16 minute read
Secrets of Success: Westcor Construction United Supreme Group Evolution Glass
FEATURE | Feature
Secrets of Success
By Melanie Franner
The Calgary Construction Association showcases various members that have exceeded expectations during good times and bad. It is a way to celebrate a positive among our very own membership – especially during a time when positives are more elusive than usual.
Savvy thinking pays dividends
WESTCOR CONSTRUCTION
When the four founding partners started Westcor Construction in 2003, they were unanimous in their singular vision: to build a better world. Today, the company is 75people strong and it has become a shining example of an organization dedicated to giving back.
“From the outset, our vision was to build a better world for our clients, our employees, and our community,” says Bob Robinson, president and CEO, Westcor Construction. “We recognized early on that simply writing cheques to charities was not going to make the kind of impact we wanted. We knew that we could make a bigger impact through sweat equity.”
As a ‘peoplefirst company’, Westcor Construction has empowered its employees, through a mindset of continuous learning and sustainable growth, to enable change. Helping others is one of the company’s six core values – and an inherent facet of its very culture.
“We use a valuebased system that acts as a ‘north star’ for everybody within our organization,” says Robinson, who adds that the company has a social committee that looks at how to leverage ideas to maximize impact. “There is no start and stop to our initiatives. Our efforts are ongoing. It’s embedded in our culture.”
Westcor Construction has demonstrated the strength of its values each and every day of operation. It reached new heights, however, when employees chose to celebrate the company’s 15year anniversary with the launch of its ‘Building a Better Community – A Westcor PeopleFirst Initiative’, a campaign that drove 15 acts of kindness over 12
months during the course of 2018 and into 2019.
The new initiative kicked off with an antibullying campaign that was enthusiastically received by business and community partners, and it generated enough money to deliver the program to 25 schools within Calgary.
Other initiatives included a donation drive that collected 2,100 towels for the city’s Mustard Seed Shelter, a men’s clothing drive for the Calgary DropIn Centre, a Backpacks for Kids campaign that saw donations of school supplyfilled backpacks to local schools.
Westcor Construction leveraged all of these efforts with their business and community partners to increase impact. And it worked. The Building a Better Community Initiative proved to be a resounding success.
In 2019, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) recognized the company’s efforts by bestowing it with the Community Leadership Award. The muchcoveted award recognizes a CCA member firm, partner association, or individual who has devoted their time and effort to the betterment of their communities.
“Our employees were speechless,” says Robinson. “Our people are so proud to be a part of an organization that has been recognized nationally. We are truly humbled to receive the award because we know that we’re not the only company out there doing good things for the community. It has been an incredible honour to be acknowledged by the Canadian Construction Association.”
The esteemed industry award has spurred more enthusiasm for performing these community acts of kindness. Although COVID19 has limited options as of late, Westcor Construction has found other innovative ways to continue to make a difference, such as an initiative that saw seniors receive personalized, handwritten holiday cards. The company most recently created a custom backdrop for the MakeaWish Foundation so that the organization can continue its very important fundraising efforts.
“We believe that if you have the capability to act, you have the responsibility to act,” says Robinson.
While Robinson admits that Westcor Construction is a business and, as such, needs to generate a profit at the end of the day, he also says that there is no reason why profit and community can’t coexist. “We really believe – and have seen the results – that if you do things for the right reasons, then it becomes part of your brand,” he says. “And today, brand is becoming more and more meaningful for our clients.”
Years ago, young companies starting out gained a foothold in the construction industry by delivering the lowest bid. Today, however, things have changed.
“People value giving back to the community,” says Robinson. “Clients want to work with companies that have positive community impact, and they realize that success comes from working with companies that have brands with strong value structures and act with integrity. If you’re looking for shortterm success, then this may not be a good strategy for you. But everyone here at Westcor is definitely here for the long term.” n
Thinking outside the box
UNITED SUPREME GROUP
Many construction companies have chosen to weather the COVID19 pandemic by hunkering down for the short term, be focused, and stay sharp. Others have opted to go a different route and push existing boundaries or limitations. United Supreme Group Inc. is an example of one such company.
Within the last few months alone, the commercial coatings contractor turned the global pandemic into an opportunity by launching a new Vancouver office and by moving to a new 23,000squarefoot contracting/manufacturing facility in Calgary.
United Supreme Group, which specializes in commercial and industrial coating applications, prides itself on the ability to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of prime contractors. If the past year is any indication, the company has not only succeeded throughout these difficult times, it has thrived.
“We saw the pandemic as an opportunity to grow,” says Dwayne Wallace, COO. “Timing was everything, and we were fortunate enough to be in a position to be able to capitalize on it.” Wallace describes the company’s significant expansion during these unheralded times as ‘an accumulation of our life’s work’, and the proof of his remark is in the company’s very own history of success.
This year will mark the 25year anniversary of United Supreme Group, and the company has changed significantly over this time, including a name change from United Decorating. This was due to the company’s evolution into the many coatings and applications that went beyond regular paint.
United Supreme Group began its operations in 1996 by founder Danijel Slisko. “Danijel started out by painting residential fences,” says Wallace, a longtime friend. “From there, the company moved into painting small homes and then into commercial, before eventually focusing solely on commercial, industrial, and civil applications.”
The Calgarybased company now employs more than 150 people, and has most recently expanded into the manufacturing and application of complex coating systems. “Thanks to Danijel’s great work and vision, we’re a very diverse company today,” says Wallace. “We’re able to lean on all of our different areas of expertise – paint, epoxy flooring, and beyond.”
One of the key areas of the United Supreme Group’s success, according to Wallace, is the people. The management staff consists of engineers, professionals, and experienced tradesmen. The rest of the crew is described as ‘a fun mix of qualified people and strategists with a great passion for all things creative’. The one thing they all have in common is a love of what they do, along with a respect for the needs of the client.
United Supreme Group operates its commercial and industrial coatings operation from its new facility in Calgary, and complements this with a presence in Edmonton and in Vancouver.
“Both of these geographical areas are really growing right now,” says Wallace. “We’re fortunate to have made the leap
when we did. The growth from Edmonton and Vancouver is helping to offset the slower business here in Calgary at the moment so our expansion has proven to be a good decision. We’re not putting all of our eggs in one basket.”
United Supreme Group chose to augment its existing coatings business with the launch in January 2021 of its 23,000square foot manufacturing facility that will focus solely on complex specialty coatings. Wallace describes the launch as the accumulation of two years of intensive R&D work. “We’re focused on thinking outside of the box. We’re breaking down the traditional vendor/contractor relationship and becoming a single entity, a new concept if you will. From alpha to omega,” he says. “Our goal is to begin to offer specialty quality coatings later this year. We want to continue to find ways to take care of our clients to the best of our abilities.”
Right now, this involves adding specialty coatings to the broad mix of commercial and industrial coatings that they currently offer to their diverse cliental.
“We’re very relationship based,” says Wallace. “We know that it’s important to keep our customers at the forefront of our mind at all times. We have to make sure that we are constantly providing solutions to our customers.”
The key to success, according to Wallace, is to ensure that your clients meet with their own success. “We’re not just about applying coatings on our customers’ walls,” he says. “We’re actually helping them to be successful. Our success is achieved through their success.”
And with this type of business philosophy, concludes Wallace, the sky’s the limit. n
PRINTING AND SCANNING SERVICES
Did you know? The CCA offers standard size printing, wide format printing and scanning services. gyca.com !
SIZE B&W MEMBER PRICE
36” X 72”
36” X 48”
30” X 42”
24” X 36”
18” X 24”
11” X 17”
8.5” X 14”
8.5” X 11” $4.50 $3.00 $2.18 $1.50 $0.75 $0.33 $0.20 $0.08 $10.80 $7.20 $5.25 $3.60 $1.80 $0.78 $0.50 $0.39 $16.20 $10.80 $7.87 $5.40 $2.70 $1.17 $0.74 $0.58
COLOUR MEMBER PRICING
COLOUR NONMEMBER PRICING
•Scanning and Printing on our KIP 860 •Standard Size and Over Size Documents •Plans and Specs
gyca.com
WIDE FORMAT SCANNING RATES
SIZE B&W MEMBER PRICE
36” X 72”
36” X 48”
30” X 42”
24” X 36”
18” X 24” $2.50 $2.10 $1.70 $1.20 $0.80
**The minimum invoice amount is $6.00 **Please note the CCA is not responsible for damage to original documents / plans
OUR COST PRINTER RATES
Printer Black & White – 0.00900 Colour – 0.0500
Priority pivot
EVOLUTION GLASS
Before the pandemic, Evolution Glass Inc. had nicely achieved a comfortable position. The six people who helped launch the company in 2012 had expanded to 80+ at various points in its history but had settled out at 45 employees with $9 million of work on the books. And then came COVID 19.
“Almost overnight, our workload dropped to less than a $1 million,” says Richard Munro, vice president of construction, Evolution Glass.
By the summer of 2020, business was still looking grim. Richard sat down with president of Evolution Glass, Ashley Munro, and entered into a serious discussion about whether to put their planned expansion on hold. “The move had been in the works for the past couple of years,” says Richard. “It was a big risk to go forward. We just had the rug pulled out from under our feet.”
The road hasn’t been easy, but it has been one actively engaged by all members of the team. “We never shut down operations,” says Ashley. “We made the decision early on to keep the doors open. We made some accommodations for those who needed to work from home, but we continued to operate.”
The company also made some key changes to its branding, creating three distinct divisions under its roof: service, special projects, and projects. The rebranding enabled the company to better focus on its customers, allotting resources and personnel to each of the three divisions. And then they began the hard task of building the business back up. “We took about a month to pivot and rebrand,” says Richard. “But it took us weeks and weeks, along with big efforts from everyone working on the team, to turn this around.”
The rebranding coincided with the decision to proceed with the move from the existing 15,000squarefoot facility to a 35,000squarefoot, highend industrial space that would accommodate room for manufacturing, warehouse, offices, and a showroom.
“It’s going to be all about the experience,” says Richard, who says that the company hopes to have the official opening coincide with this year’s Calgary Stampede. “The second floor is all about the staff experience, with a lot of funky, collaborative rooms and open spaces. It’s been designed to be a highly motivating collaborative space. We jokingly refer to it as Google without the free lunches.”
A beautiful, highend glass staircase will connect the two floors. “The main floor is all about the customer experience,” says Richard. “It will include a massive showroom, like an art gallery.” This gallery will be a testament to projects past and present, with photos of completed works, along with specialty designs and glass such as skylights and curtain walls.
It will also include a replica made out of LEGO blocks of the company’s largest project to date: Brookfield Place. “We did the podium, the bottom three floors of the tower, along with the threestorey, standalone Pavilion building,” recalls Richard. “It was about a $5million project in total.”
Looking for a place to hold your next meeting or course? Look no further! The CCA is pleased to offer room rental services.
We have the amenities that you need:
• Free parking • ���� ��� • Newly renovated washrooms • Large networking space • �ptional room layouts
» �oar� room style » ��eatre style » Classroom style » �roup��o� �reakout style •10 minutes to Calgary Airport (11.3 km) •12 minutes to Downtown Calgary (8.3 km) • Nearby hotels
» Sheraton Cavalier Calgary » Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport » Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport
• �o�al �atering options a�aila�le
Chinook Room
Seats up ��-�� �ma�� classrooms style Seats up to ��� theatre style
• Pro�ector and screen • �rite away wall • Micro�hone • �arge windows • Room si�e �� feet long �� feet wide
Sarcee Room
Seats up to �� classroom style Seats up to ��-�� �ma�� theatre style
• �ull length write away wall • �arge �� screen • �arge windows • Room si�e �� feet long �� feet wide
Blackfoot room
Seats up to �� people classroom style Seats up to 4�-�� �ma�� theatre style
• �ull length write away wall • �arge �� screen • �arge windows • Room si�e �6 feet long �� feet wide
Room rentals are available for full or half-day bookings. Member and non-members rates. Please contact CCA office for more details or visit www.cgyca.com to fill out a room rental agreement!
Now in our new 35,000 square foot manufacturing facility!
• Projects • Design/Build • Special Projects • 24 hr. Service
10900 14th Street NE, Unit 130 Calgary, AB T3K 2L6 https://www.facebook.com/EvolutionGlassInc. 403-250-2353 www.evolutionglass.com
Another example of the company’s past work includes the 40+ year old building at 715 5 Ave. SW. Evolution Glass completely refurbished the building – top to bottom – over the course of three years and three contracts. There is also the specialty project work at the Calgary Zoo, which has included the Komodo Dragon enclosure (which called for a specialty glass resistant to condensation), along with other animal exhibits.
“The whole gallery is going to be a bit of a playground of our experiences,” says Richard.
The company’s rebranding and refocusing has relied largely upon its employees. “Our staff members have been instrumental,” says Ashley. “They’ve pivoted into new roles seamlessly. Everybody has been handson to get the engine restarted.” Key individuals have also been added to the team, with a diverse workforce that now includes a16member office team.
It takes a special type of business to be able to pivot midstream and come out the other end successfully, but it looks like Evolution Glass is one such company.
“We took a huge risk but we like to be optimistic and believe that people want to be a part of something,” concludes Richard. “We’re counting on the fact that we have really gone out of our way to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.” n
BUILD YOUR CAREER!
COURSES OFFERED MONTHLY
CCA Subcontracts 101 Construction Drawings 101 Construction Specifications 101 Earned Value Management Field Productivity 101 Field Scheduling 101 Getting Paid and Managing the Cash Flow Managing Change in Construction Managing Shop Drawings MS Excel for Construction MS Project – Basic MS Project - Intermediate Read the Full Contract – A Deep Dive into CCDC 2 Introduction to MS Teams MS Outlook 365 MS Word 365 – Part 1 MS Word 365 - Part 2 Bluebeam Revu – Drawing Management MS SharePoint & OneDrive Bluebeam Revu - Basic Bluebeam Revu - Estimating Trade Contract a Double-Edged Sword Construction 101 & Beyond Project Accounting & Cost Control Mastering Change Order Management Construction Industry Ethics Effective Meetings & Meeting Minutes Project Management Non-Standard Contract Clauses “Be Afraid” Construction Management “Keys to Success” Project Delivery Methods “Know your Responsibilities” Change Order Management Closeout of a Construction Project Building Leadership Program Construction Business Management Managing Contracts to Minimize Conflict “Do Your Job” Proposal Pursuit “Strategies for Success” Site Leadership Construction Law
Looking to build your business?
Online advertising is key to connecting with potential customers whether it be promoting an event, sharing info or simply creating brand awareness for your company! Ads placed on the CCA website will be seen by thousands of industry professionals on a monthly basis or place your ad in CCAs Constructor Weekly enewsletter.
