4 minute read
SIMSA had a plan, so how did we do?
When the initial planning for the saskatchewan Industrial and Mining suppliers association (sIMsa) was being done in 2012 through 2013, several goals were set. so, how did we do?
following consultations with a number of saskatchewan suppliers to the mining and resource industries, a group of local supplier-company persons incorporated sIMsa in March 2013. the association was initiated by a board of eight, and when sIMsa’s logo was created, the eight green dots in it are representative of the eight original directors. It should be noted that the saskatchewan Ministry of trade and export Development played a key role in sIMsa’s formative process and its early operations. at that time, saskatchewan’s mining sector was on the end of a major capital spending initiative by several mining companies. the thought was that saskatchewan suppliers had not captured enough of the spend, as they wrote in sIMsa’s planning documents, “Clearly there is an opportunity to increase saskatchewan’s participation in supplying goods and services in the resource industry.” they went on to say that, “to this point, the extensive saskatchewan supplier base serving these industries has not been well represented.”
In a unique environment of cooperation, a sector review was completed and sIMsa was conceptualised. they wrote, “Industry understands the importance of working together to assist in promoting saskatchewan capabilities and has an interest in working collaboratively to capture more work within saskatchewan borders. this desire to work together and to promote local capabilities has resulted in the formation of the saskatchewan Industrial and Mining suppliers association (sIMsa).”
sIMsa’s primary focus was to be on increasing the saskatchewan-based market share in saskatchewan projects and representing the interests of the members in order to influence government and industry. the key criteria for membership were that a company had to have a permanent physical office and at least three employees in the province.
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Energy and Resources Bronwyn Eyre addresses SIMSA members.
In the beginning, the association’s membership included 22 companies: the goal of 100 members was targeted for 2016, 200 members for 2018, and 300 members for 2023.
a target of hosting two to three events per year, with a combination of social, networking, and education, was set for 2016, and four events per year was foreseen at 2017.
In 10 years, sIMsa was to also be the go-to place for market information on projects/opportunities. the activities foreseen would, “Proactively promote saskatchewan capabilities to producers, ePC/ePCM, and oeM companies within the geographic region of saskatchewan.” they also thought that, “Materials and tools will be developed to educate, engage, and raise awareness.”
Plans for a website were made, which was to “...include an online searchable database, profiling members’ goods and services capabilities.”
they foresaw that sIMsa, “...will partner with other organizations on issues and activities of common interest while representing the saskatchewan priorities that have not been currently captured by existing supplier-based organizations. the intent of sIMsa is to partner and leverage activities with existing associations (both resources-based and general business) where common interests exist while profiling saskatchewan supply solutions.”
Today:
• SIMSA hosts at least 12 educational and procurement-related events per year, which is well ahead of the target of four. these events are largely in partnership with saskatchewan’s major mining and energy companies, plus their ePCMs, and have been the catalyst for the association’s growth.
• SIMSA now has over 220 members and has actually grown through the CoVID crisis. Comparatively, sIM-
LET US HELP DESIGN, BUILD & MAINTAIN YOUR POTASH FACILITY
sa’s membership was 74 in september of 2016 and almost tripled within the subsequent three years, while another construction-related association saw more than a 40 per cent decline in membership. the target of 300 members by 2023 is still on track.
• The Saskatchewan Supplier Database has been built and is a sortable shortlisting tool of sIMsa member abilities and products. this item was paid for and designed in collaboration with bHP, the Government of Canada, the Government of saskatchewan, Husky energy,
Mosaic, Nutrien, saskenergy, sask-
Power, and tC energy. the database generated $97 million in sales for sIMsa members over the past year.
• SIMSA provides daily markets and services updates by email, as well as a monthly newsletter.
• SIMSA regularly meets with government and other associations in a cooperative effort to build a better saskatchewan.
FWSgroup.com
the initial vision for sIMsa’s activities and how it was to function were captured and always kept in mind; and by following them, the membership grew as forecasted. the current pandemic required sIMsa to shift from an in-person to a virtual delivery mode, and provide some training on it, but the spirit in which things are done and the focus on saskatchewan’s supply chain has and will not change. s
