In 1979, he proceeded to build a seed cleaning facility in order to sell seeds directly to growers.

In 1980, with his son André and wife Marie-Claire Bourgeois, he established Semences Prograin Inc., a company specializing in the production, conditioning and sale of seeds.

1983 marks a turning point in the history of Prograin. Passionate about soybeans, Clément Létourneau decides to focus the company’s efforts on their cultivation, roasting and micronising (a first in America).

Aware of the increasing cultivation and popularity of soybeans in Quebec, Semences Prograin recruited two dynamic key managers whose talents were to prove invaluable. Alain Létourneau, nephew of the president, had just finished his marketing studies when he joined the management team and applied his knowledge to the research and cultivation of soybeans.

In 1987, Semences Prograin started to export soybeans to Europe and Japan, some of which were used specifically to make tofu. This is when Patrick-Marc Ham became part of the Prograin family. It is largely thanks to him that this foray into foreign markets was so quick and so successful.

With the help of agronomists and researchers, and propelled by its own initiatives, the Prograin team progressed rapidly, showing real leadership in the field of development and cultivation of soybeans in Quebec.

Today, André and Alain Létourneau are the owners of the company.