Gerald Lutz (general manager and at Canessco 41 years), Mark Fairbridg (owner), Michele Gagnier (owner), Nathan Gagnier (operations manager) and Lorelei Christensen (accounts receivable).
Canessco Services Inc.: The W Original Trouble Shootin’ Guys
By Nerissa McNaughton
ho are you really going to call when there’s trouble down below? The company that is celebrating nearly 65 years of service.
“When you go to someone’s house or a business and they are having a sewer backup, they are always happy to see you because we are there to get them out of trouble. They are excited to see us and even happier to see us leave!” laughs Nathan Gagnier, whose sense of humor is just one of the reasons he excels as the operations manager and safety coordinator of Canessco Services Inc. He’s got plenty of reasons to smile. The family owned and operated company is edging up on their 65th anniversary.
Canessco launched in 1952. Gagnier’s grandfather bought the company in 1974, when the technology for sewer line inspections and grease trap cleaning was a little more, shall we say, hands on. Today, both Gagnier and the company president, Mark Fairbridge, are happy to use upgraded technology that has them keeping Edmonton’s plumbing systems clean and free flowing.
Canessco Services Inc. | 65 Years | 1
“Our job, while not a pretty one, is integral to the upkeep of the City of Edmonton, its businesses, and homeowners,” smiles Fairbridge. He’s been with Canessco for over 40 years, working part time in 1974 and transitioning to full time after graduation. He muses over the things that have changed – and the things that never will. “Technology and equipment are the biggest changes over the years, but we have a person here, Gerald, that my dad hired in 1974 when he took over the company. Gerald is still here! Another employee has been here for 20 years. That speaks volumes to what kind of operation we run.”
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Canessco’s Trouble Shootin’ Fleet You’ve read about the company’s history and the outstanding commitment to customer service, now learn why Canessco is so efficient. Spoiler alert! It’s because they have of all the equipment necessary to do a first-rate job, and they keep their trucks in peak condition so they are always ready for your call. In addition to rigid portable drain cleaning and jetting equipment, CCTV inspection/locating equipment and a CCTV mainline camera, Canessco’s truck fleet includes: • Vac-On Sewer/Cleaner Hydrovac trucks: 2016 Freightliner 2012 International 2008 Sterling
Canessco Services is the company that gets called when underground plumbing needs servicing. The company provides high pressure water sewer flushing and cleaning, hydro excavation, liquid waste pumping and disposal, catch basin cleaning and thawing, small sewer line cleaning (for pipes 1.5” to 4”), and grease trap cleaning for industry, restaurants and homeowners. They are also excited about their newest service: sewer line CCTV inspection. Now, this is significant. Why? Because why have two companies on site, one to view the line and one to flush it, when you can have one reliable company take care of both? It is this kind of forward-focused, customer-based thinking that has kept Canessco busy for six decades – even when the economy is less than kind.
2006 Sterling
“With the oil patch going down, there is a lot more equipment coming into the city, admits Gagnier. “We aim to stay on top and keep customers happy despite all these other competitors.”
• CT 407 Vacuum Trucks:
“There is so much competition right now,” agrees Fairbridge. “This year in general, for everyone in business, it’s going to be a challenge.”
2015 Freightliner Tri-Drive 2006 Kenworth 2007 Western Star
• Mini Vacuum Truck: 2000 Ford F450 • CCTV Sewer Inspection Van Learn more about what this equipment can do for you by visiting www.canessco.com/equipment.html.
CONGRATULATIONS CANESSCO ON 65 YEARS! Canessco Services Inc. | 65 Years | 2
Just what kind of operation are they running, exactly? One that is absolutely vital, but one that few people could brave. Thankfully, the crew of Canessco are very, very brave.
Hey, these guys are in the sewer business so they have seen worse things than an economic challenge. In fact, seeing absolutely everything that the job has to offer was priority one for both team leaders. “I don’t ask the crew to do anything I wouldn’t do myself,” Gagnier says with pride. “I started at the bottom and I’ve done it all, so I try to inspire. My team knows I’ve done it or I will do it with them.” Fairbridge feels the same way. From the office to behind the wheel of one of their trucks, he and the management team ensure they remain responsive and agile to the needs of their employees and clients.
Proud Supplier of Vac-con Equipment to Canessco
SUPERIOR TRUCK EQUIPMENT INC. Calgary - Edmonton 1-866-733-9776 • www.superiortruck.ca
It’s a strategy that works. The Canessco reputation sees this Edmonton-based company doing work in Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc – even as far away as Cold Lake, Exshaw and Calgary.
Gagnier also offers a tip that saves their clients time, money and stress. “Quality control is a big thing with underground sewer lines. Once they are put in the ground or cleaned, unless you camera them you don’t know what shape they are in.
Recently, Canessco flushed seven conduit lines for the E.L. Smith Water Treatment plant. Those lines happened to be under the North Saskatchewan River and required them to work in holes up to 220 feet deep. They aren’t kidding when they say their experience and expertise sets them apart.
The same goes for new construction and older buildings. Do preventative maintenance with CCTV. When you can see the issues and know what’s going on, you can nip a problem in the bud before it happens.”
“We have over 100 years of combined experience among us,” Gagnier points out, but it’s more than experience that has everyone from the City of Edmonton to restaurants and homeowners keeping their number on speed dial. “We strive to provide quality service to our customers,” he continues. “We want our employees to look pleasing to the customers. We are also safety conscious. Safety is a big part. We have a tight knit crew and a positive corporate culture.”
CCTV is the difference between realizing your line needs flushing, or having it trenched up and completely replaced because an easily-solved problem was left for too long. The company is as focused on the community as they are on their clients. Canessco Services supports the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, Santa’s Anonymous, Boys & Girls Club Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association, JCI Edmonton – Holiday Hamper, McMan Youth, Salvation Army among others.
We Pride Ourselves on Our Personalized Service Environmentally Friendly • Family Owned and Operated for 36+ years! • Fully Insured • Bonded
Congratulations Canessco!
#102, 11434 - 168 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3T9 Call for a free estimate: 780.483.7278 • streakerjs@telus.net www.streakerjanitor.ca
Congratulations Canessco! We are honored to have assisted you in reaching this milestone. 1004 Bell Tower, 10104 - 103rd Ave. Telephone: 780 428 1731 • Fax: 780 420 6290 • www.oshryco.com
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Commercial and Industrial Cleaning Specialists
“We don’t force the guys to bring presents for Santa’s Anonymous, but they just do!” smiles Gagnier. “It’s good to see and nice to help out.” There’s a solid plan going forward. Gagnier explains, “We are going to just keep on going. I don’t think we want to get too much bigger. We want to be sustainable and remain family run and owned.” It’s a strategy that has worked for over 60 years and one that a continued A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau can attest to. Canessco Services tips their hat to Peter Fairbridge, the man that started it all. “If he didn’t buy it, none of us would be here!” And many lines under our city would also be a lot worse for the wear.
7710-67 St. NW Edmonton, AB T6B 2K4 Main: 780-465-9615 Administration: 780-466-2454 Fax: 780-468-1802 www.canessco.com
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CONGRATULATIONS!
The whole Team from Nordic is very proud to congratulate their friends over at Canessco on 65 years of excellence and innovation!
4143 – 78 Avenue • T: 780.469.7799 • F: 780.469.1568 • www.nordicsystems.ca