The origins of the Pomerantz family
The paternal grandparents of entrepreneur Terry Pomerantz were originally from Central Europe. His grandmother was born in Romania and his grandfather, in Austria. Arriving in Montreal at the beginning of the 20th century, they settled in the Jewish neighbourhood of St. Lawrence Street.
Well-rooted in their host country, so peaceful, they were happy to work hard to provide for their family of 9 children. In 1930, Terry Pomerantz’s father, Saül, was born.
Saül Pomerantz and Alice Brûlé
At the young age of 17, Saül Pomerantz wanted to conquer new frontiers. He lied about his age and enlisted in the merchant navy.
Originating from the Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon area, Alice Brûlé’s family had settled itself in Montreal. Alice worked at Imperial Tobacco, in Saint-Henri.
It was during an evening at a dancing club, with one of those big bands that regularly performed in the dance halls of the time, that Saül and Alice met. From that point forward, they will never part! Terry was born of their marriage.
The Adventurer becomes Entrepreneur
Saül Pomerantz is ambitious. He will not settle for just providing for his family, nor simply working for an employer. Born in Quebec, a sailor who is not afraid of bad weather, he quickly seizes the opportunities that arise.
He starts by buying a first taxi. He then gets a small fleet of 3 cars and a garage for their maintenance. During a run, a client talks to him about a new manufacturing process that uses recycled polyurethane foam scraps to produce a new type of bonded foam of excellent quality.
DomFoam
Saül sells his 3 taxis and his garage. In 1963, in the middle of the Quiet Revolution, he creates the Dominion Foam Corp. His small business, nested in a tiny premise near Chabanel Street, will become DomFoam, a major player in the Canadian flexible foam industry.
Today, we find polyurethane products from DomFoam International in the furnishing, vehicle transport, hotel and health care equipment industries.
Terry’s Career
At 13 years old, during his school vacation, Terry started to work for his father’s company. His fist job consists in loading rolls of carpet padding on delivery trucks and filling bags and bags of shredded polyurethane foam, the “popcorn” as they say in the field.
At 21 years old, Terry became a sales representative at DomFoam. Progressively, he worked his way up to eventually hold an important position in the company’s management. This was just the beginning!
Saül Pomerantz adds Real Estate to Flexible Foam
In 1980, Saül Pomerantz diversifies his family business activities by adding S.P. Holdings Canada, a company specializing in real-estate development and management! Terry follows his father in his new business ventures.
Family Duty as a Passion
For Terry, working with a father that taught him everything, a father that he respects and loves, means a lot more than just a career. It’s a duty! And it is with a passion for success that Terry will ensure the sustainability of the businesses his father founded. Terry will devote his entire professional life to that effect with an enthusiasm and determination that will never diminish!
Saül leaves management to Terry
Saül vastly exceeded his objectives. Not only did the family never lack for anything, but he also was instrumental in the urban modernisation of the Greater Montreal, the creation of hundreds of jobs and the contribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits.
When the time comes to step down, Saül hands over the management of his companies to Terry.
Entrepreneur and prominent figure in Montreal's real estate and manufacturing sectors, Terry Pomerantz approaches every aspect of life with heart and character. At the helm of Domfoam and T.R.A.M.S Property Management, he carries on his late father's legacy while dedicating his philanthropic commitment to the Pomerantz Foundation, which has been actively supporting children's causes since 1991.