Our
history
Innovation at the heart of a family tradition
Thermo 2000 was founded thanks to the story of an entrepreneur and a constant vision for the future, creating a stellar corporate culture that has spanned three generations. Since 1978, we have been designing and manufacturing electric boilers and indirect water heaters in Richmond, located in the heart of the Eastern Townships, for residential, commercial, and institutional projects.
Louis Cloutier
It all began with the journey of our founder, Louis Cloutier. Born into a large rural family in Racine, Quebec, he later settled in Richmond with his own family. Both as a businessman and an entrepreneur, he embodied the spirit of a builder deeply engaged in his community. With remarkable determination and drive, he founded Thermo 2000. Alongside his wife Mariette, and later with the support of his children and grandchildren, he built it into a thriving manufacturing company, now exporting across North America. From one generation to the next, this family business has always been rooted in the highest standards, driven by innovation and ingenuity.
From furniture to heating
Louis Cloutier, then owner of a furniture and appliance store, began developing a new type of furnace in his basement. Recognizing the limitations of the heating systems in his rental properties, he began thinking about practical and better-adapted solutions. He dreamed of a compact appliance that could meet residential heating needs while reducing energy consumption and costs. His intuition and self-taught ingenuity quickly started to pay off.
Thermo 2000 Inc., was officially incorporated as a manufacturing company, with its electric boiler, the BTH, in the process of being patented. The first boilers were designed, assembled, and tested in the basement of one of Mr. Cloutier's buildings, propelled by his entrepreneurial and visionary spirit.
With sales of Thermo 2000 products exceeding expectations, Louis Cloutier sold his furniture business, Meubles Louis Cloutier Inc., to devote himself entirely to Thermo 2000. His wife Mariette joined the adventure and took charge of finances and administration.
Growth in Quebec
Thermo 2000 expanded steadily, with orders ranging from residential installations to heating systems for sawmills and commercial buildings.
The first commercial electric boiler, the DTH, was launched. The company relied on a subcontractor network across the Eastern Townships region, with locally machined parts, welding, and more, and all assembled at the Richmond plant.
By highlighting the advantages and cost savings of its heating products, Louis Cloutier built strong relationships with installers, plumbers, electricians, and Quebec distributors. The company became synonymous with quality and impeccable after-sales service.
Louis Cloutier began a new phase of research and development in hydronic systems, including an indirect water heater. This would mark a turning point and open a new chapter for the company.
The arrival of indirect water heaters
and entry into U.S. markets
The 1990s were marked by the design of instantaneous indirect water heaters.
The TurboMax (formerly known as Optimizer) was launched and patented in both Canada and the United States. These high-performance systems quickly gained traction in the institutional, commercial, and multi-dwelling sectors, giving Thermo 2000 new momentum.
The company began to carve out a place for itself in the US market thanks to Pierre-Yves Cloutier, the founder's son, who remains dedicated to developing projects and a distribution network in the northeastern United States.
Staying true to its regional roots, Thermo 2000 maintained its operations in Richmond and remained focused on product quality and customer service. Customer demand continued to grow.
A new factory and modernization
At the turn of the millennium, in order to meet growing demand, Thermo 2000 began construction of a new factory in Richmond’s industrial park.
The modern 19,000 sq. ft. plant was built in 2002 and officially opened in 2003. This $1.2M investment doubled production capacity and brought in new specialized equipment.
After completing his studies in mechanical engineering, Louis Cloutier’s grandson, Jean-Philippe Turcotte, joined the company in 2003, contributing to the plant’s construction process and spearheading the arrival of the BTH ULTRA boiler. He left in 2007 to pursue a career at BRP.
The welding section was expanded by 4,000 sq. ft., bringing the facility to approximately 23,000 sq. ft.
The MINI electric boiler was introduced for small-load applications of 12 kW or less.
As Thermo 2000 forged ahead, founder Louis Cloutier began to think about succession.
Innovation and family succession
The 2010s marked the arrival of the third generation at Thermo 2000. After careful reflection and with expert advice, Louis Cloutier and his wife Mariette put in place a succession and governance strategy.
A new T2 UltraSmart controller dedicated to Thermo 2000 boilers was launched, and the warehouse section was expanded by approximately 12,000 square feet for a total of 35,000 square feet.
Jean-Philippe Turcotte returned to the company in 2013 after gaining experience at BRP and became manager of the Richmond plant. He has played a key role in the growth and modernization of Thermo 2000, in areas, such as innovative product development, training, and marketing. Charles Dumoulin, also an engineer and grandson of Louis Cloutier, was involved in production and procurement at the plant. Finally, Marc-André Dumoulin, another grandson of Louis Cloutier and an expert in technology business solutions, got involved in administration.
The second generation of BTH ULTRA electric boilers with electronic controllers was launched.
The BuffMax buffer tank and ComboMAX ULTRA combination boiler were introduced to the market.
The VoltMax commercial electric boiler up to 180 kW and the AltSource high-mass residential boiler were released.
The DoubleMax double-walled indirect water heater was put on the market.
The power of the VoltMax commercial boiler was expanded from 180 kW to 408 kW.
At the same time, at the request of Mr. and Mrs. Cloutier, their daughter Jocelyne Cloutier took over as president of the company and chair of the board of directors, sharing governance with Myriam Cloutier, a vice president. Together, they ensured a unified family leadership consistent with the founder’s values.
Market expansion
and infrastructure modernization
The VenTUM fan coil unit with electronic controller was launched.
A major investment expanded the plant to 60,000 sq. ft. for storage and manufacturing. That same year, the next generation of the TurboMax indirect water heater was released.
The lightweight BTH ULTRA XL electric boiler (72 kW) entered the market.
Thermo 2000 has entered a new phase of maturity, remaining innovative and dedicated to energy efficiency. The company now employs more than 80 people while staying true to its founding values: innovation, quality, and pride in being Quebec-based.
Today, Thermo 2000 continues to grow steadily. The company is well-positioned with engineers and installers seeking hydronic heating and domestic hot water solutions for large-scale projects. Thermo 2000 products are used in consumer homes, schools, hospitals, sports complexes, and government buildings across North America.
Thermo 2000 today
Thermo 2000 joins Innovair Solutions
From these strong and stable foundations, the company now starts a new chapter by joining Innovair Solutions. Thanks to this merger, Thermo 2000 will gain access to new markets, including the United States, and benefit from Innovair Solutions' resources to accelerate its growth.
Innovair Solutions is a leading designer and manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products for residential, commercial and industrial markets. Formed from a merging of several companies, the group has built its success on decades of expertise and over 1,200 employees. Several of its brands specialize in heating and air conditioning systems, such as boilers, furnaces and heat pumps. Innovair Solutions also offers high-quality electric heating solutions under the Ouellet and Stelpro brands, which target different needs in the market.
- Jocelyne Cloutier, President of Thermo 2000.