Laniel & Associés, Audioprothésistes. Although the company’s look—and vocation—have changed over the last few years, it continues to be overseen by the Laniel family. Ironically, this proud heritage dates back to 1931 when Mr. Albert Laniel became the owner of the Laniel & Son jewellery store. Mr. Laniel worked as a jeweller and watchmaker for several years before passing the torch to his son Laurent. Laurent—better known as Larry—was recognized for his profession, but also for his love of bowling and golf.
| Mr. Albert Laniel | Laurent Laniel | Claude Laniel | Éric Laniel |
In 1970, Laurent’s son Claude took over the jewellery business from his father. There, in the same building on du Centenaire Avenue, the legacy continued to be passed on from father to son. And, it is at this point that the business would change entirely. Two years prior to his acquisition of the business in 1968, Claude had taken an interest in hearing aids. So much so, in fact, that he had decided to take exams in audioprosthetics at Université de Montréal in August of 1972. He then went on to earn a degree in audioprosthetics from the Office des Professions and the Québec Ordre des Audioprothésistes in 1973. As the specialty of audioprosthetics grew exponentially in the early 1980s, Claude decided to offer hearing aid services at his jewellery store. By 1990, the hearing aid business had grown to such a point that Claude decided to close the jewellery business altogether.

In the spirit of continuing the family business, Claude’s son Éric would follow in his father’s footsteps, finishing his studies in audioprosthetics in 1994 and working alongside his father in their flourishing business.
On January 12, 2006, the business suffered a tremendous loss as the building that had housed the family business for several generations burned to the ground. Devastated, but determined to carry on, Éric and Claude decided to keep the business up and running in a temporary space on Victoria Street while waiting for their new offices to be completed. Before long, the pair relocated to their new location at 35 Grande-Ile Street in Valleyfield—formely the location of the Sinray furniture store. The grand opening of these new offices took place in September 2007.
2008 proved to be a memorable year as well, marking the business’ 40th anniversary. This was also the year that Laniel & Associés took home the award for Business of the Year (1 to 9 employees) during the Gala des gens d`affaires (businesspersons’ gala) held by the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Chamber of Commerce. What does this wonderful family business have in store for the next 40 years? We’ll have to wait and see!