SIX DECADES
STRONG
A Weyburn family business recently
over the business from Jerry, but Dale
Some projects that stand out over the
celebrated 60 years of being in business.
says he is “never going to retire”.
years include the Weyburn Unit flood
In 1956, Jerry Mainil started out
“He’s 86, and he still works as hard as
hauling water before he took a welding
anybody,” Dale says, adding he used to
course, which was fairly new to
help his dad with pipelining alongside
southeast Saskatchewan back then.
his brothers.
He incorporated in 1961, hired a few employees and bought a couple oneand two-man operations out to get them to come on board. Work consisted of pipelining, welding, dirt-moving and overall construction. “He continued to build a small company into something larger,” Dale Mainil, vicepresident of acquisitions of Jerry Mainil Ltd., and son of Jerry Mainil himself. In 1992, Dale, his brother Dennis Mainil and brother-in-law Calvin Tracey took
Currently, Jerry Mainil Ltd. boasts 80 to 100 employees depending on seasonal work. Services include reclamation, dirt leaves preparation, facilities, pipelining and general maintenance. Although the company has survived and thrived for 60 years, Dale says like any industry, it has seen some lean years. However, they have their staff to thank for working hard and sticking by them. “Our people are diverse. They can multitask and run different equipment,” Dale says. “People in our community and southeast Saskatchewan have good values and good work ethic. We’ve been fortunate; it’s been a great team.
46 SASKATCHEWAN energy REPORT 2022
back in the 1960s, which injected water back down to the formation to capture more oil, as well as the carbon dioxide injection system that came out in the early 2000s. Safety is also a key part of Jerry Mainil Ltd.’s success. “We pride ourselves on safety and addressing environmental concerns,” Dale adds. “our industry in general, not just Jerry Mainil Ltd., has seen a lot of change over 60 years, and it’s all for good. Our Canadian oil and gas industry is second to none in safety and environmental concerns. We do have all those in mind, and we do an excellent job. It’s a great industry.” What’s in store for the next 60 years of Jerry Mainil Ltd.? To continue the legacy of Jerry Mainil. Dale says he is grateful to his father for giving him and others the opportunity to work in the industry.
We all have a role; everyone is just as
“We all owe him a ‘thank you’; we want
important. I always compare it to a
to continue that legacy of hard, honest
football team: you need quarterbacks,
work and excellent craftsmanship,” Dale
receivers and defensive linemen. If
says. “It’s been difficult the last seven
you’re weak in one area, you’re not
years, but we’re hoping to turn a corner.
successful. Our company has good
The energy sector is not going away, and
coaches and good personnel down to
we will work in a respectful, responsible,
the frontline.”
clean manner.”