Our History

History

1908: Charles Geisen founds Les Usines Alsaciennes d’Émulsions (Alsatian Emulsion Factory) in Strasbourg, France, specializing in the production of roofing/waterproofing liquids and pastes made from natural bitumen.

1909: Mr. Geisen discovers a material that is impermeable, flexible, and easy to install: jute fabric dipped in hot bitumen. The finished membrane resembled a wooly mammoth’s skin, and the first iconic roofing/waterproofing membrane, branded as Mammouth, was born.

1914: The company expands into Switzerland.

1933: Pierre Geisen, the founder’s son, joined his father at the company.

1941: The company builds a factory in Avignon, France during World War II and establishes SOPREMA, SOciété des Produits et Revêtements d’Étanchéité MAmmouth (Mammoth Roofing/Waterproofing Products and Coatings Company).

1975: The R&D team in Strasbourg develops the first line of SOPREMA SBS-modified elastomeric bitumen roofing products called SOPRALENE®.

1978: SOPREMA opens their first sales office in North America, located in Québec City, Quebec.

1984: The first SOPREMA plant in North America opens. Located in Drummondville, Quebec, it manufactures waterproofing membranes.

1985: SOPREMA Roofing & Waterproofing, Inc. is incorporated in the U.S. state of Georgia.

1987: SOPREMA introduces a new line of eco-friendly, green roof solutions. SOPRANATURE® vegetated systems that improve air quality and living spaces, provide controlled rainwater run-off, and improve the thermal and acoustic insulation of buildings.

1992: Pierre Geisen steps down and his grandson, Pierre-Étienne Bindschedler, assumes the role of President of SOPREMA.

1993: SOPREMA opens its U.S. headquarters in Wadsworth, Ohio. Opened on the same site at the same time was the first manufacturing plant in the United States, the sixth total factory for the global company. It manufactures high-performance SBS-modified bitumen roofing membranes.

1995: SOPREMA acquires a new business of high-performance liquid applied roofing and waterproofing products, ALSAN ®, and develops its workhorse liquid applied flashing and multi-use material, ALSAN FLASHING ®, a quick setting single-component bitumen extended polyurethane. From penetration sealing and flashing, to maintenance applications and more, ALSAN provides seamless, labor-saving protection

1996: SOPREMA continues to invest in innovation outside of Europe with the opening of its R&D Center in Drummondville, Quebec

1999: A second Canadian roofing plant is opened in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

2007: SOPREMA opens its second bitumen roofing plant in the United States in Gulfport, Mississippi.

2009: SOPREMA introduces the MACADEN® automated heat welding equipment, allowing installers to quickly and precisely apply SOPREMA modified bitumen membranes. MACADEN greatly reduces labor, LP gas consumption, and safety concerns.

2014: SOPREMA introduces SENTINEL®, a full line of high-performance thermoplastic PVC roof membranes and accessories, used in roofing and waterproofing applications, into the U.S. market.

2015: Opening its 1st certified LEED® silver factory located in Drummondville, Quebec, SOPREMA’s sustainable polyisocyanurate insulation facility further demonstrates our mission to reduce our carbon footprint.

2016: SOPREMA acquires Chem Link®. Located in Schoolcraft, Michigan, the Chem Link brand is synonymous with ultra-low VOC sealants, adhesives, and waterproofing providing for the highest performance with lowest impact on health, safety, and environment.

2018: SOPREMA opens its first U.S. PMMA resin manufacturing plant in Wadsworth, Ohio. ALSAN® RS, produced domestically and having earned an international reputation for quality and high-performance applications ranging from liquid applied flashing, roof membranes, pedestrian and vehicular deck protection, decorative surfaces, and more.

2018: Derbigum® (Performance Roof Systems) in Kansas City, Missouri, is acquired by SOPREMA. Performance Roof Systems’ reputation is that of the United States’ quality producer of APP-modified bitumen and roofing adhesives, mastics, and primers.

2019: SOPREMA introduces ECO3 roofing membranes surfaced with smog-reducing granules by 3M™. 500ft2 of ECO3 membrane has an equivalent positive environmental impact of planting 3 trees.

2022: In step with SOPREMA’s strategy to be more basic in maintenance and restoration materials, Tropical Roofing Products, a leading manufacturer of high-quality roof coatings, mastics, and cements, is acquired. With manufacturing in Florida, California, and Michigan, SOPREMA’s U.S. footprint is expanded.

2022: FURBISH®, located in Baltimore, Maryland, a sustainable development company primarily focused on high-performance green roofs, green walls, and water conservation, becomes a part of the SOPREMA family.

2024: The SOPREMA Select line is launched; a comprehensive line of professional-grade building materials that provide the quality and performance required by distributors, contractors, and installers for use in cost-conscious applications.

2024:  SOPREMA USA opens our new HQ facility in Wadsworth, Ohio. This facility incorporates a multitude of SOPREMA sustainable building protection solutions. Integrating natural lighting, open collaborative and social workspaces, a fitness center, and countless amenities, we invite you to explore and learn more about SOPREMA by scanning the numerous QR codes located around the facility.