35 Years Young Written and photographed by Mary Savage
Left to right Canyon owners Jason Chupik (President), Mark Chupik (Vice President), Sarah Linquist (Credit Manager and Partner), Harry Chupik (Chariman), Alex Chupik (CEO)
“Here for you: The Canyon assurance…”
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hirty-five years ago, Harry and Alex Chupik established a company that has become synonymous with the kind of leadership, vision and entrepreneurial spirit found throughout Calgary’s history. The Chupiks are driven to succeed, but they are also ethical and it’s their approach to business that has set them apart. The brothers started Canyon Plumbing & Heating Ltd. for two simple reasons: they needed to secure their future, but more importantly, they were driven to ‘build
a better business.’ They wanted to provide better service, better products and better pricing than what the market had to offer during the late 1970s. And they succeeded – not only as business owners, but also as industry leaders. Their progressive thinking has helped shape the industry as they have elevated the trade. They have educated their customers and business partners, won numerous awards and most recently, they have successfully transitioned the business to the second generation.
Father (Harry Chupik) top left; and his son (Jason Chupik) bottom left; together with Harry’s brother (Alex Chupik) top right; and his daughter (Sarah Lindquist) bottom centre; and son (Mark Chupik) bottom right.
For anyone who has worked with Canyon, it’s easy to see why the company has built a very loyal following: they listen. “We are great listeners. We listen to our customers and find the best solutions possible, and that’s how businesses succeed,” says Jason Chupik, president and second-generation partner. While Harry and Alex reflect on Canyon’s history, they both agree – light-heartedly – there are two key motivators when it comes to being successful: fear and money. And these motivators have served them well – keeping them sharp and always striving to ‘do better.’ They worked hard: an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and having grown up on a farm, neither knew any other way. They were young and ambitious, and they wanted more than an hourly job. Harry’s forte was managing the business while Alex ran the construction crews, and their strengths complemented one another magnificently, but they were also learning from the ‘school of hard knocks.’ “If you wake up in the morning and you like what you’re doing, you’ve got 50 per cent of life beat … and if you like where you’re going, that makes all the difference,” adds Alex Chupik, CEO. As the Canyon reputation slowly permeated the homebuilding and construction market, their business grew at an unabated pace. They weathered the economic peaks and
valleys, and they rebounded as a stronger entity each time. All the while, they remained true to their original vision, and all the people they worked with were taking note. Over the course of 35 years, Canyon has not only developed excellent relations among homebuilders, suppliers and manufacturers, but also among homeowners, industry associations and charities. However, any business is only as successful as the people behind it and the owners recognize their employees are truly the driving force behind Canyon’s success. They have helped to shape the industry through forward thinking and an unwavering commitment to their customers. And they have risen to become one of the largest plumbing companies in Canada. Although they have worked in both the commercial and residential sectors, a number of years ago they realigned the company’s direction to focus on the residential market. Today they work exclusively in the residential market: new home construction, multi-family, custom homes, renovations, hydronic radiant in-floor heating, service and maintenance. The majority of their business comes from homebuilders and developers – averaging about 2,500 new homes annually. The balance of their business caters to homeowners wishing to renovate kitchens, bathrooms, hot-water systems and in-floor heating. “We provide
Canyon Plumbing 35th Anniversary | 2
you’ve really outdone yourselves. Congratulations to the new management team for bringing Canyon Plumbing into their 35th year! It is always an absolute pleasure doing business with you. from all of us at Bartle & Gibson
We are proud to have partnered with you for over 30 years.
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excellent ‘plumbing makeovers’ and the best way to tackle any renovation is to be well informed,” adds Jason. “If you want or need everyday service, Canyon will be there. Our focus is to do all aspects of residential and do it right.” During the early 1990s, Canyon was the first plumbing company to build a showroom in Calgary – a showroom that has garnered international recognition and since its inception, has become a ‘prototype’ for design and selection the world over. Inside the showroom, you will find only the ‘best of the best’ and they have recently rolled out a new two-year warranty program that covers parts and labour – another industry first. Years ago, Canyon developed an in-house software program that was originally designed to make their operation more efficient – and it did so in spades. The software was so successful that Canyon started selling the packages to their competitors to help streamline the industry by working smarter. The software fosters sustainability, improved applications and more efficient operations. It’s specific to the plumbing and HVAC industry, so it increases business flow and reduces errors, and the program has proven to be very effective among suppliers and manufacturers. Canyon customers benefit greatly due to the organized
BAYWESTHOMES.COM
Congratulations Canyon Plumbing on your 35thAnniversary As a valued partner to Baywest Homes for many years, we applaud this occasion and your continued success serving the land development & new home industry.
Canyon Plumbing 35th Anniversary | 3
Canyon’s Mantra The essence of Canyon’s mantra is captured in the company’s mission statement: to be a passionate long-term partner for our customers, our employees and our community. Complementing their mission statement, Canyon also subscribes to five key pillars that are integral to their daily operations: quality, passion, trust, confidence and accountability.
and accurate information it provides so that service and solutions provided are right from the first call. While the brothers were busy growing the business, they also had the foresight to engage another type of growth: succession planning. And as Harry and Alex near retirement, their progressive thinking has positioned Canyon to thrive for decades. Today, the second generation is poised to lead Canyon through the next 35 years – and beyond. Harry’s son, Jason, is president. Alex’s son, Mark, is vice president and daughter, Sarah, is credit manager and partner – all moving forward as a strong and united front. The generations collaborate – drawing upon a vast body of expertise and knowledge. Jason, Mark and Sarah have embraced their fathers’ original vision and philosophy of building customers for life. “We want to work with our customers – forever,” says Jason Chupik, president.
“Small jobs are a big deal to us…” After 35 years, there isn’t much that Canyon hasn’t seen – unless you’re talking about new products. And when you step inside their 8,000-square-foot showroom, hundreds of product lines await. From kitchen and bathroom fixtures to
boilers and radiant in-floor heating, their showroom offers an endless selection that engages your dreams. “When we built the showroom, we raised the bar in our industry,” says Harry Chupik, chairman. “We’ve had plumbers come from all over the world to see our showroom and many companies have modelled their business after ours.” When the big-box stores started to appear in Calgary, Canyon responded not only to the industry, but also to help homeowners navigate a seemingly complex process. “We wanted to have control of the products. We had to ensure the better quality products were being installed in the home to prevent leaks and water damage, which sometimes was the result of poor quality products,” says Harry. “If you have control all the way down the line – from the customer’s request to the plumber’s work order – typically you don’t have any errors. It’s a complex trade, but we have simplified the process,” adds Jason. “It’s very important to listen to the customer: it allows us to give them the best advice so they can build the best home possible. And our goal is to provide the best representation and support. It gives us a competitive edge and that’s why we’ve added the two-year parts and labour warranty,” he continues.
Congratulations Canyon Plumbing on 35 years!
T 416 234 6264 | 800 760 3388 | F 416 231 0929 | www.mirolin.com Canyon Plumbing 35th Anniversary | 4
Congratulations Canyon Pumbing on
years!
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And new technologies offer leading-edge options: digitized controls, energy and water efficiency, water calculators and renewable technologies – all of which help the environment and are cost conscious. “There are some very exciting things emerging and we are watching these trends develop. There’s a new faucet that comes to market every day and we are continually screening the products,” asserts Mark Chupik, vice president. Canyon’s showroom offers the quintessential one-stop shop with global access. “For a product to appear in our showroom, it has to be a quality product at the right price,” asserts Mark. “If we can’t order the product or it’s not up to our standards, then it’s pulled from the showroom floor. All the products have to meet certain criteria – we only carry ‘plumber approved’ products.” This same mentality has also fostered Canyon’s drive and philosophy to build ‘customers for life.’ For Canyon, it’s not uncommon to hear from customers 10 or 15 years later – either for parts or because they’re renovating. And Canyon keeps all of the customer’s data on file, so when they call for a part, there’s no guesswork. “We are here for you and always will be,” adds Jason.
“We’re more than a set of hands…” Like their fathers, both Jason and Mark are journeymen plumbers; in fact, Mark ranked sixth ‘best plumber in the world’ during the 2003 World Skills competition. Unlike Jason and Mark, Sarah never aspired to be a plumber. She pursued the business side, like her Uncle Harry and Aunt Rosemarie, Sarah specializes in accounts receivables and other financial duties, gradually taking over from Rosemarie. Today, as the trio leads the company forward, they carry a drive to educate their customers, elevate the trade and raise awareness. “Plumbing is a profession that has
prevented more diseases than doctors have cured,” says Mark. “As a plumbing apprentice, you are taught that plumbing is about safeguarding human health and safety.” As Mark points out, having clean, hygienic conditions is something we take for granted. “Without clean hands, how do you prepare your food and bath your children … we are on the front lines and we are trying to elevate the trade, so it reflects our resolve to hire the best plumbers.” Plumbing is also about energy, efficiency and water conservation that include the “Green” best practice opportunities that occur throughout the day. For example, letting your faucet run for five minutes uses as much energy as a 60-watt light bulb running for 14 hours (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Once again, Canyon is leading the industry with an incredible selection of green products to help homeowners maximize our natural resources. Their website provides dozens of tips on how to conserve water or how clients can stop into their showroom and talk to one of their experts. “Our showroom salespeople are trained to help our customers determine the best products for their application. We educate our customers so they can make informed decisions,” adds Jason. “We are very innovative and forward thinkers, getting the products ahead of time to match the market and what the customers are looking for.”
“We’re always thinking ahead…” Twenty years ago, Harry and Alex had the foresight to plan for the future – long before their children expressed an interest in the business. Two decades later and as fate would play out, the second generation is poised to lead the company forward.
Corey Homes Congratulations
building custom homes since 1979
Canyon Plumbing and Heating Ltd. on your
35th Anniversary!
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Canyon is leading the industry with an incredible selection of Green products to help homeowners maximize our natural resources. But it didn’t happen overnight, nor without a lot of hard work and dedication. And when you consider the success rate of passing a family business from one generation to the next, only 30 per cent of families achieve a successful transition. Jason, Mark and Sarah have been involved with the business for well over a decade. They started working part time while still in high school and they learned the business from the ground up – initially starting with ‘grunt work.’ But the more time they spent at Canyon, the more their desire grew. “Although the three of us looked at other career options, there was never any question of what the future held for us and eventually all roads led back to Canyon,” observes Sarah Lindquist, credit manager and partner. Over the years, the Chupik family has worked with the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises (CAFE) and they have played a key role in assisting with the transition. The family enrolled in CAFE’s Road Map program: a universitystyle program that’s specifically designed to help family businesses transition from one generation to the next. “It’s very important to recognize how CAFE has helped us. With a family business, you can do and be whatever you want, but everyone has to share the same vision. You need a cohesive group that can talk about the issues and find solutions,” says Mark. Among the awards that Canyon has won, the CAFE Achievement Award is something the family is extremely proud of. “Harry and Alex had complementary strengths and they worked very well together for decades,” says Jason. “As Mark, Sarah and I started to work more closely, we learned to respect our roles within the organization and how we complement one another.” Canyon has had the good fortune of hiring many family members and at one time, they had about 17 employed. Likewise most of their employees have been with the company long term and that speaks to the internal environment that the Chupik family has built. “We have a lot of employees who have been with Canyon for 15 to 25 years. They have grown with the
company and have contributed to our success – it’s their commitment and dedication that has helped build the business,” notes Harry.
“Thank you, Calgary…” As Canyon celebrates their 35th anniversary, they extend a sincere note of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to their success – from the customers, homebuilders and employees to the business partners, suppliers and manufacturers. “We have grown with the homebuilders, we have a lot of strong ties and we are very grateful for those partnerships. The same is true of our customers and suppliers – it’s always been about the people,” adds Jason. The Chupik family graciously acknowledges the support and commitment from every single person who has helped shape the company and on behalf of the family, simply put, “Thank you … to everyone.”
www.canyonplumbing.com
Congratulations Canyon Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
on your
35 th Anniversary!
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Congratulations Canyon Plumbing
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Congratulations to
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Congratulations
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