Continues Innovative Legacy by Celebrating 30th Anniversary By Shelly Brimble
A
goal without a plan is just a dream. For many business owners searching for a future in a new building, the process of bringing their vision to reality can be a daunting task. Calgary-based Spacemakers Construction Services Inc. helps them navigate through the difficult process of finding or creating a new facility by simplifying the complex design-build and construction management process to ensure successful results. Their philosophy is reflected in their mission statement, “To take the complex and make it simple, delivering distinct value for our clients.” “The company has built a successful business one client at a time, ensuring they create lasting relationships by paying attention to every detail throughout each step in the construction process,” says Mike Meyer, business development. “We don’t promise to be perfect, but we do promise to get it right.” Spacemakers has been getting it right throughout the years by creating and evolving a process to simplify designbuild and construction management. As a result, they have become a strong company celebrating its landmark 30th anniversary.
The company began as a problem-solving firm that built a reputation for taking on construction projects that other contractors simply could not, or would not complete. The founder, Les Willems, brought over 20 years of experience to this innovative company that originally began as Aria Management and later changed to Spacemakers in 1989. Spacemakers began in a humble two-storey house on 12th Avenue NE where they incubated for 15 years eventually moving to an expansive office space in southeast Calgary where they remain today. Throughout the years, Spacemakers grew, adopted visionary goals and expanded into the company it is now under the leadership of Bart Benoit, Debbie Tomaszewski and Mike Meyer. Spacemakers resolves design challenges that often occur from a clash between technical realities of wish lists versus the reality of what can be done within budgets, existing construction practices and materials. They have done this while delivering projects on time and on budget. Mike adds, “Our expertise and knowledge helps the client save money while building a successful home for their business.” Mike rounds out the partnership team with extensive leadership and business development expertise. Each
Spacemakers | 30 Years | 1
The staff at Spacemakers. Photo by Bookstrucker Photography.
Spacemakers partner brought their own strengths that complemented each other’s. Throughout the years they have strengthened their skills within the company by being able to overlap their duties executing portions of each other’s roles as time constraints or circumstances dictated. The partners agree that their success has been due to the fact that they stuck to their core values throughout the high and low economic cycles in the last three decades. Debbie Tomaszewski, general manager finance and partner, says, “We were flexible and made adjustments to our business in order to survive the ups and downs and to keep our key people; we knew eventually the economy would turn around.” Early in the business, an innovative value-added approach emerged to provide a total solution for clients. Spacemakers began bundling land with a construction contract. Avoiding conflict with clients’ needs, the company does not own any land holdings but they have strategic alliances giving them the ability to source land to suit the building needs of the client. This legacy continues since Spacemakers currently has exclusive access to strategic land holdings and sites in the light industrial market. “If you are having a difficult time finding a site, we can help you find the right site in the right location for the right price,” Mike says. Spacemakers also ensures each building is optimally situated on the land so that the client has future flexibility and room for expansion. Furthermore, they make sure that the buildings are built with specifications that will help their clients with reselling features in the future.
Building Success One Client at a Time
Spacemakers always takes the time to get to know each and every client. The valuable time they spend, especially in the early planning stages, ensures long-lasting relationships. Mike adds, “Each and every job is both exciting and rewarding as each client becomes part of a lasting relationship.” Bart Benoit, general manager operations, adds, “We spend the time to really understand why they’re building. We learn what drives them – is it a requirement for operational efficiency, business growth, or are they looking for an investment? We make sure we build a suitable strategy based on the owners’ objectives to satisfy the clients’ requirements both now and in the future.” Once they identify why the client is building, the Spacemakers team can make effective recommendations to satisfy their objectives. Different client objectives result in different solutions, so it is important to understand what motivates them. Is it business growth, operational efficiency, investment or simply a resale? “Every project is different, we don’t sell boxes, we develop solutions,” says Bart. But the process does not stop there. Spacemakers, along with a team of subtrades and consultants, then analyzes the building and its proposed usage in order to optimize its function. This is why it is said that at Spacemakers, they build a building from the inside out. Getting it right at the beginning stage is why Spacemakers is able to build their
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Congratulations to Spacemakers Construction on their 30 Year Anniversary!
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clients’ buildings with just over one per cent by value in project change orders. Spacemakers takes a sincere interest in the success of the client and their business. “Our results speak for themselves,” adds Debbie.
Strategic Formula
Like a strong chess player, Spacemakers continues to make moves to challenge themselves while staying innovative and exceeding customers’ expectations. “Where we stand out is that we understand what the client requires today and what they require in the future,” Debbie says. “We help them grow into future plans with our designbuild focus. We design it to suit today’s needs as well as if they need to repurpose the building.” Spacemakers believes the strength in their relationships is accomplished by having a close-knit project team for each project and ultimately has one person responsible. This is accomplished by providing a single source responsibility through its comprehensive service package that takes the client through the entire life cycle of a project. When asked what the primary reason is for their success
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WE WANT TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY CONGRATULATE SPACEMAKERS CONSTRUCTION ON THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY
the team agrees it is the accountability. Bart says, “There isn’t a client who we have built for that doesn’t know they can contact anyone of us at any time to get help or just to discuss a challenge or a change if they need it. We are willing to look at different ways of doing things in order to solve the challenge.” Bart joined the team in 1997 during the construction boom in Calgary. He brought extensive construction expertise to the partnership since he was a carpenter by trade with 12 years of superintendent experience. Spacemakers ensures quality through effective processes. “By spending the time up front we ensure clients’ needs are met in the design process,” says Bart. “The result is less than one per cent of change orders across all the projects. Spacemakers also stands behind their deliverables by being accountable for the quality of the building – even if the warranty has expired.” Spacemakers also guarantees the projects are kept on budget. Debbie says, “We measure the cost not only at the proposal stage, but at contract, construction completion and after the first three years, you will see Spacemakers delivers the best value hands down.” A very important aspect of any construction project is having the skills and the ability to navigate the difficult per-
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mit process. “When we started we spent about 70 per cent of the time with the customer and 15 per cent with the subtrades and staff and the remaining time was spent on city process,” says Mike. “That has all changed since we now spend about 70 per cent of our time managing permits.” In order to deliver the projects on time and on budget, Spacemakers has also grown its own in-house team of construction professionals who currently have over 90 years of combined expertise with the company. Spacemakers also has a much larger team of subtrades and consultants who have become a strong part of their network, enabling them to keep pace with construction boom cycles. Mike says, “This extended team is very important to us both now and in the future.” Spacemakers takes pride in their relationships with all subtrade partners and have been chosen by many as the go-to design-build firm when they needed a new facility. The design-build method of delivery will always remain a core and growing business at Spacemakers. This focus will enable the company to continue to strengthen its relationships with developers and broaden its builder-of-choice model.
Congratulations Spacemakers! We wish you many years of continued success!
Projects
Throughout the years they have refined a complete life cycle of construction services that demystify the process for business owners. They accomplish this by providing end-toend construction services including: design, process mapping and operational efficiency planning, operations/equipment floor planning, permits, construction, commissioning and building maintenance services. “Owners have a business to run and seek our services to deliver on the owners’ best interests,” says Mike.
Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC), the provincially licensed not-for-profit product stewardship corporation responsible for the collection, recycling and bylaw compliance of recycling beverage containers, had outgrown its facility in the Ogden area of Calgary. ABCRC turned to a team of professionals including Spacemakers to help them find a facility that would meet their growing needs. The process helped them identify an existing 100,000 ft2 facility in northeast Calgary that could be renovated to meet their requirements. “Spacemakers provided ABCRC with some of the key components that allowed our project to be successful – a strong team and effective support in navigating complex permitting Spacemakers | 30 Years | 5
process,” says Guy West, president of ABCRC. “We also benefited from Spacemakers’ practical strategies for resolving constructability issues and embedding sustainable design. We’re pleased to be in our new and improved space on time and on budget.” The facility required numerous improvements to suit ABCRC’s operations. Designs included construction of a freight yard on adjoining lands to accommodate the tractor and trailer activities. Building access was enhanced through additional dock doors, and increasing the size of overhead doors. Demising the operations areas into separate operational spaces and functions enhanced operations. They were further enhanced through the design and construction of specialized conveyor pits to automate the separating, loading and processing of the recycled containers. Office areas were also renovated and refreshed. The project also included the implementation of sustainable initiatives including: rainwater harvesting for operations housekeeping, utilizing certifiable high-recycling content materials, recycling construction waste, new highefficient operations lighting, and reworking existing and installing new HVAC systems.
Spacemakers helped ABCRC to achieve their vision of creating a new container-recycling facility that has now become the new benchmark for operational efficiency and quality control in the container-recycling sector.
Compact Rentals Ltd. Compact Rentals Ltd., located in northeast Calgary, contracted Spacemakers through their Realtor to help them create a new state-of-the-art construction rentals facility near Deerfoot Trail and Country Hills Boulevard. “They gave us excellent objectives with a mandate to get it done right,” Mike says. The new Compact Rentals facility will improve efficiency, and the customer service experience, building on the already highly regarded service Compact Rentals has become well known for. “The team of experts Spacemakers gathered, on our behalf, have done an awesome job of simplifying the never-ending challenges a project like ours presents,” says Jenny LaBoret, director, Compact Rentals. “This, of course, reduced our stress load immensely and allowed us to do what we do best, and that is ‘looking after business.’ Spacemakers’ knowledge
Congratulations to Spacemakers on their 30 th Anniversary!
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of the most current and innovative strategies really streamlined our state-of-the-art design.” The complexity of the building required the navigation of various permitting processes. This included assisting in negotiations with the developer and the City of Calgary to adopt the way the building could face on the property. If built under the existing restrictions (facing Deerfoot Trail), there would not have been enough space for a future expansion. Jenny adds, “The number one issue for Compact Rentals in building our new facility was dealing with our city bureaucracy. It is well known that our city’s building and planning process is frustrating and cumbersome. Not a friendly place to do business. The expertise Spacemakers provided to navigate this process has been priceless. I can unequivocally say I would not have wanted to do this without ‘the Spacemakers team’.” “We had the right people on the job. They were able to create a design and engineering strategy that got the nod from the city,” Mike adds. The new design-build Compact Rentals development includes: • Architecturally approved building elevations including precast concrete, composite panels, thermal panels,
locally manufactured curtain wall and ribbon glazing and special building features • High-end site fencing for screening, security, durability and maintenance-free enjoyment • Full suite of technically advanced security systems • Drive-thru service bays for the maintenance of rental equipment • Ribbon glazing throughout the service area for abundant natural light • Drive-thru wash bay • Specialized yard area to efficiently organize, load and unload equipment • A new yard loading ramp • On-site environmentally compliant refuelling station • Building is designed for a future expansion • Excellent customer service area with automated sliding glass doors and a world-class showroom, service and parts areas • Staff amenity spaces including outdoor amenity space, lunchroom and training room, gym with change room/ shower, locker-room, etc.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FRIENDS AT SPACEMAKERS ON 30 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS! Wishing You Continued Success For The Next 30 From all of us at Watt Consulting Group
www.wattconsultinggroup.com Civil, Municipal and Traffic Engineering | Storm Water Management | Geomatics/Legal Survey | Transportation Planning
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Douglasglen Properties Douglasglen Properties is a multi-tenant development located in Douglasglen, directly adjoining Quarry Park that will be ready for occupancy in 2014. “The client has a residential portfolio with the objective of diversifying their portfolio with some light industrial holdings for lease,” Bart says. They contracted Spacemakers through their Realtor to help them optimize the project that will provide eight light industrial building bays with a typical 3,680 ft2 of area on one floor. In addition, multiple bays can be assembled to create larger size areas. The building is ideally suited to satisfy the business requiring excellent location, multiple high-volume routes in the southeast. The building utilizes sound building materials and design to reduce the cost of utilities, and provides a large rear loading area with large overhead doors. The building is located in a light industrial area surrounded with other architecturally appealing businesses. The construction is currently underway and the bays are available for lease starting in spring 2014.
Pretty N Pearls Creating a boutique shop out of a bay in less than four months was just another exercise in how to apply Space-
From playing with blocks…
makers’ design-build formula to repurpose an existing space. Pretty N Pearls, a boutique women’s clothing store located in a convenient retail mall in Copperfield, opened in record time with a unique design that reflected the owner’s flair for fashion. The space was designed with the owner to deliver on the vision of a walk-in closet to rival any women’s wildest dream! The 1,400 ft2 space is inviting, exciting and encourages client curiosity to explore the potential ensembles. “They took care of the small details that I as a small business owner was too busy to see, and in the end I see that those details were actually very big things,” says Jennifer Sawka, Pretty N Pearls owner.
Kienna Coffee Kienna Coffee, a specialty coffee selector and processor, had a challenge they could not resolve. Their rapid growth had resulted in their operations being spread out in a multibay facility in southeast Calgary. Their corporate success had them bursting at the seams so they also turned to Spacemakers for an innovative solution in a new purpose-built facility to meet their growing needs. Spacemakers assisted Kienna in securing the right site, in the right location at a competitive price.
TSE Steel - Our strength is our people
…to 30 years of business…
Congratulations Spacemakers on your 30th Anniversary!
Congratulations Spacemakers on 30 years!
For your utility and grading needs — 403.619.5710
Heavy equipment rentals — 403.612.6595
4436 – 90 Avenue SE Phone: 403-279-6060 • Fax: 403-279-2054 www.tsesteel.com
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Acorn consulting EnginEE nginEEring EEring group ltd. Acorn consulting EnginEE nginEEring EEring & AssociA ssoci tE ssociA tEs Es ltd. Congratulations Spacemakers! Wishing you many years continued success. 1921 - 10th Avenue S.W. P: 403.228.2827 • F: 403.244.8786 acegroup@acegroupltd.com
www.airpacenterprises.com (403) 279 8171
Congratulations to Spacemakers Construction Services as you celebrate 30 years in business. We wish you many more years of success.
Aym Installations Ltd. Sheet Metal + HVAC Congratulations Spacemakers on 30 great years! 4aym@telus.net Phone: 403-630-3800 • Fax: 403-207-0062
"Congratulations Spacemakers
Congratulations Spacemakers! Wishing you continued success.
on 30 years of business. We are proud to roof the spaces that you have made."
Barrier Systems Inc.
202, 3639 - 27 St. NE | Calgary, AB T1Y 5E4
Phone: 403 291-1335 | Fax: 403 250-2445 www.barriersystems.com
Congratulations Spacemakers on your 30th Anniversary. • Industrial Property Sales • Industrial Property Leasing • Tenant Representation
Marshall Toner Executive Vice President (403) 750-0531
Spacemakers | 30 Years | 9
Ryan Haney Senior Vice President (403) 750-0532
Katie Proud Sales Associate (403) 750-0529
Tyler Allen Sales Associate (403) 750-0504
This new facility leverages sustainable initiatives to mitigate the environmental footprint. The design process is exploring a heat-recovery system, the potential of a geothermal system and demountable partitions to keep up with the ever and dynamically changing requirements of a growing business. The design incorporates other high-efficiency systems such as thermal panels for the building exterior, and locally sourced and manufactured window systems to reduce the effect of solar loading and insulate against the cold Calgary winters. The floor plans have been developed from Kienna’s years of experience in the business and integrates clean, automated systems and equipment with functional human interaction and flexibility. The new Kienna facility will house a sophisticated coffee process, adding value to the raw coffee bean materials with
proven roasting techniques, specialized grinding, packaging and distribution.
Calgary Indoor Tennis Centre Spacemakers is excited to announce that it has just been appointed the builder for the Calgary Indoor Tennis Centre located on 90th Avenue SE. The construction on this exciting new sports facility is expected to proceed this spring. The centre will provide the newest indoor tennis courts in the city with some of the best court surfaces and the newest lighting technologies. “We are proud to be part of the project team and looking forward to the facility opening,” Mike says. “The team is presently fundraising and seeking sponsors at every level. If any of the Calgary corporate community can assist with a tax-deductible donation, please contact us.”
Special Congratulations from your friends at Belyea Consulting and Strategic Realty Services Inc.
Congratulations Spacemakers on 30 successful years.
PROUD TO SHARE IN THE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF GREAT BUILDINGS WITH
South-Way
SPACEMAKERS
Equipment Rentals Ltd. 4729 - 32 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2B 2X3 Ph: 207.4577 • Fax: 207.0099
Chain Link Fencing 403.285.5601
Rick Balbi Architect Ltd.
5917 1”A” Street SW Calgary, Alberta, T2H 0G4 tel: 403.253.2853 • fax: 403.253.3078
Best Wishes and Continued Success in the next 30 Years!
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Congrats Spacemakers on your 30th Anniversary!
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Congratulations, Spacemakers! Proud to be working with you, and we wish you continued success in the industry. Suite 2020, 736-6th Avenue S.W. 403.265.9966 www.devencorenkf.com
2626, 48 Street SE • 403.273.0113 • 403.248.6305 www.foothillslandscaping.ca
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Congrats on 30 Years! www.ramblerfabrication.com
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Congratulations to Spacemakers on their 30th Anniversary!
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Congratulates Spacemakers on 30 years!
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All the best for continued success.
Congratulations to Spacemakers on 30 successful years in the industry!
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Future Focus New Products Opening New Markets Business is changing and so is Spacemakers’ vision to expand across Western Canada into new markets. Mike says, “The team is looking forward to leading Spacemakers into the future and the next transition of the growth. This will involve opening new markets and offices throughout Western Canada.” Spacemakers recently signed a partnership deal with Rigid Global Buildings to provide products and solutions to expand into new markets. These rapid turnaround quality steel buildings will enable Spacemakers to enter new opportunities in: agricultural, aviation, fabrication, religious, recreational, and oil and gas facilities. “This is a great addition to the construction solutions we already provide our customers,” adds Bart. “The addition of the Rigid products has already opened new doors, helping us get the contract for the upcoming Calgary Indoor Tennis Centre.” “We also expect expansive growth in oil and gas facilities,” adds Mike. Rigid, a leading steel building manufacturer in the U.S., designs, value engineers and manufactures steel building to exact specifications. These buildings are engineer certified throughout Canada and the U.S. Spacemakers has already done some consulting work on oil and gas projects in the Fort McMurray area and expect
Value
Just over 1% by value in project change orders
Safety
Safety, reoccurring benefit from much lower than industry incidents, claims, lost time and costs
the addition of the Rigid products to expand their business opportunities. The steel buildings can be used in any oilfield operations from well-site facilities, SAGD operations, upgraders, pipeline infrastructure, field offices, distribution centres and fabrication facilities. “We have a product to match any oilfield need on budget with a rapid deployment time,” Mike adds. As the geographical footprint grows so will Spacemakers specialized services and processes to serve their remote and out-of-town clients with full construction services to reduce client investments in time, travel and costs.
New Services Strengthen Client Relations Spacemakers recently added maintenance services to complete the loop as a full-cycle con construction services company. “Maintenance was an organic expansion of our current business offerings,” says Bart. “We are intimate with the client and the building requirements. Hence it is easier for Spacemakers to deal with the maintenance of the building as well as ensuring warranty of all products within the project. The life cycle of the building becomes longer and more efficient as a result of our continued care of the facility.” Whether it is providing consulting services, design-build or construction management services the team will continue to build Spacemakers’ reputation one client at a time. •
2008 Award 2008 Best Safety Performer Work Safe Alberta
Results!
Get it right We don’t promise to be perfect but we do promise to get it right
Quality
Quality, less than l% by project value of incomplete work at substantial performance
100%
100% on time delivery record
403.277.5565 www.spacemakersconstruction.com Spacemakers | 30 Years | 12