the simard family founded richelieu legwear in sorel, quebec in 1934. the family gained prominence in the region as shipbuilders and owners of marine industries limited (m.i.l.). richelieu grew to eventually employee over 600 people in quebec at its peak in 2002. the simards maintained ownership of richelieu until 1997, when harvey penner a montreal businessman who joined richelieu in the 1960s as a sales manager bought out the simards and became president of richelieu knitting. he remained with the company until 2006 when he sold the richelieu hosiery division to his son, michael d. penner, who is currently president and ceo.