How Odoo Transformed Supreme Fireplaces' Operations and Boosted Efficiency

Location/Region: Montreal, CAN
Industry: Fireplaces and wood stoves manufacturing
Apps implementedManufacturing, CRM, SalesPurchaseInventory, Accounting
Software Replaced: Dynacom, QuickBooks and Salesforce
Company size: 30 
Hosting type: Odoo Online


This story highlights how Odoo has helped Supreme Fireplaces, a family-owned business that manufactures high-efficiency fireplaces and wood stoves, stay competitive and grow without increasing its office staff. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the company has streamlined operations, enhanced visibility, and significantly improved efficiency in manufacturing and customer service.

Supreme Fireplaces was founded in 1982 by Emmanuel Markakis, a visionary engineer who, after earning his master's degree at McGill University, worked at Canadair, now Bombardier, a renowned Canadian aeronautics company. After purchasing a home, he was disappointed with its fireplace, sparking a passion for designing better alternatives.


What began as a small-scale operation (crafting one custom fireplace at a time) soon gained recognition for its innovation. For 10 years he grew his business under the Woodtherm name and, in 1992, the Supreme name was officially incorporated, growing into a premier manufacturer of high-efficiency, low-emission, EPA-approved fireplaces and wood stoves.

Now in its second generation, Supreme Fireplaces remains a family-run business. The founder’s three children have stepped into leadership roles, carrying forward the company’s legacy of fire innovation, quality craftsmanship, and environmental sustainability: Alexander Marcakis, a mechanical engineer, is President and head of engineering; Katherine Marcakis, also a mechanical engineer, serves as VP and team lead for support and marketing; and Anastasia Marcakis, a finance major, is Secretary/Treasurer and team lead for relationship management and retail partnerships.

All three siblings, along with Anastasia’s husband, Terry Tsarouhas, a finance major who serves as Finance and Operations Manager, play a key role in driving the company’s success while upholding its commitment to innovation in the world of wood-burning appliances.

The Challenges Before Odoo 


Before adopting Odoo, Supreme Fireplaces struggled with using multiple software systems for different areas of its operations. Their accounting software was separate from the management software, which in turn did not integrate with their CRM. 

This lack of integration created challenges in having a holistic view of the business, making it difficult to track progress or respond to issues in real time.

"We wanted a one-stop shop real-time with a non-reliance on customizations, open source, and that’s what led us to Odoo."

Emmanuel Markakis
Founder of Supreme Fireplaces

Supreme Fireplaces initially explored several software options before discovering Odoo. They used Dynacom for accounting, QuickBooks for financial management, and even Salesforce for CRM purposes. However, none of these tools provided the integration Supreme Fireplaces was looking for, especially in the manufacturing sector, which was vital for their operations.

According to Alexander Markakis, Odoo stood out because it captured both their manufacturing and accounting needs, while allowing customization without high costs. "Nothing captured the manufacturing side as well as Odoo did along with the accounting.

Odoo: The game changer


The shift to Odoo has been a pivotal moment for Supreme Fireplaces, enabling them to consolidate their operations into one unified system. No longer reliant on multiple software platforms, Odoo has allowed the team to have real-time access to data across the company. This transition has vastly improved the speed and efficiency with which Supreme Fireplaces can manage operations, track orders, and communicate across departments.

Emmanuel, who is a key figure in the company’s leadership, was the one who first discovered Odoo. After scouring the market for potential software solutions, he attended an event in Montreal, where Odoo's capabilities caught his attention. The company then worked with consultants to explore the platform's fit for Supreme Fireplaces’ needs.

Since implementing Odoo, Supreme Fireplaces has experienced significant operational improvements, particularly in efficiency:

 End-to-End Integration: Supreme Fireplaces now operates on a single platform that manages everything from raw material procurement to end-unit service requests. This seamless integration has provided the company with a 360-degree view of its business, allowing for better coordination and control over every step of the process.

 Real-Time information access: With Odoo, Supreme Fireplaces can now access real-time data, which is crucial for a company covering North America. Orders and shipments are tracked instantly, helping the team respond quickly to customer needs and logistics requirements.

 Efficient messaging and document handling: The embedded messaging feature in Odoo has become essential to Supreme Fireplaces’ daily operations. It helps the team manage everything from client notes to order confirmations and appeals. Before Odoo, logistics had to manually handle and email PDF attachments for confirmations. Now, everything is automated within the platform, saving time and reducing errors.

 Improved customer service: The integration of smart forms into their customer-facing B2B portal has enhanced Supreme’s interactions with clients. The portal offers a better user experience without the need to invest in third-party solutions.

Also, Odoo's efficiency has allowed Supreme Fireplaces to grow without increasing the number of office staff. 

"Thanks to Odoo, we didn’t need to hire additional full-time staff. With our old system, we would have needed several more employees to keep up."

Terry Tsarouhast
Finance and Operations Manager

What’s next for Supreme Fireplaces


Looking ahead, Supreme Fireplaces is focused on expanding its market share and bringing the comfort and warmth of its high-efficiency, EPA-approved wood-burning fireplaces and stoves to more homes. As a company dedicated to innovating the art of fire, they are focused on introducing new, cutting-edge products that seamlessly blend design and performance to elevate the home heating experience. 

On the technological side, Supreme Fireplaces is excited to further automate tasks using Odoo's upcoming AI integrations. This will reduce manual tasks, allowing employees to focus on more value-added activities, such as engaging with customers.

For other businesses in manufacturing and related industries, Odoo presents a valuable opportunity to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. By centralizing operations into one platform, businesses like Supreme Fireplaces can focus on what truly matters: delivering excellent products and exceptional customer service. If you're looking to streamline your operations and boost efficiency, consider adopting Odoo to take your business to the next level.

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