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Liftboss is proud to introduce another first in the construction industry, JCB’s compact, tracked backhoe loader. The 1CXT provides superior maneuverability, an optional handheld tool auxiliary, as well as a universal quick hitch that is compatible with most skid steer attachments. The machine is equipped with a 49 hp engine that requires no aftertreatment. iftboss Inc. was established in May 2006 by adding JCB construction equipment in 2017 has been Lessfour than six feet wide 7-feet-6 other backhoe loader willmore fit. partners John and and Andre Gagnon,tall; Daleput it to awork great where addition,no and has made Liftboss Inc. even
L
Beatty and Marc Tougas to be a one stop shop visible in the heavy equipment industry in Alberta. dealership for all material handling needs. Having They will always stay true to their material handling worked in the industry before, the four partners, roots, but having an established and well respected Give us a call for more info or to arrange a demo. pooled all there resources, previous experience construction line has solidified the fact that Liftboss together and designed a new business model to fill Inc. is here for the long haul and ready to compete. the much needed niche that the industry needed. Liftboss Inc. is an Alberta owned and operated Whether you are looking for a new machine, a rental, dealership, offering new and used equipment sales, service or parts on an existing unit, or simply want a total parts department, forklift rentals, forklift a second option on something, give them a call and training, trained and certified mechanics to perform they will be happy to point you in the right direction. repairs in shop and service vehicles to handle on site As a group, Liftboss Inc. do what they do based repairs. Liftboss Inc. prides it’s self on quick response on four core values: do what you say you will in a time to customer’s breakdowns. timely manner; be open and honest; do whatever it takes; and service the customer above all else. As Customer service was the reason the company each department grows, each team member is held was born, and has captured an impressive share accountable to those principles, their focus of business for Liftboss. In the past 3 years, the is to be a quality company that people downturn in the Alberta economy has definitely are proud to work for. affected the sales activity, but comparatively the service and parts business has noticed substantial growth. The sales team builds portfolios for each client’s needs and service preferences; this way, they can have a conversation with a client instead Introducing the future of construction equipment. of simply walking them around the The new JCB Hydradig is the world’s first wheeled excavator and showroom. Their clients appreciate tool carrier designed for purpose and built without compromise. the attention and reward them with Travel to—and around—work sites faster than ever, maneuver into repeat business and referrals.
tight spaces with greater safety, and apply the right attachments
Material handling and forklifts werewhere and continue to be they’re needed. a huge part of what Liftboss Inc. has grown from, but
Contact Liftboss JCB for more information.
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elebrating Outstanding C Business Leadership Meet the Junior Achievement Northern Alberta 2020 Business Hall of Fame Laureates By Nerissa McNaughton
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Trust in Business – Entrepreneurs are on Your Side By Terry O’Flynn
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ABOVE CENTRE: LARRY ANDREWS PHOTO SOURCE: RAY WATKINS, RDUB PHOTOGRAPHY
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Eight Things the Trudeau Government can do to Help Edmonton Makers By David MacLean Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
so much more than print
Sparking Joy Everywhere we go I have been with Cowan Graphics for 10 and a half years as an account executive, energetically & eagerly flogging our bountiful wares and cashing a nice paycheque while doing it. In all this time, I’ve worked on countless projects in umpteen industries – fleet, construction, tourism, cannabis, healthcare, fitness and recreation, retail, etc. but the one project that really stands out for me and continually sparks great joy is helping to “de-institutionalize” the dementia ward at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital in Edmonton. St. Joseph’s approached me with their objective to implement “calming measures” for their residents using carefully selected images positioned around the ward. It took several weeks to choose just the right images and get a consensus. Once agreed upon, the graphics were produced and applied to elevators, walls, doors, windows and alcoves. The images were intended to brighten up the place and to deter residents from trying to exit; they could not be triggering in any way. Once the graphics were installed, the feedback poured in. Several staff members commented that they loved the new friendly atmosphere, that the residents’ families noticed a markedly improved demeanor in their loved ones living on the ward, and that the new culture provided by the graphics actually greatly improved the quality of residents’ lives. “GREATLY IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES!!” That is when I broke down. Having just recently lost my husband and already riding an emotional rollercoaster, when they shared that my little project had improved the quality of people’s lives, I lost it. We were not merely selling decals, banners, face shields or wayfinding signs; we were creating an enhanced standard of living and lifestyle, and really, how can you top that? Since then, we have done many more of these types of projects throughout more Dementia Wards, End-of-Life Units and Compassion Rooms at various hospitals, including creating a cozy neighbourhood feel by wrapping each resident’s door with a unique design, with their input. It has been humbling, fulfilling and yes, joy-sparking. Connie Lloyd, Account Executive/Milestone Member, Cowan Graphics Inc.
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CONTENTS COMPANY PROFILES
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THIS MONTH’S FEATURES
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Paving the Way Boots on the ground give way to heels at work By Melanie Franner
avigating Mental Health in the N Time of COVID-19 By Bethany Neufeld
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he Relationship Between T Sleep and Success By Rick Tiedemann
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Celebrates 25 Years
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B OMA Edmonton News Fall 2020
Celebrates 30 Years
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Celebrates 50 Years
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CORRECTION NOTICE
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The following corrections reference August’s ALCANNA article. Marcie Kiziak hails from Vermillion. Cannabis can be moved from store to store under certain restrictions. The HART charity mentioned stands for Humane Animal Rescue Team, as ALCANNA focuses on local charities.
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TRUST IN BUSINESS – ENTREPRENEURS ARE ON YOUR SIDE // TERRY O’FLYNN
Trust in Business – Entrepreneurs are on Your Side BY TERRY O’FLYNN, CHAIRMAN, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP
Y
ou’re probably tired of hearing it, but that doesn’t change the fact-we are in unprecedented times. The pandemic and the recession test Albertans now and will for the months and years to come. We don’t know how or when it will end, but there is a simple way to position ourselves to the best outcome of this mess, and that is by trusting the tried and true way of keeping an economy healthy – being competitive and trusting our business leaders. In recent years, global competition for investment has arguably never been greater. Jurisdictions around the world, whether their politicians realize it or not, have recognized that capital can travel and tends to go to the best market. When we come out of the pandemic, capital will be less available, and competition for it will continue to abound. Albertans have excelled in a competitive world in the past and we can do so again in the future. We are in a perfect environment to limit regulation at the municipal and provincial levels. Red tape has hampered economic growth for decades. There are many duplicative measures that do nothing to make business safer, better for employees, create jobs, or be more effective. Instead, these regulations simply act as a speed bump or complete barrier to business. When we get past 2020, if we are going to be competitive, we can no longer afford those barriers.
Let’s not forget that when our previous government raised corporate taxes in 2015, they brought in less revenue than before. That is because with a higher tax rate there were less businesses wanting to be here, and less opportunity to turn a profit. The more a business can be successful, the more we can all benefit. No one is going to benefit with a tax rate higher in Alberta than in other jurisdictions. Different levels of government must seek to do no additional harm. As we leave this recession and pandemic there will always be demographics of people asking for more. That’s easy to predict. But it’s also easy to predict the harm we will do to our economy if we believe that higher taxes, more regulation, and less trust in entrepreneurs will do us any good. It won’t. Let’s trust in business and keep Alberta competitive. Businesses and employers are facing some of the biggest challenges in their history. The employer/employee relationship is being tested leading to, what I believe, is a newfound respect for, and appreciation of, each other. Now, more than ever, employers and employees recognize their partnership in success. They may have different motivating factors, but they all share the most important one: the mutually beneficial success of the business. Trust in business and entrepreneurs, they are on your side.
We can lower our corporate tax rate so we are more competitive for businesses to be here, compared with other jurisdictions. A low tax rate retains jobs locally and attracts new companies moving into Alberta. Businesses can help build up communities far faster than any bureaucracy. We should work to make it easier to put businesses first. When businesses are thriving, the whole community thrives.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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EIGHT THINGS THE TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO HELP EDMONTON MAKERS // DAVID MACLEAN
Eight Things the Trudeau Government can do to Help Edmonton Makers BY DAVID MACLEAN
M
anufacturing is critical to Canada. The country’s 90,000 manufacturers generate over 10 per cent of the country’s GDP and nearly two-thirds of its merchandise exports. The sector’s footprint amounts to nearly 30 per cent of Canada’s economic activity, and Alberta manufacturers provide high-paying jobs for more than 140,000 families.
5. Provide supports to help transition unemployed Canadians and youth into new jobs and help address labour and skills shortages in manufacturing. Specifically, create an Employer Training Tax Credit, fund programs encouraging more youth to choose a career in manufacturing and increase the number of economic immigrants admitted to Canada each year.
Output and exports of Canada’s manufactured goods have grown at much slower rates than in other developed countries, and this is largely due to a steady decline in manufacturing investment that started in the early 2000s. With that and the sting of the COVID-19 slowdown in mind, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) has submitted eight recommendations to boost manufacturing as part of the government’s budget consultation process.
6. Support initiatives to keep workers safe by implementing a program to offset the mounting costs to businesses of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on new protocols.
1. Implement a strategy that encourages the development of natural resources, builds up supply chains for manufacturing inputs, and supports upgrading where practical. Create the Health Advanced Research Procurement Agency (HARPA). 2. Re-finance existing investment support programs and streamline their processes to provide business certainty and relaunch investment support grant programs for smaller firms. Fund productivity training in manufacturing. 3. Reform the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program. Specifically, modernize the definitions of eligible costs and R&D, increase the base rate from 20 per cent to 25 per cent, and introduce complementary measures such as a Patent Box tax incentive. 4. Capitalize on increased demand for local manufactured products and the urgent need for more resilient supply chains.
7. Ensure climate policies minimize negative economic impacts and emissions leakages. Specifically, fully recycle all revenues from climate change policies into the manufacturing sector; introduce a green tax credit to support GHG-reducing investments and establish procurement policies that consider the inherent carbon benefits of Canadian manufactured goods in domestic infrastructure projects. Introduce an export tax credit for businesses that export to countries without carbon pricing systems comparable to our own. 8. Conduct a full review of Canada’s tax and regulatory competitiveness. We hope the next federal budget signals to Canada and our trading partners that we are serious about nurturing a competitive manufacturing sector.
CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) IS THE VOICE OF CANADIAN MANUFACTURING. CME REPRESENTS MORE THAN 2,500 COMPANIES WHO ACCOUNT FOR AN ESTIMATED 82 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURING OUTPUT AND 90 PER CENT OF CANADA’S EXPORTS.
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ATB Financial launches ATB Capital Markets for greater investment in Alberta
E
dmonton—ATB Financial is proud to introduce ATB Capital Markets—a highly specialized team of experts who create more opportunity for investment in Alberta by helping businesses harness the potential of our rapidly changing economic landscape. “ATB Capital Markets bolsters Alberta’s economy by helping companies find success locally and globally with a full suite of financial service solutions for all their treasury, finance and capital market’s needs,” said Curtis Stange, president and CEO of ATB Financial. “ATB Capital Markets is giving companies expert advice and access to capital at a time when they need it the most.” With offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Denver, no other Alberta-based organization offers this unique combination of industry expertise, a deep understanding and commitment to the Alberta economy, alongside a broadened global reach. ATB Capital Markets, a combination of capital market services within ATB Financial and AltaCorp Capital, helps corporate clients succeed through services including:
“BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR ECONOMY
• Corporate banking, loan syndications and project finance
AND WE’RE COMMITTED TO BEING
• Debt capital, equity capital and financial markets
A STRONG PARTNER TO HELP THEM
• Institutional sales and trading
ADAPT AND SUCCEED,” SAYS JOHN
• Expert advice on mergers and acquisitions, divestiture and private equity • Institutional research to leverage industry and sector insight “It’s a challenging environment and we understand how to navigate these complexities better than anyone. By consolidating our expertise, ATB Capital Markets can support
HORSMAN. clients with the capital and advice they need to move their business forward,” said Jon Horsman, senior executive vice president business at ATB Financial. “Businesses and industry are at the heart of our economy and we’re committed to being a strong partner to help them adapt and succeed.”
ABOVE: JON HORSMAN, SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS AT ATB FINANCIAL.
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About ATB Financial
more than 5,000 team members love to deliver exceptional experiences to nearly 777,000 customers in our 175 branches, 139 agencies, 24-hour Client Care Centre, four entrepreneur centres, or through our digital banking options. Everything we do is focused on how we can serve Albertans—from providing expert advice and supporting entrepreneurs to helping Albertans buy a home and grow their wealth.
With $55.8 billion in assets, ATB Financial is an Alberta-built financial institution that is a catalyst for economic growth in our province. We got started in 1938 to help Albertans through tough economic times and are still the only financial institution in more than 100 Alberta communities. ATB’s
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Stantec Awarded the Water Research Foundation Study to Define Digital Water Transformation The Water Research Foundation (WRF) awarded Stantec the lead in a global collaboration of utility and technology experts to define the framework for the digital transformation of the water industry. The project, titled Definition of Smart Utility – How to be a Digital Utility and the Framework for an Intelligent Water System (WRF 5039), is funded by WRF with monetary support from the Great Lakes Water Authority, as well as the in-kind support of research participants. The intended outcome of this collaboration is to assist utility leaders to make better, datadriven decisions supported by an Intelligent Water Systems (IWS) framework. “Although various research organizations, utilities, and solution providers are assisting the industry in addressing parts of the transition to a digital and smart water sector, this study will create the first IWS framework to
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embed digital solutions and platforms in everyday utility business practice,” said research lead and Stantec associate environmental specialist, Dr. Carla Cherchi. Smart technologies complement traditional water infrastructure to give utilities greater awareness and control over their operations, allow for early detection of problems, address deteriorating infrastructure and workforce concerns, reduce operational costs, and improve resource efficiency. Digital technologies also enable water utilities to enhance decision-making, regulatory compliance, security, and customer benefits. According to a 2017 study by Northeast Group across the United States, water utilities expect to invest $8.3 billion in smart infrastructure over the next 10 years to satisfy the need for modernization.
OFF
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THE TECHNOLOGIES AND DATA PLATFORMS AVAILABLE TO WATER UTILITIES CREATE COUNTLESS BENEFITS ACROSS VARIOUS BUSINESS PROCESSES. Dr. Carla Cherchi, who will serve as principal investigator for the study together with co-principal investigators Dr. Cello Vitasovic of 9D Analytics LLC and Stantec’s Prabhu Chandrasekeran, will leverage ongoing advancements in sensor, data management/analytics, and digital communication technologies throughout the 11-month WRF project. The work will focus on developing a framework, or structure, of the critical aspects pertaining to the digital transformation of water and wastewater utilities. Approximately 30 agencies from around the globe and seven data solution providers will provide technical input and critical review of the project deliverables alongside a nine-person technical advisory committee. Four critical elements need to mutually function for a successful IWS structure: policy and governance, people, process, and technology. The framework will identify a tailored set of fundamental elements, best practices, and a transformation pathway necessary to assist organizations in becoming a smart utility. The project scope will also include the development of an online progress tool to allow utilities to more easily evaluate and validate their digital maturity. The technologies and data platforms available to water utilities create countless benefits across various business processes. Water supply management, water treatment, water distribution, customer engagement, internal customers, wastewater collection, wastewater reclamation, and watershed protection are all components of water and wastewater utilities that can reap the benefits of digital infrastructure and concepts. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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PAVING THE WAY // CONSTRUCTION
PAVING THE WAY BOOTS ON THE GROUND GIVE WAY TO HEELS AT WORK BY MELANIE FRANNER
T
he construction industry employed approximately 3.5 per cent of Alberta women in 2018, according to numbers from a BuildForce Canada report entitled Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward, Highlights 2019-2028. According to the report, women represent approximately 15 per cent of the province’s construction labour force. Of this amount, some 30 per cent work directly on construction projects. The remaining 70 per cent work primarily in administration and management-related occupations. Engineering accounts for 29 per cent – or approximately 3,300 women – of female construction employment. The province’s non-residential sector employs 6,500 women, or 57 per cent of all tradeswomen, while the residential sector employs 4,900 women or 42 per cent.
Leading by example The industry has seen an influx of women in all areas of construction over the past few years. Some say that the numbers need to rise even higher.
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“It hasn’t changed enough,” states Jen Hancock, V.P. collaborative construction, Chandos. “I know that there are more women working at Chandos now compared to when I started. I also know that there are many times, whether at meetings or industry events, I’m still very much in the minority as a woman. There were women having this conversation 15, 20, or 30 years ago. The numbers haven’t increased as much as they should have.” That opinion is shared by Lindsay Munn-Price, manager of capital projects, University of Alberta. “During my time in this industry, I have seen changes in inclusion and diversity, especially as it relates to women in construction,” she says. “There is still room for improvement, but it is encouraging to me to see so many organizations willing to start to consider and make the changes that will make a difference.” Julie Williams, sales and pre-construction manager, Edmonton branch, Scott Builders, has been involved in the construction industry for over 12 years. Although she feels that there is an increasing number of women in the industry, she admits that more needs to be done.
35 Years of Distinction JR. KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12 “I feel that there is still a way to go,” she explains. “I think we need to start educating women about the opportunities available in the industry much earlier, like in high school or even elementary school.” Today, Hancock, Munn-Price and Williams have long, established careers in the construction industry, and all have become leaders in their own right – as well as role models for other women.
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Hancock has 12 years of industry experience under her belt. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree and actively taught for a few years before she decided to pursue an alternate career path. “I made the decision to not teach anymore, so I got a job in administration at an engineering firm,” she explains. “After a few years, I reached a plateau there when I saw an opportunity as a project assistant for Chandos. I applied for the job and got it. I had no idea at that time how life-changing that job would be for me.” Today, Hancock continues to work for Chandos, albeit in a much more senior role. She credits part of her success to her own thirst for knowledge. “I worked at Chandos as a project assistant for a year and then went on maternity leave,” she says.
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PAVING THE WAY // CONSTRUCTION
“But while I was on leave, I studied for – and passed – the LEED exam.” The new accreditation enabled Hancock to get out into the field more often, something she found she loved doing. It also helped her after the recession hit in 2009 when her position evolved into director of business development, proposal writing. From there, it was a short hop to sustainability and integrated project delivery. “I grew into new roles as the roles evolved within the company,” says Hancock, who attributes a lot of her success to the company’s own approach to its employees. “Since joining Chandos, I have had a ton of support. I adapted my role within the company but Chandos also made things very possible for me. The company helped me to grow as a person and to fill the spots that we needed to in order to grow the organization.”
“Through experience, role models, and mentorship, I have gained confidence and the necessary skills to fulfill my current leadership role,” she says.
Carving out her own path
One direction
Munn-Price knew that she wanted to work in the construction industry from the time she was a teenager and had an opportunity to work during the summer driving a 60-ton dump truck at a quarry in Cadomin. During that time, she was fortunate enough to be exposed to elements of engineering and chose to pursue a degree in civil engineering at the University of Alberta.
Ever since she walked by an Ontario construction site while in high school, Williams knew that was where she wanted to be. She went to college for construction engineering, worked for a bit and then moved to Alberta. Williams started her western career as a co-ordinator for an oil refinery before finding her place in the construction industry as an estimator.
Subsequent to obtaining her degree, Munn-Price pursued a career in project management in the design and construction industry. She currently is working in a leadership role within the Project Management Office at the University of Alberta. “In my role at the university, I lead a team of project managers delivering a wide range of design and construction projects while still maintaining a strong work-life balance and a connection to my two young boys,” explains MunnPrice. “The university has allowed me the flexibility to balance my desire to raise and be home with my boys, as well as pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career.” Today, Munn-Price continues to be satisfied with her career choice. She identifies one of the highlights of her career as being able to find her own voice.
“While in college, I found estimating to be the most interesting by far,” she says. “After my short stint at the refinery, I moved into estimating and have been there ever since. I still love it.” Williams has been with Scott Builders for the last four years. “There are a lot of females at the company,” she says. “It’s not a 50/50 balance, but it’s a lot. Over the years, I have met quite a few female project managers, co-ordinators, and others in senior positions.” Williams also teaches an estimating course part-time at NAIT. “I would guess that, on average, about 25 per cent of the students that are in my class are female,” she says, “and they have all shown that they are 100 per cent committed to the course.” ABOVE: LINDSAY MUNN-PRICE, MANAGER OF CAPITAL PROJECTS, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, KNEW THAT SHE WANTED TO WORK IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FROM THE TIME SHE WAS A TEENAGER AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK DURING THE SUMMER DRIVING A 60-TON DUMP TRUCK AT A QUARRY IN CADOMIN.
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PAVING THE WAY // CONSTRUCTION
TODAY, MUNN-PRICE CONTINUES TO BE SATISFIED WITH HER CAREER CHOICE. SHE IDENTIFIES ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HER CAREER AS BEING ABLE TO FIND HER OWN VOICE.
Those to follow Having forged their way into the construction industry, these three leading women have helped pave the way for other women to follow. Each hopes that the road forward for the next generation will be a little bit smoother as a result. “Long after I made the decision to get involved in the construction industry, I found out that my grandmother actually worked as an estimator in the industry back in the 1960s,” says Williams. “She once had her tires slashed on a construction site as a way to let her know she wasn’t welcome. Things haven’t been that hard for me. I think I have been fortunate to work with some of the bigger, more forward-thinking companies over the years.” More openness has led to more acceptance across all areas of the industry. “Ten years ago, there was no conversation about women at Chandos,” says Hancock. “Today, we’re having that conversation. I have seen interest in our company to create more opportunity for better gender balance, but I think it is still a struggle for a lot of companies.” One of the solutions, adds Hancock, may be in spreading the word. “I would love to see women go out as a group to talk to young people about the opportunities available to them within the construction industry, to have women in work boots standing beside women in heels to show the breadth of diversity available within the construction industry,” she says. “I also think that industry needs to be more creative. We can look at the young people coming out of university with a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree and ask ourselves how we can fit these people into spaces within our companies?” Munn-Price believes further change will necessitate a multipronged approach. “I was exposed to a number of diverse opportunities through my family as I grew up,” she says. “I understood there were choices and I believe it was due to this understanding that I
became aware of the many opportunities that existed in the construction industry. I believe it is through awareness and education that opportunities for women in the workplace will continue to develop and flourish.”
Opportunities abound Despite experiencing some bumps in their career paths, women in the construction industry are continuing to push forward and attain senior positions. “I think there is absolutely no reason why women shouldn’t pursue a career in construction,” says Williams. “There are a lot of qualities that females can bring to a company. Companies need to realize that it’s good to have a balance of people at the table, especially in leadership roles.” Remaining committed and passionate about their roles is another quality that women seem to bring to the table. “Since I started, I don’t think there has been one moment where I looked back and questioned my decision,” says Hancock. “My job changes every year. I continue to be challenged and I am so grateful for that. I am so passionate about my job and I want to convey that passion throughout the industry and beyond.” Munn-Price echoes the same sentiment. “I wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision today,” says Munn-Price. “I have loved, and continue to love, what I do and would encourage women to seek out opportunity in this profession.” Although there may still be some work needed to help encourage others to follow in these women’s successful footsteps, the fact that all of them continue to genuinely love what they’re doing can’t help but further the cause. “The construction industry has so much depth to it,” concludes Hancock. “I think a lot of women, and people in general, don’t realize that there are so many facets to it. It’s like one big hidden secret.”
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP // COVER
Radhe and Krishna Gupta
Larry Andrews
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP BACKGROUND: ALBERTA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME IN MANULIFE PLACE DOWNTOWN EDMONTON. PHOTO SOURCE: REBECCA LIPPIATT
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CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP // COVER
BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON
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he Junior Achievement 2020 Alberta Business Hall of Fame Laureates and Innovator Award recipients being celebrated this year have helped to shape the province while proving that the resiliency of Alberta’s entrepreneurs always finds a way. The Alberta Business Hall of Fame was unveiled by JA’s Edmonton-based chapter in 1980 to credit company leadership and community stewardship of the highest merit. Selected by previous winners, becoming a Laureate is one of our business community’s highest distinctions. In addition to being inducted at JA’s annual Hall of Fame Celebration, the Laureates are recognized on the Alberta Business Hall of Fame Wall of Honour, on the second floor of Manulife Place in Edmonton, Alberta. JA’s Calgary-based chapter steers a Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame as well. This year’s Laureates are Radhe Gupta, founder & CEO, and Krishna Gupta, vice president – Rohit Group of Companies; Larry Andrews, CEO & owner – Landrex; and Blaine LaBonte, president – DJI Capital. Innovator award winners and Jobber co-founders, Sam Pillar, CEO and Forrest Zeisler, CTO, were featured in the May issue of Business in Edmonton Magazine.
Blaine LaBonte
Radhe and Krishna Gupta As Radhe and Krishna Gupta reflect on their careers, Radhe remembers the move to start his own company in 1990. After some initial success, 1994 and 1995 proved to be challenging years.
MEET THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT NORTHERN ALBERTA 2020 BUSINESS HALL OF FAME LAUREATES
“Business was slow,” says Radhe. “We were almost ready to close in 1996, but we worked together, hung on, and kept pushing forward. Now, over the last 20 years, we have achieved business revenues of over half a billion. A big highlight for me was 2002, when my son joined the company.” Krishna remembers, “I didn’t want to go into the business but when Radhe needed help, I got involved with
ABOVE LEFT: RADHE AND KRISHNA GUPTA PHOTO SOURCE: FRED KATZ
ABOVE CENTRE: LARRY ANDREWS PHOTO SOURCE: RAY WATKINS, RDUB PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOVE RIGHT: BLAINE LABONTE PHOTO SOURCE: LYNN STREETER PHOTOGRAPHY
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP // COVER
“I’m pleased they included Krishna,” says Radhe. “She is the backbone of the family and the business and has always been a support through tough times. I’m grateful to share this honour with her. “I have quietly just wanted to do my best job in my personal and business life, and support other people that want to do the right thing,” says Krishna. “I really appreciate this honour.” The Guptas look forward to enjoying their grandchildren, engaging in charitable pursuits, mentoring a flourishing team, and continuing to grow the business.
Larry Andrews operations and marketing. Soon, I fell in love with the business. The first time we won the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Home Builder of the Year award, I knew we were doing the right things.” Both find Edmonton to be a warm, welcoming, respectful business community with business and political leaders working together for a successful city. They call the capital city, “good for startups and small business,” with “opportunity to get into the industry like we did, one step at a time.” Rohit Group of Companies and the Guptas are known for their philanthropy. “It gives me pleasure to give to the community. I have always firmly believed that giving is the only way of getting. Give respect, get respect. It’s not free. All the things you give come back to you in one way or another,” says Radhe. “Giving is important,” Krishna agrees. “We should all leave the world a better place for tomorrow. We do this by donating and getting involved in the community. We teach our children and grandchildren to do the same. My grandson is only two and a half years old, yet already knows that sharing is caring.” Both felt surprised and honoured when they learned they were Business Hall of Fame Laureates.
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A highlight of Larry’s career is seeing mentors come into his life to offer guidance at the precise moment they were needed. “It’s been an interesting phenomenon,” he notes. He also has an appreciation for the tough economic conditions his companies have seen from time to time in
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CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP // COVER
Alberta, because he was always able to see those times as ripe for opportunity. “The National Energy Program in 1982 and those interest rates!” says Larry, “Back in those days nobody was bailing you out. The banks were exercising their security and taking people’s houses and assets. The 2008 crash, the current pandemic, it’s been an interesting time to have worked through all of this.” Larry graduated from the University of Alberta in 1971 and practiced law for a few years. His investments were profitable, and life was good. When the first economic crash came, he leased some property he owned to the government and sold other plots of land. “Along with downturns come opportunities,” he smiles, “Any crisis has danger in one hand and opportunity on the other. I just looked around, found things and found money when there were few things to find and little money to be made. I reinvested, scratched out an existence, and kept reinvesting.” This strategy was so successful that Larry retired at age 29 and took his wife, three children, and a governess to Maui. He soon learned that being a businessman, and an Albertan, was in his blood. He missed home and missed the thrill of business, so he returned after a year and went back to being a working entrepreneur. “Edmonton is my home,” he says warmly. “It’s one of the finest places in the world to live when you look at it in terms of security, economic opportunity, health and education. From a business standpoint there are plenty of opportunities here, even today – if you have the courage to pursue them. Right now we are fortunate that our provincial government has economic policies and infrastructure in place to create jobs.”
giving back became more and more important. We give back through investment and time.” He felt surprised, then honoured, to learn he was a JA Laureate, and he looks forward to the future, which includes continuing to work. “I have travelled a lot, lived a lot, and taken all the time off I want. I can work as hard or as little as I want, but I still enjoy the competitiveness of working. If anything, my company is looking at expanding. I will also mentor my team and adult children,” he concludes.
He’s pleased to give back to the community through the Andrews Family Trust. “In 1991 a woman came into my office and talked about supporting Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters,” he says of what sparked his passion for giving back. “At the time I didn’t see other developers investing in these ideas because being socially minded wasn’t seen as being profit-driven. I wanted to spark more awareness of the impact businesses can have on the social structure. As we became more aware,
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Blaine LaBonte Blaine is pleased that his legacy includes the family firm starting in Edmonton and growing into a global company. “Along the way, we created jobs and wealth for Alberta and Canada. Hopefully we were able to show some other Canadian businesses how to export and grow,” he says. “Now
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP // COVER
that the business is sold, we continue to mentor and invest in Alberta and in Canadian businesses and startups.” He praises the business landscape, saying, “The Edmonton business community has no pretense! I’ve yet to meet a successful entrepreneur from Edmonton who wasn’t willing to help others. Edmonton is small enough to keep a sense of community, but big enough to grow great people!” Giving back is very important for Blaine and his wife, Irene Mertz-LaBonte. The couple has been recognized for choosing NorQuest College to be the beneficiary of their life insurance policy, a gift that will provide a seven-figure sum to the college in the future. “NorQuest is one of those gems that only Alberta seems to have,” Blaine explains of the generous gift. “The role they play in the education system is vital. For our new Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and people getting back on their feet, NorQuest is usually the first post-secondary education they encounter. NorQuest welcomes them and prepares them for further success through language instruction, skills training, or getting ready for more education. The core problem is that demand is extremely high. NorQuest always has several thousand students who are not funded by the province. Provincial education budgets only cover about 75 per cent of their spend. We give to NorQuest to try and cover this gap, and keep the programs going.” Despite success in business and in the community, Blaine was shocked to hear he was a JA Laureate. “I felt completely gobsmacked,” he admits. “I didn’t know I had been nominated, so when a friend called me to tell me the news, the shock almost killed me! Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I feel so honoured. The other Laureates are incredible community builders, so I have a lot of expectations to live up to.” Now is a time of transition for Blaine. “I’ve been spending the last year or so understanding how my role in life has changed. Selling the family
business Is like seeing one of your kids leave home. I’m spending a lot of time working with organizations like the ThresholdImpact University of Alberta Venture Mentoring Service, Creative Destruction Lab, and volunteering for the Canadian military as an honorary colonel. I’m also an active angel investor, trying to create the next big business in Alberta. I’m trying to give back to our community, because it gave so much to me.”
Celebrate with Junior Achievement and this Year’s Laureates Junior Achievement Northern Alberta has been inspired to reenergize its 40 year gala legacy to showcase entrepreneurship and philanthropy in a new light to young adults and businesspeople alike. The new format adds more valuable networking opportunities and an occasion for even presidents and CEO’s to learn something new and be inspired. Select sponsors will get a two minute seat on the Inspiration Stage to deliver their own message of innovation, learning or inspiration, while guests take in cocktails and dinner safely spaced in an Alberta Health Services compliant program. The new Business Hall of Fame inductees then take centre stage to share the stories behind their drive and success while being honoured for their lifetime achievements and service to the community. The JA Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame Celebration will also function as a fundraiser to support JA’s programs that inspire and teach youth entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. Tickets, available at janorthalberta.org/ upcoming-events are: $3,900 for a table of 10, or $390 each. The event is scheduled for February 17, 2021, and subject to change if social distancing is still in effect. Learn more about the 2020 event, the JA Business Hall of Fame and JA Northern Alberta’s programs at janorthalberta.org.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 // CORPORATE HEALTH
NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 BY BETHANY NEUFELD
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etween business closures, adjusted hours, personal protective equipment (PPE) mandates and the neverending scramble to stay updated on public health orders, COVID-19 has been a source of stress for us all, to say the least. As the global health pandemic continues to turn our city on its head, local businesses fight to stay afloat all while juggling mental health and the wellbeing of employees. With the Government of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy entering Phase 2 back in mid-June, local businesses have found themselves running to keep up with health guidelines. Retraining staff to return to a COVID-19 business environment, increasing sanitation practices and accounting for lagging revenue are only a few of the barriers entrepreneurs find themselves up against. For many local businesses, reopening comes after three months of stagnation and with a number of new challenges in tow.
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Traci Bateman, co-founder of Bliss YogaSpa in Edmonton, is no stranger to running a clean ship; adjusting to COVID-19 prevention has caused little sweat for the local studio. “We are comfortable with the health guidelines. We had medical grade sanitation prior to COVID-19, so really we only had to add the PPE and a few client protocols,” Bateman says. The local spa and yoga studio has been adjusting to the “new normal” after being closed for three months. As a provider of wellness and personal services, the studio was given the green light to open in June with a number of restrictions in place. For staff returning to work, the studio they returned to was not the same one they had left three months earlier. “We have structured our treatment provider shifts to fulltime of 32 hours so as not to overwhelm them. Having to wear full PPE during treatments can be exhausting so
O
ur company is a family consulting firm that has been aligning companies with well-fitted group benefits plans for over 30 years. Unlike other firms, we are dedicated to remaining a hands-on operation with service that is comprehensive and personal. We work closely with you and your staff to ensure that any mystery and confusion surrounding group benefits is dispelled. We have forged solid and amicable relationships with all insurance companies. We know their policies inside and out, tweaking and tailoring them to fit your company’s needs. Beyond the technical, we think you will really like working with us! We love what we do, so much so that we take care of each plan, each contingency, each phone call, personally. You won’t be passed off, asked for your account number or have to dial an extension. We are at your service and always ready to help.
3175 Manulife Place 10180 - 101 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 3S4 Carl H. Shields – 780-415-5759 | carl@chsbenefitsconsulting.com Graham H. Shields – 780-415-5754 | graham@chsbenefitsconsulting.com Leslie Gauchier – 780-415-5769 | admin@chsbenefitsconsulting.com
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NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 // CORPORATE HEALTH
we have provided several areas, including our yoga studio, where we encourage them to take off their coverings and decompress,” Bateman says.
THE STUDIO HAS ALSO TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO SUPPORT
The studio has also taken a number of measures to support employees, including free streaming yoga classes to help staff unwind.
EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING FREE
While Bateman notes navigating COVID-19’s economic realities has not been without strain, they emphasize the importance of employers being there to support staff and creating opportunities for employees to have their issues heard.
STAFF UNWIND.
“Our door is always open and we are here to help with their issues inside and outside of work.” With businesses feeling the COVID-19 pinch, incorporating mental health and wellbeing practices and supports into the local economy is perhaps more imperative than ever before. Seeing a gap in community support for employers, The Storm Bison broke through the COVID-19 haze and stampeded into the region’s business scene. “Like so many others at the time, I realized how fearful things were getting and how alone I suddenly felt in my own business,” Holly Carmichael, president of TruWood Artisans
STREAMING YOGA CLASSES TO HELP
and founder of The Storm Bison says. “Where there was once collaboration and communication amongst businesses working together, suddenly there was silence from each other as well as from our clients. The silence was deafening. We decided early on that if ever there was a time to stay strong and band together for real and not waiver, it was now.” Focused on creating support networks for local businesses, The Storm Bison reached out to fellow business owners through an online video campaign. “Very quickly, business owners in the building and design community responded and we had a ‘herd’ of like-minded individuals to interpret the daily updates as a group,” Carmichael says. “Our name comes from the fact that bison,
ABOVE: BLISS YOGA SPA.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM
This year, we celebrate 50 years of providing safe and affordable housing to Edmontonians. We’re proud to be part of this vibrant city, contributing to the local economy, creating jobs, regenerating social and near-market housing and transforming communities. Here’s to the next 50 years.
www.crhc.ca
NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 // CORPORATE HEALTH
unlike many other animals who run from a storm, stand strong and face the storm head on in a group. This achieves two important things. They gain protection from the elements by staying together and the storm tends to pass quicker when you stand firm and let it pass, or better yet run through it as a group.” Like a true herd of the beloved prairie giants, The Storm Bison has developed a robust business network that not only invigorates entrepreneurial pursuits, but further supports mental health through solidarity. “We continued to encourage each other to stay the course, not give up, figure out what needed to be done in all aspects of our individual businesses, from marketing to creative ways of operating safely, to rebranding for some, to starting new collaborations within… and the list goes on.” Jesse Tookey, president of Storm Appliance Inc. and a member of The Storm Bison, has experienced the ripples of COVID-19 firsthand. The family-owned appliance distributer is among the many in the building industry up against unique challenges facing those unable to work from home. “Having technicians, artisans and trades working in homes can be differently stressful for homeowners than it was in the recent past. This can be mentally challenging for the in-home worker as well,” Tookey notes. “A sneeze used to mean there was dust or perhaps a pet allergy, now it can be a catalyst to a larger encounter if not managed properly.” Tookey notes supporting employees and ensuring staff feel safe goes a long way to reduce work-related anxiety. “Allowing our employees the necessary time and tools to work safely in the office and in the field has proven an effective way for us to alleviate employee stresses relating to COVID-19.” While the ongoing pandemic has certainly thrown a wrench in business operations, Tookey sees potential for improved industry standards surrounding the mental health of workers. The local entrepreneur expects COVID-19 to shake up business operations and improve communication between employers and employees. “This all has had a dramatic effect on how employers must treat required time off. In the long run, this will be a benefit
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to employees’ mental health as they will feel less sheepish to approach an employer about sickness in their household than they used to be.” Between adjusting working environments to safeguard against virus transmission and navigating mental health during a global health pandemic, there is no shortage of challenges for business owners. For The Storm Bison’s Holly Carmichael, having a reliable network to lean on is the key to not only surviving as an entrepreneur, but thriving as an individual. “In high times of stress, we business owners usually just continue to push through, regardless of what that means to health and wellbeing. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we as The Storm Bison members have learned that we can lean on one another. Having likeminded people in your corner to remind you it is not only okay to take a break sometimes but necessary for peace of mind and productivity has been an incredible experience,” Carmichael reflects. “Without your physical health you have nothing. Without mental peace of mind, you and your business suffer. We have all learned to focus on what matters and what can be accomplished when we band together.” Laughter, as it turns out, truly is the best medicine, according to Carmichael. While steering their businesses through COVID-19 economic realities is no easy feat, the group of entrepreneurs like to keep things light. “Although this has been an extremely difficult time for us all, the best thing we have found is to interject humour into our internal newsletters alongside of serious topics and keep things light wherever possible. We also have the occasional Zoom meeting or in-person meeting where we gather to catch up and share insightful things we have learned over the years, have after-work drinks and get a few laughs in,” Carmichael shares. “This has connected us far more in the end than the fear that first brought us together.” While COVID-19 hangs over the city, local entrepreneurs are paving the way forward with determination, compassion, and creativity. Where there is struggle there is opportunity for growth and as local business owners are showing us, COVID-19 is opening the door to long overdue discussions on workplace wellbeing.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP AND SUCCESS // RICK TIEDEMANN
The Relationship Between Sleep and Success BY RICK TIEDEMANN
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often hear business leaders say that they are too busy to sleep or that they will sleep when they are dead. The sad reality is that their “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” comment may actually come true sooner than they want, because they are not prioritizing sleep. The data clearly shows that those who experience sub-optimal sleep for an extended period of time are at a greater risk for heart attacks, strokes, cancer and all causes of mortality. Once we appreciate the fact that sleep is the “ultimate highperformance drug,” and the number one health prevention behaviour we can embrace, we can start to consciously modify our behaviours so we routinely enjoy reparative, restorative and performance enhancing sleep. When we sleep, our immune system recharges, our brain is cleansed of metabolic materials that can negatively impact on our cognition, our bones, muscles and blood vessels repair themselves, our experiences from the previous day are consolidated and our mood is rebalanced. All of these health benefits are essential if we, as business leaders, want to perform at our best on a sustained basis. While there are a few medical reasons why people suffer from fragmented sleep, many of the causes are actually behavioral, and therefore, we can get our sleep back if we want to. Some of the top sleep disruptors are alcohol, caffeine and technology. If you currently sleep like a champ (7.5+ hours of undisrupted sleep each night) you are golden, however if this is not your reality you should consider making changes. The magnitude of the change will be based on how fragmented your sleep is. Here are a few choices that I have made to help me to enjoy the best possible sleep.
1. No alcohol Sunday night through Thursday night as alcohol is a sedative and disrupts our deep sleep and causes us to experience restless sleep. Let’s be clear, that I am not saying no to alcohol, but rather I am saying yes to a healthier, higher performing version of Rick. 2. While I don’t drink coffee, many of you may want to cut or at least reduce your consumption of caffeine-based products as caffeine can cause suppression of the sleep hormone melatonin. 3. In terms of technology use (phones, computers, televisions, etc.) I turn these devices off around 8:00 pm. The blue light from these devices suppresses our melatonin and the content can be stimulating, annoying or down right aggravating. Getting ourselves jacked up after 8:00 pm does not lend itself well to good sleep. We want our bodies to go into a calming mode 1-1.5 hours before we want to be asleep so that we can fall asleep and stay asleep. As business leaders, we all want to be successful on many dimensions. As I have shared with you in past articles, creating abundance for ourselves, which includes optimizing our health, is hopefully one of your key benchmarks for success. Without good health the rest doesn’t really matter, and in order to enjoy optimal health, you need to prioritize your sleep. Napoleon once said, “Let him sleep… for when he wakes, he will move mountains.” A good night will lead to a great day. I wish you all, the best of health.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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The Edmonton Chamber is a powerful voice that achieves real results
2020 Board of Directors Board Executive
Chair: Bryan DeNeve Senior Vice President, Business Development and Commercial Services, Capital Power Vice Chair: Elan MacDonald Senior Vice President, National Client Development, Global Public Affairs Secretary-Treasurer: Craig Thorkelsson Head of Tax, PCL Constructors Inc. Past Chair: Dawn Harsch President and CEO, ExquisiCare Senior Living and Care at Home Janet M. Riopel President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Board Directors
Haydar Al Dahhan President and CEO, Design Works Engineering Nathan Carter Vice President, Operations Audit, ATCO Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory Jeffrey Sundquist Chief Executive Officer, EDC Environmental Group of Companies Inc. Dr. Jenelle Trenchuk-Saik President and CEO, Parker Ford and MacKay Specialty Opticians
Edmonton Chamber Executive
Scott Channon Director, Marketing and Communications Brent Francis Director, Advocacy and Outreach Christen Rumbles Director, Finance Amin Samji Director, Member Services Kevin Thomas Director, Operations
Contact
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 – 9990 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com
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By Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
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t the Edmonton Chamber, advocacy is at the centre of everything we do. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hammer businesses and families, we’ve redoubled our efforts to amplify the concerns of businesses across the Edmonton Metropolitan Region in order to positively influence government decisions. COVID-19 support programs We’ve been encouraged by the speed and flexibility governments have shown throughout the pandemic, with support programs that would normally take months to develop materializing in a matter of weeks. Governments are listening more closely than before to understand the impacts of the pandemic, and how best to respond to them. These are trends we hope continue well beyond the current crisis. When COVID-19 hit Edmonton, we reached out to every single Chamber member by phone or by email to better understand what was happening in their business. We launched a series of surveys measuring the impacts of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of government support programs, sharing the information with governments so they could understand what our business community was grappling with. We spoke with government officials on a near-daily basis to ensure we were sharing the experiences and perspectives of job-creators like you in a timely way that would result in speedy action. When we heard that the 10% federal wage subsidy wouldn’t be enough to help, we pushed hard for more support, and we were pleased to see the federal government create the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. When businesses said they needed help paying rent, we worked alongside industry stakeholders to push for a rental subsidy, leading to the creation of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. When we heard from businesses who were falling through the eligibility cracks, we pushed for a flexible assistance program, which led to the creation of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. At every turn, the information provided to us was essential in helping governments respond quickly and effectively. The entire Edmonton Chamber team has so appreciated you taking a few minutes to share your concerns and issues at a time when you are busy trying to navigate these difficult waters. Edmonton makes masks mandatory As businesses began to reopen to customers, we heard frustrations from many of you about how few customers were wearing masks. As a result, we embarked on a campaign urging Edmontonians to protect not only themselves, but to protect frontline service workers and our economic recovery by wearing masks in public.
SEPTEMBER 2020 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM
Service workers wear masks to protect their customers, and it’s only fair for customers do the same. It’s simply the right thing to do. Even a single confirmed COVID-19 case can have devastating impacts for a business, leading to mandatory isolation of their team members, or in the worst cases, forcing a business to close its doors all over again and send everyone home without work. As a result of our advocacy efforts, the City of Edmonton made face coverings mandatory on August 1st while providing businesses the flexibility to decide for themselves how best to enforce the use of masks. We strongly support this necessary step, as our muchneeded economic recovery can only progress if workers feel safe, businesses stay open, and people stay employed. Financial support for Edmonton In April, City Council decreased taxes on business. For many years we have urged City Council to reverse the trend of ever-increasing taxes on business, and we’re pleased to see it finally happen. This was the right move.
The City of Edmonton has faced incredible revenue shortfalls due deferred tax collection and greatly diminished user fee revenue coming from transit and recreation centres. To ensure that essential City services could continue, we urged governments to work together and provide a financial backstop for the City, leading to the announcement of $2 billion in federal support for municipalities. While we aren’t yet sure exactly how much Edmonton will receive, this is certainly a positive step forward to ensuring the continued viability of City services we all rely on. These are just a few of the recent government initiatives with a direct link to our advocacy efforts. As we continue to navigate the worst public health and economic crisis of our lifetime, we will use our powerful voice to highlight the incredible challenges business are facing and work closely with government officials to find the right solutions. We will continue to focus on bringing investment, and the eyes of the world, back to Alberta.
Wear a mask. It’s the right thing to do. Please wear a mask in public places; it not only protects you, it protects workers, businesses and the community.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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The Flag Shop Member Profile Phyllis Bright, President, The Flag Shop www.flagshop.com What’s your story? At The Flag Shop, we are a shop that sells more than just flags. The majority of our products are made in Canada and finished by our in-house sewing department. We strive to offer quality products with unparalleled knowledge, expertise and customer service. September brings exciting changes to our local store! Later this month, The Flag Shop Edmonton will transition to become The Flag Shop Alberta. Plus, our Calgary location is shifting to an online store which will be supported by our Edmonton store. Plus, we are preparing to move our location just west on Stony Plain Road. So not only it will be an exciting fall, but we will also be celebrating 30 years of The Flag Shop in Edmonton! What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce? The Edmonton Chamber provides our business a great amount of information – from notices of business focused events to their continual advocacy to all levels of government on behalf of Edmonton businesses. What is one thing people are surprised to learn about your business? People are surprised the we successfully exist as a business that sells flags. While it is a niche market, we have a range of products and are always available to support and help various segments of the community.
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Additionally, we can supply nearly any custom product – from tablecloths and street banners to corporate flags. Even flags from around the world! We also carry a full line of indoor and outdoor flagpoles – even those up to one hundred feet! Who is your ideal client? We pride ourselves on having high quality products that are made in Canada, for the enjoyment of all Canadians. Our ideal client is a person who wants to support a local business and enjoy a product that is made to last. What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it? In 1994, my husband and I purchased The Flag Shop Edmonton. Sadly, he passed away in 2008 – so I had to quickly learn how to manage the bookkeeping and the administration of the business. As a preschool teacher, I was certainly out of my element but I was able to learn the ropes quickly and persevere. Now, I am proud to be part of the business for over 26 years! What is your favourite thing to do in Edmonton? As a dog person, I love spending time with my dog. And looking ahead to the future, I look forward to spending time with my grandkids. If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be? While there is a movement to shop and support local, I hope for a greater emphasis on supporting local businesses and the local economy. By supporting a local business, you’re supporting the neighbourhoods, communities and families connected to them. It’s more important now more than ever!
We’ve safely got room for you and your guests. It’s what we do.
Situated in the heart of downtown, the World Trade Centre Edmonton offers comfortable and convenient meeting rooms, conference spaces and temporary offices, in a beautiful historical building. Whether it’s a small or large board meeting, a presentation or luncheon, or a temporary workspace, we’ve got you covered with enhanced sanitization procedures. Book today at 780.426.4620 or booking@edmontonchamber.com
edmontonchamber.com
THE NEED The number of people with dementia will double in the next generation. Dementia threatens to overwhelm our families, our healthcare system and our economy.
46,000
More than Albertans are living with dementia
To continue to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia, the Alzheimer Society needs funding. Over the years, the Alzheimer Society has become the leading resource for people living with dementia and their families.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 People with dementia are among the most vulnerable in our communities right now and are at greater risk of more serious outcomes from COVID-19.
BY 2038 An estimated 1 in 10 Albertans over 65 are expected to be living with dementia
Although some services and supports that people count on have been interrupted or discontinued during the pandemic, we have offered MORE support to those isolated in need. Our staff doubled down on telephone and email support and translated face-to-face services like support groups and education workshops to web-based programming. It is our hope to create even more connections, to help overcome the social isolation that we all are feeling.
THE IMMEDIATE NEED AND THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
56% of us are impacted by dementia
With an increased demand on our support services along with a decrease in fundraising revenue due to the devastating effects of COVID-19 we are in critical need of donations to allow us to continue to provide the level of care and support that individuals and their care partners living with dementia have come to expect.
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
50% of Canadians don’t believe they could live well with dementia
Based on the projected growth in demand, we conservatively estimate that we will need to raise a minimum of an additional 5% annually. This does not include any significant increase in our reach – community outreach, public awareness, communications and new client services – which could easily double or triple that cost.
HOW YOUR GIFT HELPS We are looking for Champions. If just 10 donors each committed $20,000 annually for the next three years, we would be able to provide more client service touch points, support and follow-up. More staffing to support individuals who are in crisis. With the help of donors, we are able to dream big and imagine a world where everyone affected by dementia gets the support and guidance they need. A multi-year commitment is important because it gives us revenue we can count on for longer-term program plans, while saving resources in annual fundraising costs. Here’s an example of how $20,000 helps 40 families living with dementia.
First Link® Connection
@$150/year
X40
$6,000
Attend support group for 12 months
@$120/yr
X40
$4,800
Ongoing Information, Education Support
@$120/yr
X40
$4,800
Seeds of Hope: Family Learning Series
@$45/person
X40
$5,400 $21,000
These are our costs of doing business. Our services are provided free of charge to anyone who needs them, because of donations from people like you.
HOW YOU CAN BECOME A CHAMPION AND HELP TODAY Any gift, large or small, allows us to continue this important work. Contact us to discuss ways you can become a Champion for people and their care partners living with dementia at giving@alzheimer.ab.ca Visit www.alzheimer.ab.ca to make an online donation. Call 780-488-2266 to donate over the telephone. Like, Subscribe, Share our message through social media – @dementiaab_nt on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Allendale Professional Centre - 306, 10430 61 Avenue, Edmonton, AB Tel: 780-488-2266 | Toll-free: 1-866-950-5465 | Fax: 780-488-3055 www.alzheimer.ab.ca
WE WORK
WHERE YOU WORK EPIC Photography Is aN ALBERTA BASED full service photo agency, SPECIALIZING IN advertising, editorial, portrait, sports, food or arts PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY. epicphotography.ca // @alwaysepicphotos
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS CONTINUE AT STANTEC TOWER S tantec Tower has become a stunning addition to the Edmonton City Skyline. At 69 stories, it boasts the title of the tallest building west of Toronto. The mixed-use building includes commercial office space to level 29, with Sky Residences residential condominiums occupying floors 30-66. The management for a mixed-use building this size is no small undertaking. Three separate management companies work closely together to manage the commercial office space, the residential space and the parkade as separate entities with shared mechanical and common spaces. Laura Sharen, senior property manager for Stantec Tower with Canderel Management (West) (formerly Humford Management) talks about the additions coming soon to the property. The biggest new addition being the 400+ person food hall that is currently under development.
The new food hall is located on level two of the podium. “Work commenced in the fall of 2019 and is a bit more involved than you would normally expect for a food hall,” says Sharen. “Construction includes a staircase that reaches from the second level down to the first level to provide access from the plaza to the food hall, as well as an additional elevator.” Sharen has been involved with the Stantec Tower Project since it was a hole in the ground. “It’s been really exciting to see it grow,” she says. “It started with just the first 69 stories out of the ground, including three floors of mechanical at the very top, and then tenants filled the building. The namesake, Stantec, was the first tenant to move into the building in 2018.” Currently, the building is at approximately 95 per cent capacity in the office and retail spaces, and Canderel Management (West) just announced the addition of a 15,250 square foot retail branch on the first BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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and second levels by Bank of Nova Scotia. Scotiabank has also leased two floors of office space in the tower. Since opening in 2018, the tower has hosted a number of events in its spectacular main lobby. Outside parties included events such as a reception for the JLL Real Estate Forum and numerous tenant events. Many events were scheduled to take place on site, and like events all over the country, they were either cancelled or postponed when the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in March 2020. “We had a party interested in hosting a fashion show on the outdoor patio on the fourth floor, overlooking the Plaza,” says Sharen. “It was put on hold because of COVID but we are hopeful we can work with the group in the future to make it happen.” The fourth-floor outdoor patio is designed as a gathering space. Features of the new building include state-of-the-art mechanical building systems and awe-inspiring architectural designs that one would expect, as it is the headquarters for the global design firm Stantec. Stantec Tower houses all Edmonton Stantec employees under one roof; the structure certainly is a testament to the firms’ architectural, engineering, sustainability, design and planning expertise, creating a space that is welcoming to international visitors and local residents alike. In addition to Stantec Consulting and Scotiabank, the building has attracted international law and accounting firms. “Tenants in the building benefit from the excellent working relationship between the Stantec Tower management team, Oilers Entertainment Group and Rogers Place arena and how they are normally able to offer tenant activations and tenant draws for events at the new arena,” says Sharen. “These benefits are momentarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pan-
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demic, but we’re excited to offer them again when it is safe to do so, and events are once again safe to continue in Edmonton.” As the project moves forward, the team continues to target LEED Gold Core and Shell certification, ensuring the building is truly a place that Edmonton corporate tenants, private homeowners and visitors alike will enjoy and appreciate for its beauty and sustainability measures for years to come.
I
SUSTAINABILITY PLAZA - BREAKING OUTSIDE THE BOX FOR DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
n recent years, Edmontonians have worked hard to show the world they are more than a blue-collar oil and gas city in the prairies. Recently the city has seen additions such as the Rogers Place arena and the surrounding ICE District and the Art Gallery of Alberta, with more plans to update areas such as the warehouse district downtown and the river valley with an inner-city gondola project. Revision to iconic city locations like the Stanley A. Milner Library round off some examples of the creativity and inspiration that has been infused into the city.
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“In the last 10 years or so, we’ve seen an embrace of design excellence in Edmonton, with public spaces and infrastructure getting a higher emphasis not just on the sustainability, but the aesthetics of it,” says Scott Cole, managing leader of community development with Stantec in Edmonton. When Beaverbrook Communities began planning the new southwest community The Hills of Charlesworth, they wanted to push the neighbourhood beyond new construction with green spaces like those you would find in a typical suburb in Edmonton. “They wanted to make a space that was
welcoming and beautiful and that elevated the levels of sustainability like no other neighbourhood in the city had done before,” says Cole. Enter the Stantec team. Beaverbrook challenged them to come up with something really sustainable. They wanted a hook – something that would make The Hills of Charlesworth stand out from other greenfield communities. Beaverbrook has a reputation as a firm with a track record of doing something progressive in terms of environmental stewardship and sustainability. The challenge to Stantec was to come up with a plaza and a public realm that would meet or exceed their already high expectations for sustainability and achieve design excellence. Once set to the task, Stantec Edmonton, particularly senior landscape architect Mark LaRue, came together for the collective effort, which included a lot of research. LaRue was the lead steward, working closely with Beaverbrook to come up with something that was truly unique to the city. Combining his previous experience from the U.S. and careful consideration of Edmonton’s colder climate, Stantec wanted to not only make sure the space was sustainable, but one that also encom-
NOW OPEN
at
Once set to the task, Stantec Edmonton, particularly senior landscape architect Mark LaRue, came together for the collective effort, which included a lot of research. LaRue was the lead steward, working closely with Beaverbrook to come up with something that was truly unique to the city. passed a four-season design. “Too often we see parks designed for just the summer months. We wanted Sustainability Plaza to be just as attractive in the winter and the colder seasons as it was in July and August,” says Cole. The team did not disappoint. The result was Sustainability Plaza, an eco-friendly recreation hub that checked all the boxes and more. “Oftentimes, Edmonton land development projects are not seen as sexy, resilient or sustainable in nature,” says Cole. Stantec broke out of that box with a project so impactful it won the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Inter-
Westpoint Centre
We’re proud to work with international brands like Seafood City, a Fillipino supermarket that blends grocery and restaurant concepts to provide a unique retail experience that connects communities within our city and beyond.
17540–100 Avenue
For more retail opportunities, see our entire portfolio at qualicocommercial.com
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
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national Award for Planning Excellence, beating out entries from China, Dubai, India and Australia. The driving force behind Sustainability Plaza was all about low impact on the environment and high impact within the community and the city at large. The accolades have propelled the park to the example the Stantec and Beaverbrook teams had hoped it would become. “We wanted to make something significant, and we want to make our community not just okay, but we want to make it excellent and want people to feel an immense sense of pride,” Cole says. “Stantec is really interested in creating communities and places that are worthy of peoples’ affection.” Sustainability Plaza has become a benchmark and a huge accomplishment for Stantec and Beaverbrook – it is now something designers and planners want to see more of as firms continue to do appropriate planning for the environment. The project has already been highlighted internally to Stantec’s more than 22,000 employees over its 350 locations on six continents. The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) International Award for
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The project has already been highlighted internally to Stantec’s more than 22,000 employees over its 350 locations on six continents. Planning Excellence has brought international recognition to Edmonton design and planning. It has inspired many local developers to approach Stantec and ask what else can be built, and how they can do something even better in other neighbourhoods. Cole says they have noticed an impact on other Stantec projects, with developers inquiring about the ice ribbon and the solar components, and how aspects from those ideas may be incorporated into their own projects. Stantec hopes this is just the beginning – that Sustainability Plaza will be used as inspiration for not only their own internal teams but also for designers and planners around the world, to push outside the box and create beautiful, sustainable spaces for all to enjoy.
HEALTHY LIVING: IT’S IN THE AIR R
ecent events have made businesses increase protocols to keep staff and tenants safe and healthy. With companies returning to some semblance of normal, building owners may be overwhelmed with the guidelines, regulations, and advice regarding how to best proceed. The team at Gateway Mechanical has provided some tips that will help keep the indoor air quality of our buildings healthy and safe. Cate Shaw, of Gateway Mechanical, explains that they are working to educate clients and the public about “air quality as a whole – including why it matters, what you need to know, and how to improve it.” Indoor air quality is a matter that is relevant to building owners and managers all over Edmonton, and Gateway Mechanical wants to help people focus on what eyes, nose and throat issues, which generally improve they can control in terms of healthy office spaces. once the person leaves the affected space. When First, it is best to determine if your building is viewing these connections, it is evident that improvhealthy, determining how “pollutants, temperature, huing poor indoor air quality will improve employee midity, and similar factors affect health, comfort and performance and productivity while reducing absenperformance,” describes Shaw. Using studies from sources such as The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, “Enterprise” and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and their comprehenisn’t just a catch phrase, it’s been our reason for existing since 2003. sive guide to indoor air quality a stable and (IAQ), poor air quality has been Ranchlands offers reliable traced back to nine root causes, your business some of which include dirty and environment damp ventilation systems, indoor contaminant sources, and poor fila managed, tration and air cleaning. out-sourced IT PARTNER Improving the air quality within the buildings will enhance occuprovides value to your company with pant health and experience for more than just a safety measure against virus pandemics. It can help reduce issues impacting asthto provide an affordable, more ma and allergies of occupants. reliable, and approach Due to our climate, the average person in North America spends 90 per cent of their time indoors, so we must reduce the negative impacts presented while indoors. ensuring your systems are available Poor ventilation, significant to you when you need them amounts of indoor pollution and less than ideal temperatures can managing access and backups of your lead to Sick Building Syndrome data (SBS) symptoms. Symptoms Phone: 780.809.2999 can include fatigue, headaches, breathing problems, irritated skin, structured cabling equipment sales & installs Managed Services BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // SEPTEMBER 2020
45
teeism and turnover. One good thing to come out of the pandemic is an increased awareness and inspection of building services and healthy living practices. Many businesses are taking advantage of emptier office spaces to complete updates and improve health and safety measures. As any business owner knows, salaries are the highest cost for any business. In strictly economic terms, therefore improved indoor air quality that aids employee wellness and reduces absenteeism will be the most substantial return on investment from any improvements made. Going beyond salaries, employers will benefit from increased production and save on decreased health care claims. Many new buildings are sprouting up all over Edmonton these days, and Shaw reminds new business owners to be aware of all the smells that result from new finishes and furnishings. The off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can also significantly affect health and productivity. The weatherizing of new buildings to make them airtight improves effi-
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ciency but produces its own potential problems if not considered and addressed appropriately. To control air pollutants and increase air quality, it is best to put your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to work for you. These systems can mitigate and potentially eliminate many common air pollutants (such as COVID-19) and improve air quality. Disinfection systems such as plasma and UV effectively catch and neutralize viruses within the buildings’ HVAC system. Disinfection significantly reduces potential exposure and improves indoor air quality for yourself and your occupants. The two options can be combined to increase the effectiveness, and it is best to talk to your local HVAC representative to discuss the best options for your building. If you’d like more information about air quality and how to improve it, Gateway Mechanical has compiled an extensive information package that will help you learn more about air quality and its impacts on your business. You can visit it here: https://gatewaymechanical.ca/indoor-air-quality-guide.
Bob, Pam, Yvon, Jason, Leo, Jim and Ben. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt
CENTR AL PAINTING (INC.) Innovates the One-Stop Coating Solution By Nerissa McNaughton
C
entral Painting is one of Canada’s leading painting and floor coating contractors for commercial and industrial projects. Commitment to real timelines and real solutions has ensured excellence in floor to celling painting and sealing since 1990. Founder David Graham found his passion for painting when working with College Pro Painters during his university days. After finishing his degree, he put his painting experience and construction background to work, opening Central Painting’s head office in Barrie, Ontario and growing the brand into Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Calgary and London/Cambridge. Graham, and his Alberta operations team, Jim Divall, Scott Gribbon, and Ben Anderson discuss how Central Painting is changing, and challenging, the commercial painting market. “Our quality control program sets us apart,” says Graham. “Anybody can expect a paint job, so we go above and beyond.
We work with our clients’ needs, be it a weekend, reduced schedule, a colour change, etc. We always strive to work closely with our clients so we can deliver upon their expectations.” Gribbon adds, “Central Painting’s strength is internal and external relationships. Relationships are key to everything. That and innovation, which is another passion of the company.” Divall agrees, saying, “We treat our people very well. We are there when they need us, and they are there when we need them. We look after our staff and clients.” “We are also known for our quality, high-end painting and craftsmanship,” Anderson adds to the list. While many think of Central Painting as “just a painting company,” the actual scope of services – and innovation – is very broad. Central Painting developed a low temperature paint that can be applied outdoors, even in -30°C. The
Central Painting celebrates 25 years
47
Congratulations Central Painting on 25 years!
12225-118 Ave NW, Edmonton Alberta 780-426-4848 382 St Albert Road, St Albert Alberta 780-460-7708
www.paintedmonton.com
Proudly Serving Edmonton and Area since 1955
A project completed inside ICE District Tower A.
company also does parking lot lines, has a full fireproofing division, and coats floors through its sister company Industrial Floor Systems. Graham launched Industrial Floor Systems in 2005 to meet the groing demand for floor coatings and polished concrete. “Everyone in this company is dedicated to customer service. To that, we have implemented a number of software programs to keep our clients informed of our processes and safety practices,” says Graham. “Yes, we are a contractor, but we are a service company and for us, it always comes down to providing great customer service.”
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S
Central Painting on 25 YEARS in business from your friends at Dulux Paints
Some of Central Painting’s notable jobs in Alberta include numerous stores across the Loblaws brand; the AGLC building, which was completed in 18 months; Champion Petfoods’ new headquarters, which was completed under the very tight deadline of six months; and the JW Marriot in ICE District. Although each project has its challenges such as weather delays, working in an occupied building and tight deadlines, Central Painting always aims to deliver on time and on budget, while ensuring customer satisfaction. “A lot of times a client will need a project completed in a matter of weeks,” says Graham. “We never say no. We don’t always know how we are going to accomplish the job at the time, but we always do! We simply don’t say no to our clients.” Divall points out the role of teamwork in the company’s success, saying, “From province to province we are all team players and we rely on communication to ensure consistent training and customer service across the brand. Clients know that with us, they can get the same experience in Edmonton as they can in Vancouver, or Barrie.” Part of being a business leader is supporting the community, which, for Central Painting, is a natural part of its brand identity. The leadership and team members support numerous causes including hosting a charity golf tournament annually; partnering with fundraising drives from industry partners such as Home Depot, and Loblaws; donating services in kind, and supporting the MS Run. Recently Central Painting received a Top Job Award from American Painting Contractors (lead on the project was Sean Hamill) and while they are happy to receive industry
Central Painting celebrates 25 years
Edmonton’s Century Casino is one of many local projects for Central Painting.
recognition from their peers, Central Painting is most proud of being an inclusive, safe and innovative workplace, an industry leader and a reliable contractor for its valued clients. Graham concludes, “Central Painting averaged 15 per cent compound growth annually over the last few years. During COVID 19, we have taken the opportunity to upgrade our systems and processes, so we are poised and ready to step into the post COVID world. Central Painting’s goal is to be our clients’ one-stop-shop for all their coatings needs, regardless of whether that is a floor, ceiling, wall or even roof or fireproofing coatings.” The leadership team believes that Central Painting’s success has been facilitated by a strong and dedicated team coast to
A Colorful Congratulations. Sherwin-Williams celebrates Central Painting on their 25th anniversary.
coast who have made these past 25 years possible. Central Painting would like to express gratitude to all employees for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. The company would also like to thank their loyal clients for the opportunities they have provided for the past quarter century.
17872 106th Avenue, Unit 101 Edmonton, AB (780) 628-1850 | sales@centralpainting.com www.centralpainting.com
SW 6840 Exuberant Pink
SW 6689 Overjoy
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©2020 The Sherwin-Williams Company 13998-01_BusinessEdmonton-SponsorshipAd-key2.indd 1
Central Painting celebrates 25 years
8/13/20 1:24 PM
Back row; Fred Dunn, Jay Stephano, Neil Stone, Garrett Huntley, Lance Simonin, Kevin Duffy, David Court, Jordan Simnovic and Ryan Campbell. Front row; Crystal Cure, Derek Stainer, Alex Hefford, Danielle Thompson, Kris Sloan, Chris Henderson and Tyler Feist. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt
A Peek Over
the Edge
Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. celebrates 30 years by revealing the mindset behind their employee-first company and ground-breaking projects. By Nerissa McNaughton
K
ris Sloan had nothing to lose, the day his boss, Peter Mulder, called him into an emergency meeting to tell him the business was in jeopardy. That was the day Sloan started his journey from employee to owner – and discovered that landscaping was about far more than meets the eye. It all began in 1990 when Mulder rented a truck, borrowed a lawnmower and, with a friend, started mowing lawns as a business. Within 10 years Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. had
experienced consistent growth. Sloan joined Cutting Edge in 2007. At that time, the company had approximately 50 staff in the summer and 15 in the winter. The opportunity to work at Cutting Edge came at the right time for Sloan. The years prior to his joining the team were challenging. He had hit rock bottom and had zero direction and even less hope. Through the ups and downs of life, Sloan managed to graduate from the Telecommunications Engineering Program at NAIT in 2001, but after two years in the industry, he knew he had not found his true calling ‌ yet. Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. || 30 Years
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Things took an unexpected turn in 2013. It happened on Halloween. Sloan had been out trick or treating with his children when he got an urgent call from Mulder to “come in right now.” Mulder’s equity partners had abandoned the company. The two men sat across the boardroom table for hours, trying to figure out the next steps. Mulder was leaning towards shutting down Cutting Edge. Sloan, after summoning courage he didn’t know he had, countered with, “Give me one year as operations manager and see what I can do. The assets will still have similar value after one more season, what have you got to lose?” Much to Sloan’s surprise, Mulder agreed. Cutting Edge’s sales increased by 20 per cent in the first year of Sloan’s direction. By 2017 Cutting Edge had tripled in size from when Sloan had taken the helm, employed over 100 people in the summer, and created a program to keep almost 50 people employed over the winter. It was at this point that Sloan began to look for the next step: 100 per cent ownership. Sloan had zero capital and even less experience in business ownership. What he did have was a decade of construction experience, a healthy risk appetite, and a faith-over-fear attitude. “I became the owner,” says Sloan, “with the help of RoyNat Capital who gave me a loan. RoyNat Capital saw something in me and the company and facilitated the acquisition.”
Neil Stone and Kris Sloan. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt. Sloan began as a labourer/equipment operator and through his tenure, has held almost every position in the company. “I’ve worn every hat,” he smiles. “This gives me a unique perspective on what my staff go through. I balance a deep sense of empathy for what they work through on a daily basis with a new understanding of what it costs to run a multimillion dollar business. I am still learning how to make the hard decisions. I’m young in my entrepreneurial journey but I’m a quick study and I ask a lot of questions.” Cutting Edge’s work is seen all over the city in land development, commercial and residential projects. The company is known for its long-term innovative designs, such as the Tweddle Place Dry Pond Expansion, located along 91 Street, south of the Whitemud.
Cutting Edge fleet from 2015, their current fleet has doubled in size.
“This two-year project includes over a kilometre of vegetated sound barrier structure,” explains Sloan. “It’s an alternative to concrete and wood sound attenuation walls. By incorporating more than 60,000 willow whips harvested from around Edmonton, the sound barrier will continue to grow and
envelop the structure. Based on the success of this project we look forward to providing this as an alternative to concrete sound barriers across Western Canada.” Cutting Edge thanks Stantec, Weinrich Contracting, and EPCOR for their partnership in this project.
Congratulations to Cutting Edge Landscaping on your 30 year anniversary. We wish you many more years of continued success.
Mike McGinnis 780-722-3398 | mike@mwcrane.ca Wade Pytel 587-990-5057 | wade@mwcrane.ca
www.mwcrane.ca Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. || 30 Years || 3
The first wildlife crossing established in the City of Edmonton.
CONGRATS ON YOUR 30TH! We wish you many more years of continued success.
getmosaic.ca
A current project that the team at Cutting Edge is excited about is Re-Imagine Jasper Ave. Working for PCL and the City of Edmonton, Cutting Edge is installing four blocks of Silva Cells (provided by DeepRoot Green Infrastructure, LLC). Silva Cells, also known as soil cells, are one of the newest technologies to hit the construction industry and Cutting Edge has been an early adopter of this method. “The cells are small plastic tables stacked underground and filled with uncompacted soil,” Sloan explains. “the Silva Cell is a modular suspended pavement system that uses soil volumes to support large tree growth and provide powerful on-site stormwater management through absorption, evapotranspiration, and interception.” He pauses, then grins with boyish excitement, “We paint this city green! We take dry, dirty, and grey and make living art that will be sustainable for generations.” Sloan continues, “Our industry works so hard. It is physically demanding work and it must come from a place of pride. People are quick to glance over what a landscaper does, and the impact landscaping creates, but just walk out your front door and look around. Trees. Storm water management ponds. Soccer fields. The green spaces along the bike path you are riding on. It starts with your engineers, architects and underground guys, but the landscaper brings the visions to life!” In addition to city, commercial, industrial, and developer projects, Cutting Edge still does some residential work, especially for repeat clients that have deep roots with Cutting Edge since the early days.
The new Beaumont Community Centre, the CCBCC, and the tallest gravity wall built in Beaumont at the time of completion.
“I learn as much, probably more, from my staff everyday, as they glean from me.” Sloan says proudly. He attributes much of the company’s success to their commitment and dedication. “Some of my best workers have not come from a landscaping background. Neither did I. If you have a good work ethic and commitment to quality and detail, I can teach the rest,” Sloan says. “Landscaping has a stereotype in the construction industry that it’s for summer students and transient workers. That stereotype became one of my focused initiatives to
change. We began bidding on more snow removal contracts even though the margins in snow removal are horribly low, which means we operate at a significant loss during the winter, but that keeps our team employed. Having a committed team being part of our journey and culture – how do you put a price on that? Watching my staff grow is as important as being profitable. Here is a work culture of self awareness, empathy, communication, and support. I think we are beginning to challenge the status quo of landscaping and landscape construction. I really hope our commitment to professionalism, safety, systems, processes and above all, the commitment to our community and to our clients, changes the industry.” For Sloan and his team, giving back is paramount. They are proud to support non-profit organizations such as Wellspring Edmonton and Ronald McDonald House with donated labour, yard maintenance and landscaping. Cutting Edge also supports numerous minor league teams and is a contributor to Habitat for Humanity. The company is thankful for its industry partners who help provide Cutting Edge with opportunities to give back, and the partners who donate products to their charitable projects.
CONGRATULATIONS CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPING ON 30 YEARS! At APP & Associates LLP, our objective is to provide value added business advisory services including: • Accounting and Assurance • Tax and Estate Planning • Advisory and Consulting
Suite 212, 1524 – 91 Street S.W. Edmonton, AB T6X 1M5 Telephone: (780)489-4424 • Facsimile: (780)489-4420 info@appllp.ca • www.appllp.ca Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. || 30 Years || 5
The Re-Imagine Jasper Avenue Project featuring Soil cells.
Just a few of these partners include BURNCO Landscape Centre, Manderley, and Cheyenne Tree Farms.
Stantec, Rohit Communities, Brookfield Residential, Hopewell Residential, and PCL, among others.
Sloan, on behalf of Cutting Edge, also thanks Qualico Communities who took a risk on the company 12 years ago and has become an industry partner. Other partnerships include WCL, York Realty, Canbian Construction, WSP,
“We hope our partners have all sensed our commitment to landscaping and our commitment to valuing our people,” says Sloan. “Cutting Edge has wonderful peripheral support be it accountants, lawyers or consultants, and we have many 30-
Storm Water Management Facility in Cy Becker.
year relationships with multiple vendors. It’s a small industry so supporting each other is a key to sustainability.” On a personal note, he expresses boundless gratitude for his staff, especially his operations manager Neil Stone and his office manager Crystal Cure; those that supported him when he made the leap from employee to owner; Mulder for his years of guidance; and the patience and support of his wife Maxine and his three children Nolan, Kaden, and Mackenzie. Sloan concludes, “Cutting Edge has a history that is rich, deep and filled with hard work, grit, growth, some dumb luck, and really great people. I want Cutting Edge to be here to continue to change lives. I want Cutting Edge to have a lasting impact on our communities and be a source of pride for generations to come. I want Cutting Edge to be an innovator in our space. I want to see some of our current staff become future owners. I am grateful, and some days still shocked, that I have an opportunity to create my own legacy.
“We are far from perfect and we would never profess to be, however, as we make mistakes and continue to grow, we will always strive to be better each day as a company, a community, and as people. Recognizing who we are, admitting to where we are at, and agreeing that who we will be tomorrow is better than who we were yesterday, is our greatest strength. It’s about progress, not perfection.”
Learn more about Cutting Edge Landscaping at www.cuttingedgelandscapes.com.
CONGRATULATIONS CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPING ON YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY!
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Cutting Edge Landscaping on your th 30 Anniversary!
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Congratulations Cutting Edge Landscaping on 30 years of Business Excellence! We wish you many more years of continued success.
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Congratulations Cutting Edge Landscaping on your 30th Anniversary! 7240 - 82 Avenue NW Edmonton AB T6B 0G1 direct: 1-780-784-2080 | 1-844-633-4574 | www.lavorogroup.ca
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Congratulations to Cutting Edge Landscaping and their team on 30 years of outstanding service and client satisfaction. 5035 99 Street, Edmonton, T6E 4Y1 • Phone: 780-435-4641 • integratire.com Cutting Edge Landscaping Ltd. || 30 Years || 8
Congratulations to Cutting Edge Landscaping on 30 successful years. 2800 Scotia Place 10060 Jasper Ave www.dcllp.com
Kyle Hudson, Kirk Hudson and Lloyd Cunningham. Photo by Riverwood Photography.
WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. CARRYING THE LOAD SINCE 1970 by Rennay Craats 65
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Calgary Branch. Back to front, left to right; Garth Seibel, Doug Evans, Robin Hiltz, Jim Grant, Adrian Tudhope, Shane Veronelly, Darrell Dockendorff, Johny Jumo, Dale Leonhardt, Dwayne Kondrat Jing Han, Marie Hynds, Mike Shigehiro, Jeff Kam, Rob Konowalchuk, Jared Young, Jordan Babott, Ed Thompson, Scott Elsby, Nathan Tait, Ron Weyman, Wayne Dewar, Jen Tattersall, Martin Hexspoor, Michelle Pinches, Bryan Evans, Kyle Hudson, Lloyd Cunningham, Kirk Hudson and Jivan Nijjer. Photo by Riverwood Photography Inc.
O
ver the past half century, so much has changed in business and the world. Through all the economic ups and downs, Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit has remained strong and businesses continue to persevere and prosper. Since Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. opened its doors in 1970 as the newest forklift dealership in town, there have been seven downturns and one catastrophic health crisis. This locally owned family business has ridden out each of these storms through diversification, nimble decision making, business planning and a little bit of humour to emerge stronger on the other side. “If we’re not having a downturn I get nervous. Things are going well? What do I do?” quips retired former owner Kirk Hudson. “I had a managers’ meeting years ago and everybody was saying how their branches were doing. And I asked one and he said ‘everything is going so great here’. I had one word for him: duck.” Western Materials has managed to successfully duck to avoid the fate of many other Alberta companies over the decades, and the early philosophy instilled by the founders has positioned it to prosper and grow in the next 50 years.
HISTORY OF WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. Lee Miller started the company in November 1970 after attending a trade show in Seattle. Toyota’s line of forklifts had just come into the United States and their booth was advertising for dealers. The requirement for consideration was a company name and facility. Miller pulled the name Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. out of the air, got an address for the application, and was suddenly a Toyota dealer for Calgary. It has been an amazing, enduring partnership that both sides are proud of. “We are honored to have been partners with Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. for 50 years. They were the first Toyota forklift dealership in Canada when they opened their doors in 1970 and they have been outstanding representatives of the Toyota brand and everything it represents ever since. We’d like to congratulate Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. on this significant milestone and we look forward to continuing to build on our great partnership for many years to come,” says Jeff Rufener, President & CEO, Toyota Material Handling. WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 2
s n o i t a l u
t a r g n o C
WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING LTD. on 50 Years! We wish you many more years of continued success. From your friends at Chelsea Investments Inc.
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Edmonton Branch. Back to front, left to right; Carolyn Van Elst, Joanne Buhler, David Kowalski, Tony Langedahl John DeJordy, Bruce Graham, Lindy Lavoie, Fadi Naboulsi, Chris McIvor, Richard Armella, Draper Ecklund, Jaymie Haison, Jon Sekulich, Darren Hefford, Ben Beyer, Zenda Medeiros, Kris Higgins, Murray Wentland, George Dawes, Randy Payou, Steve Seibel, Kyle Wilson, Wes Clarkson and Murray Northcott. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.
Miller soon added a branch office in Edmonton and in the years that followed expanded to Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Red Deer. A few years into Western Materials’ tenure Miller brought Keith Barbour on as a partner to help grow the company. In 1974 Lloyd Cunningham joined the company as a mechanic and Kirk Hudson came onboard in the same capacity the following year. By 1979, Lee Miller was ready to move on and offered up his shares of the company, so Barbour, Hudson and two others bought him out to become a four-man ownership team. Within five years, Hudson and Barbour shared ownership of the company and then in 1994 Barbour retired making Kirk Hudson the sole owner of Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Some health issues in 1996 caused Kirk to begin looking at ways to pull back from the company. After trying out a few different options he decided to form a management team to run the day-to-day operations at WestMat, with all but one member being promoted from within the company. He appointed Lloyd Cunningham as president to lead the company forward. “I formed the management team and people asked how many days a week I’d be coming in and I said ‘None. It’s yours. Run it,’ and I’m telling you, they did an unbelievable job,” Kirk says. Kirk’s son Kyle has also done an unbelievable job in the company. He started out working summers as a student, first in the parts department and then in the shop as a gofer and shop hand. After spending a few summers exploring other interests while earning his Bachelor of Commerce, Finance degree from McMaster University, Kyle joined the Western Materials team fulltime in 2007. “I just started learning the business from the bottom up,” says Kyle Hudson, Chief Operating Officer for Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Kyle started in the company’s rental department and then in 2009 he took on the role of service manager, all the while juggling the needs of the company’s six diverse locations. Over the next five years, he accepted mentorship from the number of employees with incredible longevity in the company, especially Lloyd Cunningham who by that time had 40 years of experience with WestMat. WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 4
Toyota Material Handling thanks and congratulates Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. for 50 years of helping the Alberta supply chain carry the load! We are proud to have been your partner throughout the entire journey and look forward to another half century of partnering together.
WestMat.com
ToyotaForklift.com
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Medicine Hat Branch. Mike Jesse, Tammy Campbell, Rob Vollman and Darryl Lepine.
“I decided in 2015, that it was time to make the move and transition into ownership, and here we are today,” says Kyle.
THE COMPANY TODAY Since day one, Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. has been a Toyota forklift dealer and has the honour of being the first independent Toyota dealer in the country. This flagship partnership helped launch the business and establish the reputation for high standards and quality that WestMat enjoys to this day. It is also the only authorized dealer for scissor lifts manufactured by Aichi, a Toyota Industries company. However, early on the executive team saw a need for equipment beyond the yards and warehouses around the city and continued to push the company for solutions to grow. The company dabbled in some other lines of equipment to diversify its offerings. Lee Miller and Keith Barbour built their own line of rough terrain forklifts for purchase and rent called Miller-Barbour until the endeavour became uneconomical about six years after launching. Changes in the market in the early- to mid-1980s meant they had to start purchasing the Ford powertrains they used in the units from the United States, bringing with it high prices and all-time low exchange rates for Canadian dollars. WestMat discontinued their Miller-Barbour line and looked outward for a replacement. The forklift dealers had developed a relationship with Ontario-based manufacturer Load Lifter Manufacturing and in 1988 began carrying its quality rough terrain products. Representing this manufacturer meant WestMat’s clients had access to its wide range of products boasting capacities between 4,000 and 30,000 pounds and lift heights from 8 to 42 feet. These four-wheel-drive forklifts are perfect for operating in Canada’s inclement weather, performing well in snow and mud to guarantee great results every time. These superior product offerings, including compact and mid-range telescopic handlers, complemented WestMat’s existing products and provided a more versatile selection for clients. In the early 2000s, the company further expanded its product line with the introduction of Kalmar’s high capacity lift trucks and container handlers. Kalmar has some of the largest WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 6
CONGRATULATIONS
WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD.
ON 50 GREAT YEARS!
Construction Tires, Tracks, Forklift Tires and AG Track Distributor Serving Western Canada TC Industrial Tire Ltd Calgary Phone: 403.279.5559 | Edmonton: 780.414.0585 | Saskatoon: 306.954.3485 Email: info@tcindustrialtire.com | Web: tcindustrialtire.com
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WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 7
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Red Deer Branch. Ray Young, Rob Lorenson, Keegan Bednard, Cheryl Berenik and Josh Sinnamon.
industrial reach stackers on the market and is uniquely suited to meet some very specific needs. With Kalmar, Western Materials could offer clients large capacity forklifts up to 125,000 pounds and put huge equipment including 286,000-pound capacity industrial reach stackers and enormous container handlers at customers’ fingertips. These long-term relationships with the best manufacturers in the world have allowed WestMat to grow and expand with the confidence of its customer base while enjoying win-win relationships with the manufacturing partners. The company has exclusive dealership rights for Toyota, Load Lifter and Kalmar throughout the province, and the products of all three complement rather than compete with each other. “One of the things that my dad always said and that I’ve adopted is we want to represent the top quality one or two products in their market, products that we can stand behind and proudly put our names behind,” says Kyle.
WHAT’S BEHIND THE NAME The forklift dealer offers the gamut of services to its diverse clientele. The various arms of the company combine to meet any need WestMat’s customers have. The diversity of the products on offer at the dealer is rivalled only by the diverse nature of its clients. The company supports everything from distribution or manufacturing facilities to heavy oil and gas companies; lumber outfits to companies in the food industry; bottle depots to retail operations. Each company has specialized needs and Western Materials strives to ensure that their customers’ needs are covered. “I don’t think there is an industry that we can’t provide equipment for,” says Kirk Hudson. The products can all be tailored to clients’ needs too, especially given Toyota’s high levels of customization. Around 85 per cent of equipment rolling off Toyota’s line includes an option, large or small, that makes it unique to the one before and after it, whether that is the inclusion of a special light or built-to-order specs to handle customers’ toughest lifting applications. Because equipment is so unique, the team attempts to visit each client before ordering to ensure the piece will work for their space as well as their needs. It’s WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 8
Toyota Commercial Finance Canada would like to congratulate Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. on its 50th anniversary as the premier materials handling solutions provider in Alberta. Together we lift businesses to new heights.
To learn more about our services and our outstanding business partners please visit www.toyotacf.ca or write to us at info@toyotacf.ca.
Congratulations
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. on 50 years of delivering progressive material handling solutions to the Alberta market!
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS…
Driving innovative lead & lithium power solutions for electric lift trucks eastpenncanada.com WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 9
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Grande Prairie Branch. Brian Bartsch, Bryan Cline, Tom Stern, James Nicholson and Chad Manning.
key to ensure that customers are ordering the right equipment for the job. WestMat also offers group/individual in-class, practical and online operator training to help safety administrators better manage their own safety programs. To meet clients’ varied needs and specifications, Western has an impressive selection of new equipment available including a wide array of jacks and stackers, aerial lifts, tow tractors, telehandlers, forklifts and container handlers. Customers who prefer to buy used equipment represent a large part of the business, and Western Materials is proud to offer a variety of previously owned products for purchase ranging from pneumatic forklifts to aerial man lifts to indoor/outdoor forklifts. “Capital equipment is something that some businesses need to own, and others really don’t want it so they want to find other ways to finance things. Whether we’re using third-party lease companies or facilitating it internally to help customers out we want to be as flexible as we can from a purchase and payment standpoint,” says Kyle. On the service side, WestMat has a skilled team of field technicians that can be deployed to customer sites to service equipment in situ. The company has 35 service vans on the road in the province and a welding unit in Calgary to perform any loading dock related work. The company also supports customers through its parts department, which gives customers access to accessories and various forklift parts so that they can fix or refresh their own equipment. For customers who don’t want or need to invest in a permanent piece of equipment, Western Materials has a comprehensive rental fleet that accommodates the individual needs of clients with options for short-term or long-term rentals, various lease style options, and rent-to-own contracts. With around 440 units, the company has the largest forklift/equipment rental fleet in Alberta. Having so many options for clients’ forklift needs represents just another way in which Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. is dedicated to serving customers well. As a long-time second-generation Alberta business, Western Materials has a legacy of customer satisfaction and a reputation for quality products and service. It is what the company was built upon in the 1970s and it is important to the entire team to carry on that dedication into the next generation. WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 10
“We are Alberta based and we focus on Alberta businesses. Alberta is a unique province in the country and we feel that we understand the customer base here very well and we represent it very well. The fact that it’s a second-generation family business is something that we are extremely proud of,” says Kyle. The fact that Western Materials has the staying power it does lends even more credibility to the business. It gives clients confidence in their dealings with the company knowing that the company, not to mention many of the staff, has been there for decades and isn’t going anywhere. The team stands behind their word and their work to ensure customers are happy and eager to return.
STANDING OUT IN A CROWD For Western Materials it is the subtle things that make a huge impact. The company is part of Toyota’s ASEC (After Sales Service Evaluation and Certification) program in Edmonton and Calgary, with Lethbridge soon to be certified as well. This program helps improve the already robust COR-certified safety program by introducing a high level of organization and cleanliness in the shops along with a standard of professionalism and efficiency. “This is something that separates us from our competition, and will continue to do that,” says Kyle Hudson. “Everything is labelled, there is a place for everything, and it’s extremely well organized. It’s something I’m pretty proud of.” These standards are a lot of work to attain and even more to maintain, and the Western Materials staff is committed to continually improving productivity, efficiency, and service for its customers. It’s this dedication to the company that makes the staff the most valuable asset at WestMat. Management has created a great culture for staff by treating them with respect and fairness, fostering an environment of fun and providing them with opportunities to grow and advance at their jobs. Western Materials builds
WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 11
Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. Lethbridge Branch. Justin Saruwatari, Mark Ingold, Susan Porter and Hein Janse van Rensburg.
on the strengths of its people in order to encourage them to reach their potential at the company. As a result, employees tend to stick around; nearly half of WestMat’s staff has been with the company for ten years or longer. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the owner or a shop helper, everybody gets treated the same. Nobody gets looked down on or looked up at. It’s been like that ever since I can remember. And I think it makes it a pleasant place to work where they actually want to come to work and to make a career out of their job,” says Lloyd Cunningham, Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. President. This dedication to service standards and quality has helped WestMat succeed and grow over the past 50 years and will facilitate more growth into the future.
FUTURE IS BRIGHT With this milestone anniversary, the management team is looking back in appreciation at what got them here but they have their eyes set firmly on the future. Much has changed since 1970 but the philosophy of hard work, high standards and relationship building has never wavered. “I think 50 years of continuity is extremely important,” says Kirk. With that in mind, WestMat is focused on continuing to differentiate itself with its superior service levels and commitment to customers to find them the best product fit on the market. The team stays abreast of developments in the industry, including the move toward electric or battery powered products and Toyota’s foray into automation and warehouse systems, to fulfil their core purpose: Creating Solutions Together. For 50 years, Western Materials Handling & Equipment Ltd. has created quality solutions for Alberta businesses, and through determination, teamwork and a well-earned solid reputation, the next generation will carry on serving Alberta business for years to come. 5927 - 86 Street Edmonton, Alberta Canada T6E 2X4 780.465.6417 | 780.717.7425 | sales@westmat.com
www.westmat.com
WESTERN MATERIALS HANDLING & EQUIPMENT LTD. • 50 YEARS • 12
TOGETHER WE BUILD SUCCESS.
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