Name: Quadra
Location: Canada
Products Distributing:
Kudos Blends’ strong collaborative mindset makes them a great partner to work with. They provide high-quality, on-time service, offering forward-thinking solutions
Trish Di Stefano – Buyer
for our bakery customers.
Meet Quadra
Established as a trusted distribution partner since 2011, Quadra shares aligned visions with Kudos Blends in advancing the bakery industry. As a women-led business like ourselves, Quadra exemplifies the power of women in the food industry fostering creativity, and driving positive change. Just as Kudos Blends strives for excellence in baking innovation, Quadra is committed to delivering exceptional service and quality solutions to meet industry needs.
To find out more about Quadra, we interviewed Trish Di Stefano, Buyer to discuss their journey and our partnership.
Can you tell us a bit about the history of your company? How did you get started in this industry?
1976 – Quadra is Founded – Quadra was founded by Tony and Betty Infilise and Lynn and Harlene Bartlett. With small rental offices and public warehouse storage in Montreal and Toronto they secure exclusive Canadian distribution rights with Lord Corporation.
1985 – CACD – The Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors (CACD) is founded, with Quadra as one of the initial founding members. Tony Infilise later becomes president of the CACD, promoting Responsible Distribution within the Chemical Industry.
1988 – First Facility in Vaudreuil-Dorion (Quebec), consisting of 25,000 sq ft warehouse and a large office space.
1991 – New Facility in Burlington, Ontario, consisting of 37,000 sq ft warehouse and a large office space.
1993 – Acquisition in Western Canada
Find out more about Quadra’s history here: https://quadragroup.com/en-ca/our-history/
What sets your business apart from other distributors in your area?
From recruiting top talent to fostering a supportive employment environment to cultivating strong relationships with our stakeholders, our focus is on the well-being, growth, and fulfilment of our team, our customers and our suppliers. Driven by our people, our values, and the power of connection, we’re a different kind of company.
With exclusive partnerships with premier manufacturers and a coveted status as the preferred supplier for some of North America’s most illustrious companies, Quadra is not just another distributor—it’s a different kind of company. Our infrastructure ensures seamless distribution, reaching from bustling urban centers to the most remote corners of the country.
How do you ensure the quality of products and services you provide to your customers?
At Quadra, safety stands as our top core value. Our people are trained to follow established protocols to guarantee the highest level of safety in every interaction. We also maintain rigorous quality standards throughout our processes, conducting regular evaluations and audits. By prioritizing safety and quality, we aim to instill confidence with our customers, assuring dependable and safe technical support services.
Can you share a unique story or an interesting fact about your company that many people might not know?
In a monumental stride towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, Quadra is proud to announce our certification as a Women-Owned Business by WEConnect International.
Obtaining this certification not only highlights our unwavering commitment to equality and empowerment but, also serves as a testament to our dedication to fostering diversity in the business landscape.
Our journey to this certification was no easy feat; it involved a meticulous evaluation of Quadra’s ownership, leadership, and business practices. Betty Infilise, Co-founder, and majority owner of Quadra’s US organization, reflects on the company’s ethos, stating, “Never putting a ceiling on female leadership has been part of Quadra’s DNA from its inception, long before the world was moving in that direction. Our company was founded with equality in mind and has been operating that way for over 45 years.”
“I echo Betty’s powerful statement. Being recognized as a Women-Owned Business is not just a badge of honor; it reflects our dedication to excellence and inclusivity,” explains Anne Marie Infilise, Quadra’s President and CEO. “As a Women-Owned and Women-Led company, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation, foster creativity, and create positive change within our industry. Many of our customers and suppliers are looking to partner with companies that prioritize diversity. This certification aligns so well with our Why statement around putting people first so that together, we can reimagine the possibilities, which is exactly what we are doing every day.”
How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your customers?
Within our organization or in our interactions with customers, suppliers, and partners; putting people first is at the core of how we do business. When you partner with Quadra, you’re not just getting a distributor; you’re gaining access to a team of dedicated professionals committed to addressing challenges and delivering success.
Experience the Quadra difference—a different kind of company where collaboration, innovation, and people are at the heart of everything we do.
What do your customers appreciate most about the products you distribute?
By understanding our customers’ unique challenges and goals, we can create tailor-made solutions, refining their processes, and enhancing their products. Our caring and proactive approach allows our customer experience enthusiasts to take on their challenges head-on.
Fostering cross-department collaboration, our specialists bring in-depth knowledge and a multi-faceted perspective to leverage our collective creativity contributing to more efficient and accurate answers and conclusions.
What do you enjoy most about working with our company and our products?
Kudos Blends is the world’s leading manufacturer of technically driven baking powders and leavening agents supplying the industrial bakery market around the world.
Kudos Blends has a passionate team of chemists and bakers who develop effective solutions, helping our customers make improvements to health and nutrition as well as overcome challenging formulations and processes.
Kudos Blends’ patented and patent-pending products are a testament to your creativity and originality. The scientific approach you take continues on a daily basis with new and exciting technology constantly being developed, bringing unexpected solutions.
