Rideau (company)

Growth and transition

In 1912 the Stephenson Company, situated on Saint-Maurice Street in old Montreal, began as a producer of emblematic jewellery for associations such as the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations. During World Wars I and II, the company produced military insignia for the armed forces. However, in the mid 50’s the company's shares were sold to a U.S.-based company that moved Stephenson Company's headquarters to Montreal North. The company was later sold back to two Montrealers who had numerous business interests but nevertheless, Stephenson went into a steady state of decline.

In 1968, Ed and Phyllis Hart purchased the business—the company almost bankrupt and only staffing five employees. Its largest customer was Avon Cosmetics, which used the company's awards to incentivize its sales force. In the 70's Avon began selling Stephenson's jewellery door-to-door with its traditional cosmetics, which proved successful and helped the business to take off. In 1974, the Harts partnered with Maurice Bradden of D’Orlan Jeweler’s, helping to launch its manufacturing capabilities on the European continent in the Republic of Ireland. The facility produced Nina Ricci fashion jewellery in the European Common Market. Despite a major change in company leadership in 1978—the Harts selling the operation to their four children and family friend— the company continued to expand in Europe, opening a subsidiary in the United Kingdom called The Jeweller’s Guild in 1979. This branch of the company sold fashion jewellery by mail order. In 1980 other subsidiaries were set up in France, Holland and Germany—they also selling fashion jewellery by mail order. Stephenson and its subsidiary companies did well until 1982, when the company's own over-expansion and the recession of 1982 forced the company to change.

In 1983, the newly restructured company started producing the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian decoration, which up until that time had been produced in England by crown jeweller Garrards of London. At the suggestion of Bruce Beatty, the chief designer of the Canadian Honours System, the owners renamed the company Rideau to reflect their service the Governor General of Canada, who resides in Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Business under the Rideau name

Towards the end of the 80’s promotional products and fashion jewellery were increasingly being off-shored to the Far East, so the company began focusing on corporate recognition programs. It began providing fully outsourced recognition programs to RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, Molson, Alcan, Canadian Pacific, and the Government of Canada. In 1991, Rideau became the first Canadian company to be granted its own Coat of Arms by The Heraldic Authority, bearing the Latin motto Opus excellentiae ("Impressions of excellence").

In the last decade, Rideau has engaged in different joint-venture opportunities. In 1998 Rideau launched Yellowbox, a dot com subsidiary designed to help charities through online gift sales; however, Yellowbox dissolved a few years later. In 2005, Rideau formed an agreement with Ceridian, a U.S.-based human resources outsourcing firm, to deliver reward and retention programs to its clients. Rideau is also a sponsor of Recognition Professionals International.

Clients and competitors

A few of Rideau’s clients include: RBC, Boeing, BMO, Magna International, Scotiabank, Desjardins, Bell Canada, H&R Block, Owens & Minor, Alcan, Exxon, Alcatel-Lucent, Government of Canada, Oracle, Ericsson, Rona, Best Buy, Canadian Pacific, Irving Group, Molson, and James Richardson International. Rideau's competitors include O.C. Tanner, Globoforce, Maritz, and Terryberry.