Québec was designed with a deep concern for the environment in mind. There are many design features within the manufacturing facility that safeguard the environment and preserve natural resources. For example, it is a zero-discharge facility, meaning there are no by-products from the manufacturing processes that are released into the atmosphere; it utilizes a state-of-the art air filtration system that collects dust created from the manufacturing of pigment; the heat produced in the manufacturing facility is recycled and used as a primary source of heat in the winter; and all waste water is purified and reused. The Community Our company reflects the demographics of communities in which we operate. We are very proud to have a staff that is comprised of individuals from all parts of the globe – Africa, South America, North America and Europe. Similarly, we are delighted to be able to offer people with disabilities a place where they can be accepted as part of a team, learn new skills, and hone those they already have while being paid fair and equitable wages for their efforts. We provide training, a supportive environment and competitive wages to individuals who may not otherwise find a place of employment. Suppliers We are suppliers to hundreds of companies and understand how challenging it is to maintain a competitive edge while maintaining customer satisfaction. We expect from our suppliers what we provide to our customers: top-quality products and services at a fair and reasonable price. History 1987 - 20001987:Interstar Pigments, Admixtures and Fibers was founded by the father-and-son team of Zachary and Samuel Gillman in Montreal, Quebec in 1987 solely as a distributor of admixtures and pigments to the concrete industry.1989:After completing several years of highly successful sales and profits, and after purchasing a manufacturing facility of concrete flue liners, Zachary bought out his father, who was approaching retirement, and decided to transform the company from a distributor to a manufacturer. In its first year as a manufacturer, Zachary tripled the sales of Interstar – an amazing feat by any account. 1992: The company entered a major expansion phase by moving its entire operations from Montreal to St-Élie d'Orford. In order to meet demand, an initial expansion of the facility was required, as well as equipment re-tooling. 1996 marks an important milestone for Interstar as it completed its transition from a distributor to manufacturer of its own products - Interstar Pigments and Admixtures. 1998 is a year of growth for Interstar. The St-Élie d'Orford factory is expanded to 40,000 square feet, and the Toronto, Ontario office and warehouse are opened. Interstar also expanded beyond Canadian borders into Mexico and began operations in Mexico City, Mexico, providing its products and services to the Mexican market under the name Interox. 1999: Interstar products and services enter the U.S. market on the wings of a new and dynamic sales force. Growth of sales in Western Canada warranted the opening of a new office warehouse in Calgary, Canada. Interstar’s research and development gave rise to a revolutionary new product for concrete coloring: Granastar, a ‘Grade A’ granular pigment which easily flows and disperses in the concrete mix to produce vibrant and intense colors. Interstar developed an accompanying granular dispenser and it’s results in increased productivity, diminished waste and improved safety. Zachary is honored by The Business Development Bank of Canada for his business savvy and leadership ability. 2000: Interstar acquired FIBERFORCE, a Toronto-based company that manufactures polypropylene reinforcing fibers for concrete. The St-Élie d'Orford facility is subsequently expanded to 43,000 square feet to accommodate the production of the new product. The addition of polypropylene fibers - marketed under the brand name Fiberstar® - allowed Interstar to differentiate itself from the competition by becoming the first company in the concrete industry to offer a complete range of products: pigments, admixtures and fibers. Interstar’s newly diversified product line helped position the company as a leading supplier of concrete products in the U.S. market. Interstar acquired a warehouse in Syracuse, New York. History 2001 - 20112001: In order to support its growth strategy in the U.S. market, Interstar opened new offices and warehouses in Centralia, Illinois and in Tampa, Florida, enabling the company to respond quicker to the needs of its growing U.S. clientele.2002: Interstar broke ground on a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada when the facility in St-Élie d'Orford reached full capacity. To accommodate increased demand for products in Mexico, Interox also acquired a larger warehouse facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The Chamber of Commerce of the Eastern Townships recognized Interstar as the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year. 2003:Interstar transfered manufacturing operations to its new facility in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The new 100,000 square foot complex would enable Interstar to increase its annual production capacity to 50 million pounds of granular, 100 million pounds of powdered, 16 million pounds of liquid pigments, two million pounds of fibers and more than three million gallons of admixtures. 2004: Interstar further broadened its capabilities by introducing two new divisions. Under the corporate umbrella of Interstar, two new divisions are formed: Interstar Pigments, Admixtures and Fibers, Interstar Pharmaceutical Research. IPR provides Medical Affairs services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies in the US and Canada with consultation services throughout all phases of the clinical development process – from Phase I through Phase IV. 2005:Interstar acquired a manufacturing plant in Junction City, Illinois which became Interstar’s U.S. Office. This 54,000-square foot facility increased production and warehousing capabilities and enabled the company to offer unparalleled service to the U.S. market. Interstar was the recipient of the Canadian Government’s Export Award in Research & Development, who recognize those companies throughout Canada who have had a major impact on the Canadian economy through their exporting efforts. 2006: Interstar forms a partnership with Cheng Design of Berkeley, California to offer the only complete line of quality products to design and build concrete countertops. Cheng Design, is an internationally recognized leader in kitchen and bathroom design. The Cheng-Interstar partnership brings together two award-winning companies to offer innovative products with unsurpassed quality to professionals and Do-It-Yourselfers to meet the growing demand for concrete countertops. Zachary was selected as a regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. He single-handedly led Interstar from a two-person, domestic operation to an international company that employs nearly 100 people in Canada, The United States and Mexico. To accommodate the growth of the business, Interstar added 5,000 square feet and 30,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space, respectively. Interstar introduces its Megastar3 automated dispensing system for the Ready Mix concrete industry, is the first and only fully automated, computer-controlled dispensing system for Ready-Mix plants. Its state-of-the-art technology allows Ready Mix plants to increase production efficiency, reduce waste and improve plant safety. 2007: Interstar was named as a finalist for the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce Reconnaissance Estrie in the category of Large Manufacturer. Is an annual competition that recognizes and honors the efforts and accomplishments of companies based in the Eastern Townships region of Québec (east of Montréal). Interstar was awarded the prestigious Mercure award in The Fédération of Quebec Chamber of Commerce Mercuriades Competition. Interstar won for the category of Industrial and Processing Production . Is the oldest and most prestigious competition honoring Québec-based companies. This prestigious award recognizes businesses for current success as well as for their potential for future growth. 2008: Interstar launched Easystar, an easy-to-use granular pigment dispenser for contractor supply stores and ready mix plants. Its unique design allows customers to offer an infinite number of colors while simultaneously reducing inventory and manpower. Interstar introduced Cheng by Interstar Pro-form mold Making System. The 100% recycled material and lightweight foam rails, makes building a countertop mold quick and easy. 2009: To meet the growing demand of the western U.S. and Canadian markets, Interstar opens their new 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Interstar launches five new green products for concrete: Nstar non-reactive stains; ISR – Interstar Sealer Remover, H2O sealer – Interstar’s water-based sealer; Kopa, a multi-purpose concrete cleaner that is a worker- and environmentally-friendly detergent for concrete; and Interstar Concrete and Granite Countertop cleaner. Interstar was selected as a regional finalist for the Quebec Workplace Heath and Safety Innovation Prize. The Innovation for Health & Safety in the Workplace Prize is a provincial –wide contest in which companies and their employees are rewarded for the innovative ways they adapt the workplace to make it safer by eliminating workplace hazards. Interstar launched four new green products for concrete: Nstar non-reactive stains; ISR – Interstar Sealer Remover, Kopa, a multi-purpose concrete cleaner that is a worker- and environmentally-friendly detergent for concrete; and Interstar Concrete and Granite Countertop cleaner. 2010: 2010 was an award-winning year for Interstar. Interstar received the Energy Efficiency award at the gala for The Mercuriades competition. Presented for the first time, the award honours the outstanding achievement of companies who have improved their energy efficiency. Interstar was the first and only company to win this award. Interstar President, Zachary Gillman, was chosen as a regional finalist for the 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Interstar was selected as a Regional Finalist in Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program for 2010. Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s best known business awards program, honouring successful Canadian-owned and managed companies. Recognition1999 Zachary Gillman was honored by the Business Development Bank of Canada for his leadership in business in 1999.2002 
The Quebec Chamber of Commerce named Interstar The Manufacturer of the Year in 2002.2005  In 2005, Interstar was the recipient of the Canadian Government’s Export Award in Research & Development. The Export Awards recognize those companies throughout Canada who have had a major impact on the Canadian economy through their exporting efforts.2006  In July of 2006, Mr. Gillman was selected as a regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, which is an international award that recognizes the vital contributions of entrepreneurs.2007 
Interstar was named as a finalist for the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce Reconnaissance Estrie in the category of Large Manufacturer. Reconnaissance Estrie is an annual competition that recognizes and honors the efforts and accomplishments of companies based in the Eastern Townships region of Québec (east of Montréal). Interstar was awarded the prestigious Mercure award in The Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec 2007 (Québec Chamber of Commerce) Mercuriades Competition. Interstar won for the category of Industrial and Processing Production . The Mercuriades Competition is the oldest and most prestigious competition honoring Québec-based companies. This prestigious award recognizes businesses for current success as well as for their potential for future growth. CareersAt Interstar, we believe that the success of our company is rooted in the strength of our greatest asset: our talented, motivated and innovative personnel.Interstar is an equal opportunity employer and our priority is clear: to hire the most talented and most qualified individuals available and to support them in the development of their respective fields of expertise. No positions currently available. There are no positions currently available. Please check our website periodically. We are a growing company and are often looking for talented people By e-mail jobs@interstar.ca By fax 819.563.1317 or 1.888.563.1317 By mail or in person Interstar - Jobs 4255 Portland Boulevard Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada, J1L 3A5 Corporate citizenship
Associations
NewsInterstar Materials, Inc. was selected as a Regional Finalist in Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program for 2010.
11-24-2010
Interstar Materials in Sherbrooke Quebec is pleased to announce that it was selected as a Regional Finalist in Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program for 2010
INTERSTAR’s President, Zachary Gillman, was selected as a regional finalist in Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of the Year Awards
08-10-2010
Sherbrooke, Quebec, July 7, 2010 – Interstar, a manufacturer of pigments, admixtures, fibers and automated dispensing systems for the concrete industry in Sherbrooke, Quebec, is proud to announce that its President and Founder, Mr. Zachary Gillman, was selected as a regional finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of the Year Award®.
INTERSTAR WINS THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARD AT THE MERCURIADES
05-07-2010
Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 7, 2010 – Interstar, a manufacturer of Pigments, Admixtures & Fibers for the concrete industry, of Sherbrooke, Quebec has received the Energy Efficiency award at the gala for The Mercuriades competition. Presented for the first time, the award honours the outstanding achievement of companies who have improved their energy efficiency. Interstar was the first and only company to win this award. The awards gala took place on the evening of May 6th, at Le Palais des Congrès in Montreal, Québec.
Interstar Materials Finalist in Quebec Mercuriades
03-29-2010
Sherbrooke, Quebec March 29, 2010 – Interstar Materials is pleased to announce that it is a finalist in The Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec 2010 Mercuriades Competition.
Interstar has developed a H1N1 Business Continuity Plan
10-29-2009
As the flu season begins and the H1N1 pandemic spreads throughout the world, we would like to assure you that we have developed a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to mitigate any risks that H1N1 poses to our health and business.
CHENG™ Concrete Countertop Training COMING to Canada!
09-01-2009
The intensive, 3-day program is being held for the first time in Canada at Interstar, the developer and manufacturer of the CHENG™ Concrete products Lline, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. This training will be conducted by professional CHENG™ instructors who teach the same course in Berkeley, California. Participants will learn advanced mold making, while also crafting full-scale concrete countertops.
Interstar Launches Three New Products
08-03-2009
Interstar adds 3 new products to its CHENG by Interstar Concrete Countertop line.
Interstar is a regional finalist for the Quebec Workplace Heath and Safety Innovation Prize
04-02-2009
The Innovation for Health & Safety in the Workplace Prize is a provincial –wide contest in which companies and their employees are rewarded for the innovative ways they adapt the workplace to make it safer by eliminating workplace hazards.
Interstar launches environmentally-friendly products.
03-10-2009
Interstar launches innovative green solutions for staining, sealing and cleaning concrete. Click here for more information.
Interstar’s Western Sales Manager to speak at the IPCMA fall meeting
09-21-2008
Interstar will be attending the IPCMA (International Packaged Concrete Manufactures Association) annual fall meeting,
Interstar to Exhibit at WHEN Recycling Expo in York, PA
09-21-2008
Interstar will be attending the WHEN Recycling Expo in York, PA September 24-25.
Interstar launches IBS – Interstar Business Solutions.
12-10-2007
Interstar launches IBS – Interstar Business Solutions. Click here to find out more…
Interstar, countertop specialist eye DIY product line
10-30-2006
Quebec-based pigment and admixture producer Interstar Corp. and interior concrete specialist Fu-Tung Cheng are teaming to expand the Cheng Concrete Countertop line of packaged products for sale through an online store and U.S. building supply retailers.
An odd love affair – with concrete
07-31-2006
Call it a love affair with concrete. Zachary Gillman moulded his brainchild, Interstar, from a concrete pigment distributor in Montreal with a handful of employees into the only Canadian company that manufactures and distributes a complete range of its own line of concrete pigments, admixtures, fibers, sealants, and automated pigment dispensers to markets across North and South America and the United Kingdom.
Interstar wins award.
03-13-2006
Interstar Materials of Sherbrooke, which manufactures pigments, admixtures and fibers for the concrete industry, has won a prestigious Canada Export Award for 2005 recognizing it as one of Canada’s most competitive companies in the global market place.
Interstar - Solid Performance in the Concrete Industry
03-01-2006
To honour the company’s commitment to identifying the needs of its Canadian and international clients – and for its investment in research, development and staff training – Interstar has been awarded the 2005 Research & Development Award.
Interstar becomes an imposing force on the international market
02-19-2006
A Sherbrooke-based company that has for mandate to offer innovative solutions for the concrete industry has distinguished itself on the international market.
Interstar international leader
02-07-2006
The Sherbrooke-based company Interstar is an international leader in the production of products and in the creation of innovative solutions that help to maintain the development efforts of the concrete industry.
Interstar has been awarded a Prize for Excellence
01-09-2006
Sherbrooke – The Sherbrooke-based company Interstar has just been awarded the Prize for Excellence in the Canadian exporter research and development division. Interstar is the only Quebec-based company to have been nominated this year.
Operation Red Nose is going strong
12-11-2005
The Sherbrooke branch of Operation Red Nose is going strong and the volunteers do not fear the cold when it comes to bringing people safely home during the second weekend of the operation.
Canadian Company Opens Manufacturing, Distribution Facility in Junction City
09-02-2005
A cement products company has selected the Centralia area to open its first US manufacturing facility. Interstar began moving into the former Dayton Superior Building on Madison Street in Junction City Thursday.
Research and Development Export Award
03-11-2005
Outstanding quality, efficiency and performance characterize the innovative solutions and products of Interstar, a company that manufactures pigments, admixtures and fibre for the concrete industry.
An homage to a pioneer - Sylvie Daigle has her monument
12-20-2002
In meeting the artist Pierre Chouinard some time ago, the maire Jean Perreault had the idea to give homage in a particular way to the speed skater Sylvie Daigle, who is the pride of the city of Sherbrooke.
Interstar will expand its production in the industrial park
03-20-2002
The city of Sherbrooke has paved the way for industrial manufacturing of 8 million $ that the Interstar company will realize as they leave the old St-Elie sector to move their operations into the regional industrial park.
Interstar cement deal with Sherbrooke for expension
03-20-2002
A multinational owned by a Lennoxville resident will soon be moving from St-Élie-d’Orford to Sherbrooke’s Portland Street once the city expands the artery. Interstar material’s move will result in the creation of up to 150 jobs in the new city within the next three to seven years.
Interstar Is Moving Full Speed Ahead
03-19-2002
By awarding Interstar the award for “Small Manufacturing Company”, the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce had it right. They shined their light on a company who, within a decade, and without fanfare, has distinguished itself on the international market.
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