DE LA FONTAINE
DE LA FONTAINE Industries is a third-generation family-owned manufacturer of steel doors and frames founded in 1968 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Operating nine manufacturing facilities across North America, it serves commercial, institutional, healthcare, and government construction with fire-rated and specialty door systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersConcord, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DE LA FONTAINE does
DE LA FONTAINE Industries is a third-generation, family-owned manufacturer of steel doors and steel frames for commercial, institutional, and specialty construction, founded in 1968 in Sherbrooke, Quebec by Gérald de La Fontaine. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities across North America (Sherbrooke QC, Cottage Grove MN, Sacramento CA, Woburn MA, Hyattsville MD, Grand Prairie TX, Indianapolis IN, Concord NC, Orlando FL, and Lebanon TN) and employs approximately 400 people across the network. Its product portfolio is organized around two core lines — steel doors and steel frames — with seven door series (honeycomb, polystyrene, polyurethane, steel-stiffened, temperature-rise, acoustical, and lead-lined cores) and six standard frame series (standard, drywall, pre-drywall, less-return, double-egress, and split frames), supplemented by specialty products including stainless steel assemblies for healthcare, detention products for correctional facilities, windstorm/hurricane-rated assemblies for HVHZ zones, and thermal break frames for energy-efficient envelopes.
Technically, products are made-to-order using galvannealed and stainless steel in various gauges, with proprietary thermal break frames incorporating PVC seals, sanitary welding on Type 304/316 stainless products for clean-room and hospital applications, and acoustic assemblies achieving STC ratings up to 48. Fire-rated assemblies carry ratings up to three hours under UL 10C, NFPA 80/252/257, and BS-476-22, validated through Intertek/Warnock Hersey third-party testing, and the company maintains its own in-house testing facility for product development. Manufacturing processes span conventional sheet-metal working supported by punching machines, laser cutting, automated painting lines, and an active manufacturing automation/digital equipment modernization project (CAD 11.5M+, partly funded by CAD 4M of Canadian federal and Quebec provincial support announced in January 2023).
The business model is B2B project-based hardware sales with made-to-order products manufactured to customer specifications and priced via custom quotation through a network of manufacturer representatives covering the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales on commercial construction, institutional, healthcare, detention, and coastal construction projects, supplemented by AIA-accredited professional training seminars on fire-rated hollow metal products. Lead times are tiered (1-day turbo, 3-5 day express, 7-10 day fastlane, 3-week standard) supported by the regional manufacturing footprint, and freight pricing is fixed per product type independent of order value. Customers include high-profile institutional buyers such as the Pentagon, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and Colorado State University Stadium, alongside a broad base of commercial construction, healthcare, government/military, and educational facility end users. The firm maintains third-party accreditations including SDI Certified (2024), HMMA standards, DHI, CSI, NAAMM, and CTPAT, and has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies consecutively from 2021 through 2026.
DE LA FONTAINE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DE LA FONTAINE
- Legal name
- DE LA FONTAINE Industries
- Website
- https://delafontaine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- DE LA FONTAINE Industries is a third-generation family-owned manufacturer of steel doors and frames founded in 1968 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Operating nine manufacturing facilities across North America, it serves commercial, institutional, healthcare, and government construction with fire-rated and specialty door systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DE LA FONTAINE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Steel Doors and Frames
- NAICS
- Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232)
- SIC
- Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442), Sheet Metal Work (3444)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial & Industrial Doors (Sectional, High-Speed, Fire, Security) (IMADAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Exterior Doors (IMADAIAA), Interior Doors (IMADAIAB), Access Panels, Hatches & Specialty Openings (IMADAIAJ)
Keywords
Where DE LA FONTAINE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Concord
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
DE LA FONTAINE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Steel Door and Frame Manufacturing: Custom and standard steel doors and frames sold as finished products. Products are made to order according to customer specifications. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with various customization options including fire ratings, materials (galvannealed/stainless steel), cores, finishes, and specialty features. Fixed freight policy per product type regardless of order value.
- AIA-Accredited Training Seminars: The company offers three one-hour AIA-accredited seminars on fire-rated hollow metal frames, fire-rated hollow metal doors, and codes/standards related to hollow metal doors and frames.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing for standard and specialty steel doors/frames |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
DE LA FONTAINE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DE LA FONTAINE Industries designs and manufactures made-to-order steel doors and steel frames for commercial, institutional, and industrial construction. The product line spans seven door core series (honeycomb, polystyrene, polyurethane, steel stiffened, temperature rise, acoustical, lead line), three decorative door models (recessed panel, pre-embossed, custom embossed), six standard frame profiles, and four specialty product families (stainless steel, detention, windstorm/hurricane-rated, and thermal break). Products are built to specifications across galvannealed and stainless steel with various fire, acoustic, and impact ratings.
Product overview
DE LA FONTAINE Industries is a third-generation family business (founded 1968, Sherbrooke) designing and manufacturing steel doors and steel frames for commercial and institutional applications. The product portfolio centers on two core product lines: steel doors and steel frames. Steel doors are offered in seven core series (HC/Honeycomb, PS/Polystyrene, PU/Polyurethane, ST/Steel Stiffened, TR/Temperature Rise, STC/Acoustical, LL/Lead Line) plus three door model variants (RPD/Recessed Panel, EMB/Pre-embossed, CED/Custom Embossed). Steel frames are offered in six standard series (SR/Standard, DW/Drywall, DR/Pre-Drywall, LR/Less Return, DE/Double Egress, SF/Split Frame) plus Custom Frame Elevations. Specialty products extend the portfolio to Stainless Steel, Detention, Windstorm/Hurricane, and Thermal Break configurations for specialized institutional needs. The company operates nine manufacturing facilities across North America with approximately 400 employees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HC – Honeycomb Core Steel Doors Steel doors with a 1" hexagonal cell Kraft paper honeycomb core providing excellent crushing strength. Available in 1 3/4" thickness with lock seam and filled (PAF) or continuously welded seamless edge (CW) construction. Targeted at commercial construction buyers requiring standard interior door assemblies.
- PS – Polystyrene Core Steel Doors Steel doors with expanded polystyrene core for interior and exterior use, in standard 1 3/4" thickness (1 3/8" to 2 1/4" range available), offering R2.50 thermal performance and up to 6,000,000 cycle durability. For commercial construction buyers needing thermally improved steel doors.
- PU – Polyurethane Core Steel Doors Exterior steel doors with polyisocyanurate (polyurethane) core providing superior thermal performance (R3.13 with thermal break frame). Available in 1 3/4" thickness with various gauge and seam options. For commercial exterior door applications requiring higher insulation values.
- ST – Steel Stiffened Core Steel Doors High-durability steel doors with bonded 18-gauge steel stiffeners filled with polystyrene, polyurethane, or mineral wool. Suitable for interior and exterior use with enhanced security features. For commercial buyers needing heavy-duty, abuse-resistant door assemblies.
- TR – Temperature Rise Core Steel Doors
Quantifiable outcome
- 89.7% recycled content in galvannealed steel (50.6% post-consumer, 33.3% post-industrial, 5.8% home scrap)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use DE LA FONTAINE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DE LA FONTAINE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DE LA FONTAINE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Intertek Testing Services (ITS/Warnock Hersey)coreThird-party testing and certification organization for fire-rated products. DE LA FONTAINE performs final testing at ITS/Warnock Hersey to receive approval and obtain listing, labeling, and follow-up services for fire-rated products.
- Door and Hardware Institute (DHI)minorIndustry association for door and hardware professionals. DE LA FONTAINE has consultants accredited through DHI including Door Hardware Technicians (DHTs), Architectural Hardware Consultants (AHCs), and Certified Door Consultants (CDCs).
- Steel Door Institute (SDI)minorIndustry association setting standards for steel doors and frames. DE LA FONTAINE uses SDI standards as recognized standards for product specifications.
- Hollow Metal Manufacturers Association (HMMA)minorIndustry association within NAAMM setting standards for hollow metal doors and frames. DE LA FONTAINE uses HMMA standards for product specifications.
- Construction Specification Institute (CSI)minorProfessional organization for construction specification professionals. DE LA FONTAINE has consultants accredited with CSI for product specifications and project support.
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)minorProfessional organization for architects. DE LA FONTAINE is an AIA Provider offering three accredited one-hour seminars on fire-rated hollow metal frames, doors, and related codes/standards for HSW learning units.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves23 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DE LA FONTAINE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ASSA ABLOY: Global access solutions conglomerate owning hollow metal door brands Ceco Door and Curries, directly competing with DE LA FONTAINE on fire-rated and commercial steel door/frame contracts at a significantly larger scale.
- Allegion: Public safety and access specialist whose Steelcraft and Republic Doors brands are direct competitors in commercial hollow metal doors and frames, serving the same architect and contractor customer base with broader hardware portfolios.
Direct peers
- Steelcraft (Allegion brand): Allegion's hollow metal door and frame brand, a direct competitor to DE LA FONTAINE with comparable fire-rated and specialty commercial door offerings distributed through a national rep network.
- Republic Doors and Frames: Steel door and frame manufacturer owned by Allegion that competes head-to-head with DE LA FONTAINE on hollow metal commercial products, fire ratings, and architectural specifications.
- Mesker Door: North American hollow metal door and frame manufacturer with comparable fire-rated and specialty commercial offerings, competing for architect and distributor relationships in similar non-residential segments.
- Ceco Door (ASSA ABLOY): ASSA ABLOY's hollow metal door brand and one of DE LA FONTAINE's closest direct competitors in commercial and institutional steel door/frame specifications across North America.
- Curries (ASSA ABLOY): Long-established hollow metal door and frame manufacturer under ASSA ABLOY, competing directly with DE LA FONTAINE in commercial construction with comparable fire-rated and custom architectural offerings.
- Daybar Industries: Canadian steel door and frame manufacturer with overlapping product line and direct competition with DE LA FONTAINE's Sherbrooke origin in the Canadian commercial construction market.
Others
- Steel Door Institute: Industry association that sets the standards DE LA FONTAINE's products comply with under its SDI Certified designation; not a competitor but an ecosystem participant that shapes specification and competitive dynamics across the category.
Emerging players
- Hollow Metal Xpress: Smaller US hollow metal door and frame manufacturer focused on quick-ship distribution, competing with DE LA FONTAINE's tiered-lead-time service proposition on standard commercial orders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DE LA FONTAINE social profiles
Digital presenceDE LA FONTAINE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DE LA FONTAINE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
DE LA FONTAINE subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
DE LA FONTAINE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DE LA FONTAINE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DE LA FONTAINE
What does DE LA FONTAINE do?
DE LA FONTAINE Industries designs and manufactures made-to-order steel doors and steel frames for commercial, institutional, and industrial construction. The product line spans seven door core series (honeycomb, polystyrene, polyurethane, steel stiffened, temperature rise, acoustical, lead line), three decorative door models (recessed panel, pre-embossed, custom embossed), six standard frame profiles, and four specialty product families (stainless steel, detention, windstorm/hurricane-rated, and thermal break). Products are built to specifications across galvannealed and stainless steel with various fire, acoustic, and impact ratings.
Is DE LA FONTAINE a public or private company?
DE LA FONTAINE is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was DE LA FONTAINE founded?
DE LA FONTAINE was founded in 1968. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is DE LA FONTAINE based?
DE LA FONTAINE is headquartered in Concord, United States, in the North America region.
How does DE LA FONTAINE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Steel Door and Frame Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are AIA-Accredited Training Seminars.
Who are DE LA FONTAINE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ASSA ABLOY and Allegion. Direct peers are Steelcraft (Allegion brand), Republic Doors and Frames, Mesker Door, Ceco Door (ASSA ABLOY), Curries (ASSA ABLOY) and Daybar Industries. Steel Door Institute is listed as an others. Hollow Metal Xpress is listed as an emerging player.
Does DE LA FONTAINE have an API?
No public API is recorded for DE LA FONTAINE.
What industry is DE LA FONTAINE in?
DE LA FONTAINE's product category is Commercial Steel Doors and Frames. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAF, Commercial & Industrial Doors (Sectional, High-Speed, Fire, Security), with a secondary code of IMADAIAA, Exterior Doors. Its NAICS code is 332321 and its SIC code is 3442.