More than a manufacturer: a partner committed to your success

When you choose Contessa, you’re benefiting from more than 35 years of cabinetry design and manufacturing expertise for large-scale residential construction projects.

Give your projects the prestigious edge they deserve

More than a manufacturer: a partner <em>committed to your success</em>

1995

the industry leader for cabinet making in Quebec since 1995

300

a portfolio of more than 300 projects completed

60

a family of more than 60 employees

45K

a facility that spans 45,000 sqft.

4000

more than 4,000 kitchens produced, delivered, and installed every year

Everything we do, we do as a team

Eberhard Von Huene

Eberhard Von Huene

President

Eberhard Von Huene

President

Driven by a lifelong desire to create, Eberhard Von Huene left Germany, his home country, to settle in Montreal in 1965. A young Eberhard launched his entrepreneurial career by founding his first company, OSC Partitions Ltd., in 1971. Thanks to his technical skills and vision, the company quickly became the largest architectural wall manufacturer in Canada.

By the end of 1984, Eberhard had sold his majority stake to Knoll International and became the President of Knoll Canada. In May 1987, he left Knoll to start Eberhard von Huene & Associates Inc., an investment firm specializing in product design and management consulting. In 1995, EVH & Associates acquired the fledgling Contessa Inc.’s assets with the goal of turning the manufacturer into one of the most successful cabinet makers in Quebec.

Annie Lajeunesse

Annie Lajeunesse

Vice-President

Annie Lajeunesse

Vice-President

Boasting more than 10 years of manufacturing experience in the kitchen cabinet industry, Annie Lajeunesse joined Eberhard as a shareholder and Vice-President of Contessa in 1995, right as the company was being acquired.

In addition to her managerial responsibilities, Annie is in charge of continuously optimizing the production chain and managing the technical team. She also oversees our technical cutting operations and strategic buying initiatives. Thanks to her thoroughness and consistency, we are perfectly positioned to continuously improve our processes and maintain Contessa’s competitive edge in the market.

Dennis de Braga

Dennis de Braga

Vice-President and Corporate Strategist, EVH & Associates

Dennis de Braga

Vice-President and Corporate Strategist, EVH & Associates

After serving as a VP and SVP for various Banks and Asset Based Lenders, Dennis de Braga joined his longtime friend Eberhard Von Huene.

His extensive experience made him the ideal partner to support the management team through Contessa’s strategic and financial development. Dennis always ensures that the company’s strategy is aligned with Eberhard’s specific objectives, which he communicates to his entire team, guaranteeing Contessa’s financial stability and optimizing its performance.

Josée Gagnon

Josée Gagnon

Chief Financial Officer,
EVH & Associates

Josée Gagnon

Chief Financial Officer,
EVH & Associates

Josée Gagnon kicked off her career by launching her own accounting business. This valuable experience has since allowed her to provide tailored accounting training and coaching to many businesses. Josée is incredibly proud of the way she has helped these companies achieve their growth objectives.

Josée joined EVH & Associates in 1997 as a controller before being promoted to CFO of EVH Group of companies in 2010. In this role, she is responsible for all duties related to corporate finance, compliance, and treasury. Her involvement and expertise at all levels has been critical to Contessa’s growth and success over the years.

Mylène Gagnon

Mylène Gagnon

Director of Sales

Mylène Gagnon

Director of Sales

Following the completion of her studies, Mylène Gagnon started working as an interior designer for real estate developers in 2010. In 2016, she joined Contessa as a project manager. Mylène was involved in a number of construction projects before getting promoted to Director of Sales in 2021.

Mylène actively contributes to Contessa’s growth and success by developing the brand and overseeing the sales team. Mylène also manages the product planning process to ensure costs are optimized and Contessa’s pricing remains competitive. Her passion for design, dynamic nature, and interpersonal skills are key in uniting the operational and strategic arms of the business.

Stefan Leterme

Stefan Leterme

Plant Manager

Stefan Leterme

Plant Manager

Stefan Leterme began his career as a cabinetmaker in 2014 before joining the Contessa family in the same role in 2016. His dedication, leadership, and ability to find innovative solutions to improve company processes have helped him climb the ranks to his current position of Plant Manager.

Stefan is responsible for planning and organizing production, as well as managing plant employees, quality control, equipment maintenance, and facility maintenance to ensure productivity targets are achieved.

Our story

Our story

In 1995 EVH acquired the assets of Contessa founded in 1987, and the company quickly settled into its specialization as a custom cabinet designer and manufacturer for large-scale projects. In 1995, under the leadership of its president Eberhard von Huene, the investing firm EVH & Associates invested over 3 millions dollars to modernize the plant and fuel its growth while promoting local craftsmanship.

EVH & Associates brings together a diverse team of industry experts who are eager to support innovative companies and passionate entrepreneurs in the product design and development sector.

These investments have allowed Contessa to modernize its entire production line and truly set itself apart from the competition. We chose to leverage global leader HOMAG’s German quality to upgrade our entire equipment line significantly increasing our productivity and our ability to meet customers’ needs. With our expertise and cutting-edge technology combined, Contessa has become one of the most successful cabinet manufacturers in Quebec.

Contessa’s philosophy

1

Creativity

Our product design blends creativity and an understanding of everyday lifestyle to best meet your needs. We break down the latest trends to design practical cabinets that will stand the test of time!

2

Quality

From our offices to our factory, our team is committed to delivering quality work. Our passion is reflected just as much in our finished products as it is in the tailored support we offer to our clients.

3

Local manufacturing

We are very proud to stand by our partners and promote local craftsmanship! We guarantee that all of our operations and products are produced at our factory here in Quebec or sourced in Western Europe when local sources do not meet our required specifications.

4

Pricing policy

We continuously invest in our production processes to ensure our technology remains on the cutting edge, streamlining our costs and offering you a wide selection of products at highly competitive prices.

5

Delivery timelines

By organizing and internalizing our entire production chain, we are able to manage our inventory with exceptional precision to anticipate orders and quickly respond to client timeline requests.

6

Social and environmental responsibility

We work tirelessly to make our production cycle more sustainable, helping build an industry that respects and cares about its social and environmental impact.

28 years of experience
at your service

Our team designs and creates cabinets that meet the most stringent quality standards. Your dedicated project manager will ensure you receive tailored advice so you end up with a finished product that brings your vision to life.

The family spirit

Above all, working for Contessa means joining a business that feels like family. Solidarity, kindness, listening, ethics, and dedication are the pillars that define our corporate culture. Our team members rally around these shared values, as well as their passion for design and production. We also share a desire to learn, evolve, and highlight local talent.

We work hard to maintain a safe and healthy work environment, transparent and effective communication, and a culture of respect and inclusion. Our managers take particular care to strike a balance between everyone’s personal and professional lives.

We welcome any and all ideas that challenge our processes and aim to improve how we do things! The company’s long-term success is everyone’s business: it’s a goal that unites and motivates us every day. Despite its exponential growth, everyone is involved in shaping Contessa’s future while respecting the values upon which the business is built.

We are always looking for new teammates who want to build a career with us. So - what are you waiting for?

Send us your CV!

The family spirit