Midwest Caissons - Celebrates 10 Years

THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS

Written by Nerissa McNaughton

Published by Mark McDonald

Midwest Caissons is Alberta’s piling contractor solution, with over 150 years of combined experience

In 2001, Albert and Rose Smith founded Midwest Caissons as a company where employees could grow in their own unique ways. With a commitment to fostering personal and professional development, they aimed to establish a collaborative environment where individuals could thrive. Albert and Rose envisioned Midwest Caissons as a respected player in the construction industry, known for its dedication to its workforce and delivering exceptional service to clients. Today the company has exceeded the founders’ goals, providing an outstanding employee culture for its team while constructing solid foundations through custom piling solutions across Western and Northern Canada.

“After opening in 2001 with just one rig and four employees, Midwest Caissons quickly grew,” says Neil Sutherland, president. “By 2007, the company had expanded enough to warrant the construction of a new facility in Acheson. The years that followed led to further growth and the fleet expanded to 10 rigs by 2008. In 2014, the founders sold the business to me and Todd Smith.”

Today, Sutherland and Todd Smith, vice president, oversee eight drilling rigs, specialty load test equipment and 30 dedicated professionals.

Smith is happy to note that despite the growth, the original people-first value has never changed.

“Midwest Caissons views its employees, clients and partners as an extended family,” he confirms. “Each member of the team is valued and respected. Similarly, clients and partners are regarded as integral parts of the Midwest Caissons family, with relationships built on trust, collaboration and mutual success.”

“Our unique approach prioritizes the well-being of our team, emphasizing safety and worklife balance while our ability to react quickly to changing circumstances gives us a competitive edge. By being proactive, we address issues swiftly and ensure project timelines are met without compromising on quality or safety. This focus sets us apart from the competition.”

Cody Gravel, human resource manager and lead estimator, shares an important view, “Currently, our greatest challenge is striking a balance between staying competitive in the market and

is essential to maintaining our reputation for excellence, and we are committed to meeting this challenge head-on.”

Despite the challenges, Midwest Caissons has many milestone projects under its belt, including helping to rebuild Fort McMurray after The Beast fire. The work in rebuilding vital infrastructure went beyond construction. The involvement demonstrated a remarkable unity and determination, proving that even in the face

of adversity, collective efforts can pave the way for recovery and renewal.

Another notable project was the Jagare Ridge townhome development that was completed over this past summer. Nearly 1,400 piles were installed for 21 buildings (168 townhome units) using one crew in just over three months.

“Amidst the urgent demand for housing in the Edmonton area, we took great pride in contributing to the acceleration of the project’s installation timeline by providing a custom inhouse engineered solution for our clients needs. Our field team displayed exceptional dedication, averaging 20 piles per day and continually pushing themselves to surpass previous installation records. At the peak of efficiency, they achieved an impressive 43 piles in a single day with just one crew,” shares Sutherland.

The recently completed Castle Downs High School project was a job that came in last minute and required a static load test. Within two weeks of being notified of the project, Midwest Caissons had pricing for the client, a successful static load test completed and provided stamped shop drawings (397 piles) so that the piling could commence quickly.

“When we speak of being agile and being able to react quickly, this was a great example of just that. We have a team that can react quickly to situations such as this and with in-house engineering, it makes it that much easier to design and get documentation in place quickly,” says Gravel, referencing the Castle Downs High School project. “Within the last 10 years, Midwest has installed piles for over 45 schools and we were happy to be involved in another successful project like this one.”

“Quality foundation work is the base of every successful construction project. Trust in our expertise and dedication to delivering reliable, custom and long-lasting solutions for your projects,” adds Sutherland. “When you choose Midwest Caissons, you’re not just hiring a contractor, you’re partnering with a team dedicated to delivering results. Trust is at the core of everything we do, and we’re committed to earning and maintaining your trust throughout the entire process.

“From project planning to execution, you can rely on us to handle every aspect with precision, professionalism, and integrity. Your satisfaction and the successful completion of your project are our top priorities and we won’t rest until we’ve exceeded your expectations. So, when it comes to foundation solutions, trust us to get the job completed – on time, on budget and to the highest standards of quality.”

“The most rewarding aspect of Midwest Caissons is undoubtedly the positive reputation we have built with our clients, suppliers and partners,” notes Smith. “Knowing that our commitment to excellence and integrity is recognized and appreciated in the industry brings a profound sense of fulfillment.

incredibly gratifying.”

Caissons on 10 incredible years in business! Thank you for continuing to be a valued industry partner 780-481-5181 www.petrocom.ca

“One surprising thing the ordinary person may not know about Midwest Caissons is our ability to ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,’ he continues “So, what does that mean? Despite our size, we consistently punch above our weight class in the industry. Our agility, innovation and determination enable us to take on projects with remarkable precision and effectiveness, exceeding expectations and leaving a lasting impression on clients and competitors alike.”

Laying down successful foundations includes building up communities from a social standpoint. Midwest Caissons also considers this to be a

“We prioritize contributing to the Stollery Hospital Foundation and we extend our support to various customer endeavors, including initiatives focused on multiple sclerosis and heart health. We also engage in private, anonymous donations to further assist in making a positive impact on the community and those in need,” says Sutherland. “Knowing that we have contributed to these causes means a lot to us, as it reinforces our belief in being more than just a business and being part

In addition to celebrating 23 years of serving communities, Midwest Caissons is also celebrating a recent award won by employee Justice Affeldt.

Gravel explains, “Recently, she received acknowledgment for her exemplary efforts on site, earning the esteemed safety champion belt from one of our clients. Her dedication to safety and

• In-House Engineering and Testing

• Cast in Place Concrete Piles

• Friction Piles

• Belled Piles

• Static Load Testing

• Shoring Walls

• Sound Walls

• Restricted Access Piles

• Low Head Room Piles

• Rotary Bored Piles

• Large Diameter Piles

• Caissons

• Screw Piles

• Preliminary Test Piles

• Retaining Walls

• Pre Drilling

FLEET CAPABILITIES

• Pile Shaft Diameters from 200mm (12”) to 3650mm (144”)

• Belled Piles in all sizes to a maximum of 3 x Shaft Diameters

• Drill Depths in Excess of 34m

• Screw Piles

• Static Load Tests up to 5000Kn

• In-House Design Capabilities

• Soil Enhancement Testing

• Restricted Access & Skid Steer Drilling

her outstanding performance were showcased not only through this award but also in her feature on our client’s safety poster. This recognition not only underscores Affeldt’s commitment to safety but also reflects positively on Midwest Caissons as a company that prioritizes the well-being of its employees. We are honoured to have a team member like Affeldt who embodies our values and contributes to the success of our projects.”

The ownership and management team also express heartfelt thanks to all the people that have helped the company thrive.

“While it’s challenging to pinpoint one specific person or entity, we recognize the collective efforts of our entire team here at Midwest Caissons, whose dedication, hard work and versatility have propelled us forward,” says Smith. “As a small family-run business, each member of our team plays a crucial role, often wearing multiple hats to ensure the efficiency and success of our operations.

“We further extend our appreciation to our clients for their trust and confidence in our services. Without their ongoing support and partnership, our growth would not be possible. Together with our team and clients, we look forward to continued success and opportunities for growth in the future.”

What’s next for Midwest Caissons? Sutherland is happy to share, “We are focused on maintaining our current size and staying true to our core strengths and values. We prioritize excellence in foundation piling, reinforced by our expertise in pile load testing and design-build engineering. Our commitment lies in honing our craft, ensuring that we remain leaders in our field while delivering exceptional service to our clients. Embracing innovation and sustainable practices, we are dedicated to continuously improving our processes and capabilities. By staying in our lane and excelling in what we do, we are poised to drive sustained success for our

future.”