SpaceKap was founded in 1972 by Robert Thibault. The company from Beloeil has been part of the Quebec landscape for over 50 years and is considered today the largest maker of fiberglass truck caps in North America. A true visionary, Robert Thibault took advantage of the growing recreational vehicle market to design the first models of fiberglass truck caps in the early 1970s. “Remember, at the time, the caps were made of aluminum. I wanted to develop a much more aesthetic product. And since I had some experience in boat construction, I decided to use the same ingredients,” he said.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceKap sold 72 caps in its first year, 650 in 1973, and 2,500 in 1974.
- Automotive designer Paul Deutschman, known for work on Porsche, Corvette, and T-Rex, partnered with founder Robert Thibault in the late 1980s to design SpaceKap’s units.
- Since Frédéric Albert and Frédéric Chabanne took over in the early 2010s, SpaceKap has grown from 30 to 130 employees and quintupled its revenue.
How fast did SpaceKap grow in its first few years?
In its first year of existence, SpaceKap sold 72 caps. In 1973, it sold 650. The following year, 2,500. The progression never stopped.
Why did an automotive designer known for Porsche and Corvette work on a truck cap company?
In the late 1980s, Robert Thibault formed an alliance with automotive industrial designer Paul Deutschman. This Montreal native became one of the most respected automotive designers in North America, with work that has appeared on dozens of automotive magazine covers. Deutschman led the design of a large number of projects, including for Porsche and on Corvette and T-Rex models.
More recently, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire in England in recognition of his exceptional contribution to automotive design.
“I knew Paul. He agreed to collaborate with us and design, on paper, new units for SpaceKap. We owe him the SpaceKap. It was a very good alliance,” said Robert Thibault. The renowned designer didn’t hesitate to partner with SpaceKap. “We met at the Montreal Auto Show. A few months later, I found myself in the Fibrobec factory drawing prototypes on napkins and plywood sheets. I was excited by the challenge of participating in something other than exotic cars,” added Paul Deutschman.
How did SpaceKap change hands in the 2010s?
In the early 2010s, Thibault was looking for successors to propel his company to new heights. He met Frédéric Albert and Frédéric Chabanne, two young entrepreneurs looking to acquire a business. They became shareholders of SpaceKap. The founder, then 66 years old, remained in office for two years to pass the torch before taking a well-deserved retirement. “I immediately liked their attitude, their self-confidence, and their vision. Today, I am proud of what my baby has become. They have taken SpaceKap to another level and developed the American market.”
Chabanne, Robert Thibault, and Frederic Albert in 2011
SpaceKap is now visible throughout North America thanks to a network of authorized distributors, serving major American companies such as Enterprise, Lockheed Martin, FedEx Ground, and RiteAid, and reaching all 50 states.
Since this acquisition, SpaceKap has grown from 30 to 130 employees and quintupled its turnover. Enough to make its founder proud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed SpaceKap’s original units?
Automotive designer Paul Deutschman, known for work on Porsche, Corvette, and T-Rex models, partnered with founder Robert Thibault in the late 1980s to design SpaceKap’s units.
How much did SpaceKap grow after Frédéric Albert and Frédéric Chabanne took over?
Since taking over in the early 2010s, they’ve grown the company from 30 to 130 employees and quintupled its revenue.
How many caps did SpaceKap sell in its early years?
SpaceKap sold 72 caps in its first year, 650 in 1973, and 2,500 the year after that.
