We built this city: celebrating member milestones

WE BUILT THIS CITY

CCA members celebrating milestones

By Melanie Franner

Pushing the boundaries of architectural design through the use of cuttingedge technology is par for the course for the City of Calgary. The existence of the city’s landmark buildings attests to this very fact. But who are the companies that have contributed to this unique urban landscape? Who are the companies that helped drive innovation, helped establish its forwardthinking reputation, and helped develop the very foundations on which to build?

The answer lies in the very heart of Calgary itself, and it includes a growing list of multigenerational companies that have demonstrated both perseverance and adaptability in the face of change. Their success lies with their people, their leadership, and their expertise.

A DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY –SPALDING HARDWARE SYSTEMS INC. CELEBRATES 70 YEARS AND COUNTING

What began as an adjunct to a thriving lumber business has grown into a highly successful, fully integrated commercial door, hardware, and access control supply and installation business, with fabrication facilities in Calgary and Edmonton.

David Spalding can be considered the “genesis” of Spalding Hardware Systems Inc. He was hired back in 1952 to focus solely on supplying general hardware to the carpenters and contractors who would frequent the Calgary lumber store.

The company would change ownership in 1978 when two employees stepped up to purchase the operation. By this time, the market had already become more specialized, with a growing need for hardware specific to doors and frames used in commercial construction.

“At that time, the company decided to open a new division for door and frame hardware only,” says John Manes, Chairman, Spalding Hardware.

Manes and Ed Toy purchased the compa

The Calgary Saddledome.

Interior of the National Music Centre. South Health Campus.

ny a few years later in 1994. They were both longtime employees and, as such, were able to transition ownership smoothly. Still, the two were quick to put their own mark on the business.

EXPANDING THE TOOL BOX

“By the time we took things over, the general hardware market had started to drop off, so we evolved that area of the business into an aftermarket division for service and maintenance,” says Manes.

The growing demand for a onestop shop also influenced the direction of the company’s evolution, resulting in the development of a new division for access controls.

“The fastest growing part of our business currently is access control,” says Manes, adding that this division is also the one with the most growth potential.

Today, Spalding operates three distinct divisions: aftermarket service and maintenance; door and frame hardware; and access control systems. Its endtoend services extend from builder specifications to commercial door installation and maintenance.

The fact that the company can now install and service everything it sells has also proven to be a huge advantage in the market.

As the company evolved, so too did its customer base. With the addition of specialized hardware and aftermarket services, the company has broadened its audience to include architects and designers, along with general contractors and building owners. Among its client list are schools, hospitals, and municipalities.

“We’ve tripled the size of the business since we took over,” says Manes. “We have a fully trained team of door, frame, hardware, and access control experts who are very knowledgeable.”

Manes goes out of his way to credit the employees. “We’d be dead in the water without them,” he says. “We respect one another. That’s our true north.”

THE NEXT STEP

In 2019, the ownership of Spalding changed hands once again. The new leaders of tomorrow are again from within. “All four of the new owners have been with the company for a minimum of 10 years,” says Manes, adding that he and Toy will continue to work alongside them for some time to come to ensure a smooth transition for staff and customers.

“I think the ownership transitions are key to our success,” says Manes. “We’ve lasted 70 years because we have grown and adapted to the market. Our employees know that they have opportunities open to them. This is what has made us viable over the years.”

Giving back to charities and associations is at the very core of Spalding. Manes himself has served on various industry associations and he is quick to credit employees who have contributed to charitable causes. “I’ve gotten back a lot more than I contributed over the years by volunteering my time with associations,” he says. “It’s something that we strongly encourage here.”

Integrity and respect are two other core components of Spalding, as is the drive to always add value and aspire towards excellence.

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Eighth Avenue Place twin towers. Scaffolding structures created for event stages, art installations, and an ice wall.

ICONIC INSPIRATION

Spalding has undertaken several noteworthy projects over the years. The landmark Saddledome is certainly one that stands out for its notoriety and fame. Spalding began work on the $99.7 million project in 1981. The company was back onsite for the box seat renovations in 1994 and again in the flood recovery reconstruction in 2013.

Another iconic landmark building in the city of Calgary is the National Music Centre. Spalding was the museum’s door supplier and installer, managing the door, frame, hardware, and security component scope of the project. The company overcame several unique challenges while working on the project, such as special hardware applications for support and function for the unusually thick doorways and sourcing periodmatching door hardware.

The $1.3 billion South Health Campus project was another milestone project for Spalding. The company provided designassist service for the more than 3,000 architectural openings within the hospital. The company also managed the procurement and onsite coordination of all the required doors, frames, hardware, and security components, and it continues to provide ongoing maintenance.

The city’s downtown Eighth Avenue Place Twin Tower project also called upon Spalding’s expertise. The company was hired to develop the door, hardware, and door security specifications for the development. Spalding also consulted on and supplied the hardware and door security components on over 100 floors of triple A tenant space and continues to provide ongoing maintenance.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS –ARMOUR EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTALS LTD. TURNS 60 YEARS YOUNG

Unbeknownst to many, Armour Equipment Sales & Rentals Ltd. has quietly and steadfastly provided services across the city during the 60+ years since its inception. The company was founded in 1961 by Leo Messier, who saw an opportunity to enter the scaffolding and shoring market. Larry Messier joined the company in 1965 and his stepson, Charles Maygard, subsequently joined the fold and officially became president in 2013.

“We have worked on almost every major building in Calgary at some capacity over our 60 years and have built well over 30,000 scaffolds during this time,” says Maygard. “Our services have helped build and shape this great city in ways most people don’t see.”

Armour Equipment operated solely as a supplier of rental scaffolding and shoring until the 1980’s, when it added assembly and dismantle to its offerings. The move was followed by a shift into the commercial sector in the 1990’s. Its customer base includes general contractors, subtrades, developers, property management companies, institutions, and even the film industry. The com

Scaffolding in the interior of the New Central Library.

pany has worked on the Calgary Stampede site for more than 30 years running.

Today, rentals and sales of equipment account for 30 per cent of sales, with design, assembly and dismantle representing the remaining 70 per cent.

Maygard credits the company’s ongoing success, in large part, to its culture and core values. “The company has survived and thrived because of strong management, great customer relationships, and an emphasis on culture,” he says, adding that the importance of treating people well and creating a culture of family has been passed through multiple generations. “The founding building blocks of our company have become part of our DNA. It’s become embedded in who we are, it is fluid and instinctual.”

This respect for its people is reflected in the long tenure of its employees. As a result, Armour Equipment has become specialized in the more technically skilled applications.

“Our people are extremely knowledgeable and experienced, so we have the skillset to deal with the more challenging and complex projects,” says Maygard. “Scaffolding is a very intricate and specialized trade. Our team is highly skilled in designing and building temporary and highly complex structures. Scaffolding is very much an art that requires talent, knowledge, and experience.”

HIDDEN ASSETS

Maygard describes scaffolding as an overlooked service but an essential one. “When people think of all the most beautiful architecture and buildings of the world, they don’t always realize that scaffolding was essential to the construction,” he says. “Think of Michelangelo laying on his back, supported by scaffolding while painting the Sistine Chapel.”

Armour Equipment has had its share of iconic projects over the years. Calgary’s New Central Library is one example. The company was involved from day one, help

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403-569-6986 RSFoundations.ca

Maygard describes scaffolding as an overlooked service but an essential one.

ing to provide access and site safety as the construction site was prepped, providing scaffolding over the CTrain light rail tracks, and providing support throughout the complex curved interior.

Other marquee projects for the company include Calgary’s annual Beakerhead Festival, the Calgary Stampede, and the 1988 Olympics.

“We work with a variety of customers,” says Maygard, adding that the list includes general construction, subtrades, film and media, events and entertainment, industrial, renovation, restoration, environmental, disaster recovery, and aviation. “We’ve worked for major film and movie productions in and around Calgary, in almost every building in the city and on almost every major construction site in the city.”

THE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP

Maygard prides himself on being someone who can carry on the values of the company that began in 1961. Albeit, there have been a lot of changes along the way. But the core that made Armour Equipment a success back then remains just as strong today.

“My job is to ensure that the company continues to evolve with the integrity and legacy that has made it last 60 years, without allowing room for complacency,” he says. “To me, the 60th anniversary is a time for renewal. It’s a time for investing in our people, in new technology, and in new opportunities.”

Part of what will continue to drive Maygard is the excitement he feels about the future. “I have always said that in order for a multigenerational company to not just survive, the owner has to be experienced, engaged, educated and ultimately, excited about the future,” he concludes. “The future gives me great excitement. Every day, we get to give our people the opportunity to create something from nothing. We get to create art, to create a vision.” n