14 July 2026 Testimonials

Robotic Welding as a Solution to the Welder Shortage

When skilled welders are hard to find, repetitive welding can quickly become a production constraint. For Industries Desjardins, the answer was not to replace its welders, but to give them better work to do. By robotizing repetitive welds, the company stabilized its production pace, improved weld quality, and allowed its team to focus on higher-value tasks.

A History of Innovation in Industrial Manufacturing

Industries Desjardins is a Quebec-based manufacturer of petroleum storage tanks with more than 150 years of history. Originally founded as an agricultural machinery manufacturer, the company now produces tanks with capacities of up to 150,000 L and is recognized as an important player in petroleum equipment manufacturing in Eastern Canada.

Built on quality, reliability, innovation, and continuous improvement, Industries Desjardins continues to grow by combining long-standing industrial expertise with modern production methods.

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Repetitive Welding: A Production Bottleneck

Like many manufacturers, Industries Desjardins was facing a labour shortage challenge.

“Like any business, we faced a labour shortage challenge. That’s why we looked into the option of welding robots.” Says Eric Beaulieu, sales manager

For the company, welders’ expertise remains at the center of the process. The goal was to move standard products and repetitive welds from the manual line to automation, making the process more stable, more predictable, and better prepared to support growth.

Industries Desjardins wanted t0 automate repetitive tasks while keeping its welders focused on higher-value work.

BLOK 300 robotic welding on a petroleum tank.

Using Welding Robots to Stabilize Production

Industries Desjardins grouped its standard products in an Industry 4.0 plant equipped with various robotic systems for cutting, handling, and welding.

The company evaluated several robot suppliers and several robot brands before turning to AGT Robotics. Welding expertise, in-house welding technologists, and the support provided by AGT during integration were important factors in the decision.

AGT Robotics supported Industries Desjardins in the integration of a BLOK-300 automated robotic welding system equipped with rails, rotators, and LTS sensing technology. The system helped the team robotize larger repetitive welds, improve joint tracking, and bring more consistency to standard tank production.

Stable Production Pace with Robotic Welding

The BLOK 300 allowed Industries Desjardins to make repetitive welds more consistent and better stabilize the production pace.

“What we like about welding robots is that they set the production pace, rather than a manual welder.” explains Eric Beaulieu.

With a repetitive sequence, the company gains predictability, production costs become more stable, and production depends less on the variations that come with repetitive manual operations.

Industries Desjardins also observed an improvement in the quality of the welds on its tanks. For a certified manufacturer producing petroleum equipment, this consistency is directly connected to the reliability of the final product.

A Positive Impact for Welders

At Industries Desjardins, robotics changed the way the team works. It allowed welders to focus more on assembly, preparation, and production follow-up while the robot performs the repetitive welds.

“I am a welder by trade, and right now, I let the robot weld in my place. For me, the main goal is to do the assembly and let the robot do the rest.” Michaël Roy-Champoux, robot operator.

This approach transforms the welder’s role. The work becomes less repetitive, more diversified, and more focused on coordinating the process.

While the robot works, the operator can prepare the next parts, take care of the documentation, and organize the following steps. This allows the team to apply its experience where it has the most value.

AGT Robotics Support for Welding Robot Integration

Industries Desjardins highlights the quality of the support provided by AGT Robotics, both during the integration and for the design and manufacturing of the jigs.

The company also mentions that it quickly became autonomous in operating its robots, which confirms that the solution integrates well into its internal operations.

“I would recommend AGT Robotics, yes, for their support, but also for their technology, which is more advanced than other companies for robotic welding.” Eric Beaulieu

Conclusion

By robotizing its repetitive welds, Industries Desjardins strengthened the stability of its production, improved the quality of its welds, and gave its welders a more diversified role in the shop.

For a company with more than 150 years of history, this transition is a natural continuation of its path: growing, innovating, and continuing to build on the know-how of its team.

Watch the Full Testimonial

See how Industries Desjardins uses robotic welding to stabilize its production pace, improve weld quality, and support the work of its team.

If weld-intensive parts are blocking your flow, or the welders you need are hard to find, it may be worth seeing what changes when that bottleneck is gone.

Learn how robotic welding can raise your production ceiling. Speak with an AGT expert today