EMBRACING EXCELLENCE AND ENDURANCE
OCL Group’s legacy is built on vision and values, aiming to create a better future in industrial infrastructure and general contracting. Vice President, Gregory Jones, discusses the company’s commitment to supporting communities and contributing to a greener, cleaner Canada
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Kierron Rose
Western Canada, which comprises the provinces of British Columbia (BC), Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, is home to a diverse range of industries.
Among these, Alberta, in particular, is renowned for its thriving energy sector, encompassing oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources.
Integral to this industry is OCL Group (OCL), who specializes in designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure for the region’s most significant energy and resource companies.
Established with the core mission of improving project implementation and nurturing a positive team culture, the company stands as a pioneering force in the field, dedicated to forging long-term relationships with clients, communities, partners, and team members.
Delivering multidisciplinary general contractor solutions, OCL’s expertise spans various sectors including renewable and transitional energy, power and utilities, and upstream oil and gas.
Additionally, the company is active within the downstream petrochemical, mining and agriculture, midstream and transportation, industrial and commercial, forestry, and pulp and paper sectors.
What truly distinguishes OCL is its employee ownership model, a unique approach that not only drives motivation and performance among the workforce but also fosters a more engaged team, leading to stronger connections with clients, co-workers, and communities.
“Our structure provides a unique advantage, fostering a culture of engagement, collaboration, and long-term focus, leading to improved employee satisfaction, decisionmaking, client service, and community involvement,” introduces Gregory Jones, Vice President of OCL.
The company’s unwavering belief in its employees as its greatest asset is evident in its efforts to motivate and incentivize the workforce, ensuring their satisfaction and well-being.
“Besides offering a lucrative compensation package, we strive to provide the latest technologies, tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. Moreover, our recruitment process prioritizes candidates that reflect our values of safety, partnership, excellence, innovation, and fun,” he states.
CANADIAN FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are constitutionally granted recognition and protection of their Aboriginal and treaty rights.
OCL, therefore, acknowledges the imperative to establish inclusive, respectful, and equitable working environments, taking into consideration human rights and the local inhabitants within the areas of its operations.
As such, the company is committed to supporting Indigenous-owned organizations and First Nations communities. As a people-oriented business, OCL prioritizes welfare in everything it does, promoting a strong team culture and fostering
“THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED THROUGH FIRST NATIONS OR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. THIS IS A POINT OF GREAT PRIDE FOR US AND A REFLECTION OF OUR VISION”
– GREGORY JONES, VICE PRESIDENT, OCL GROUP
lifelong connections with Indigenous communities.
“The majority of our business is conducted through First Nations or community partnerships. This is a point of great pride for us and a reflection of our vision. Every community and every project is unique, which is why our approach is to listen, collaborate, and invest. OCL strives to create inclusive, respectful, and equitable working environments – mindful of Indigenous communities, municipalities, and residents local to the regions in which we operate,” Jones impassions.
In partnership with First Nations, including the West Moberly First Nation and Fort McMurray 468 First
Nation, the company has helped bring socioeconomic growth to the area’s Indigenous people, with benefits including improved education, housing, healthcare, and employment.
A Cree and Chipewyan band government located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation is a member of the Athabasca Tribal Council and a Treaty 8 nation.
West Moberly First Nations is a community located in northeast BC. The community is a signatory to Treaty 8 and is comprised of Dunne-za and Cree cultures.
OCL’s commitment to fostering long-lasting, mutually beneficial
OCL FACTS AND FIGURES
• Established in 2009.
• 1,200+ employees
• CAD$500,000 – 150 MILLION project size.
• SERVICES – Engineering, procurement, pipeline integrity and construction, facility construction, civil and earthworks, marine capabilities, fabrication, and maintenance.
• LOCAL ORGANIZATION
DONATIONS – Camrose Peewee Wild, MKD The Space, Anzac Recreational & Social Society, Spartan Coyotes, Anzac Lil’ Wolves, Fort McMurray Knights RFC, Saskatoon Giants AAA Baseball, Bantam Elite, Willow Lake Community Association, and Portage College student scholarships through the Pembina Golf Tournament.
relationships with Indigenous communities is underpinned by its respect for First Nations Peoples’ legal and constitutional rights as well as their land and natural resources.
Across all its activities, the company is dedicated to enhancing understanding through employee awareness programs and building and maintaining respectful, trusting, and meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities, positively contributing to their overall well-being.
Furthermore, OCL’s HR department constantly explores new approaches to improve its methods for recruiting, retaining, and fostering the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples within the workforce.
As an ally, the company actively engages with the broader Indigenous community to ensure access to socioeconomic benefits through partnerships, training, education,
employment, procurement, capacity-building, business development, and community programming.
MANUFACTURING A NET ZERO ZONE
A significant milestone for OCL involves The Dow Chemical Company’s (Dow) Path2Zero project in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
The Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero project aims to construct the world’s first net zero emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility.
This initiative is expected to generate between 6,000 and 7,000 jobs during peak construction and up to 500 full-time positions once fully operational.
“As a leading construction and engineering company, OCL is proud to contribute to Dow’s ambitious Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero project,” Jones enthuses.
OCL’S GREEN COMMITMENTS
The company conducts operations with environmental protection and sustainability in mind and is dedicated to a proactive approach that minimizes its impact. OCL understands the risks its activities pose and ensures considerations are made on every project. These include:
• Complying with environmental laws and industry standards.
• Considering the environment in the planning process of every project.
• Operating all facilities, vehicles, and equipment with consideration for their impact on the environment.
• Responding to and resolving environmental emergencies quickly and efficiently.
• Maintaining good environmental business practices that mitigate the adverse effects of its operations.
• Acknowledging and remaining sensitive to the concerns of the public and communities.
• Committing resources to training employees and protecting the environment.
“AS A LEADING CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, OCL IS PROUD TO CONTRIBUTE TO DOW’S AMBITIOUS FORT SASKATCHEWAN PATH 2 ZERO PROJECT”
– GREGORY JONES, VICE PRESIDENT, OCL GROUP
Dow has outlined a clear path to decarbonize its manufacturing facilities while emphasizing Alberta’s growing global leadership in emissions-reducing technology like carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).
“OCL’s involvement in such a high-profile and innovative project solidifies our position at the forefront of the industry. Completing this major project will trailblaze a path
toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and creating a more sustainable future,” he highlights.
To achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the project will convert the site’s cracker off-gas to hydrogen, which will be used as clean fuel to supply the site’s furnaces.
Additionally, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be captured and stored, significantly reducing the company’s GHG footprint.
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• Procurement and transportation of materials
Hydrotesting
• Internal/External coatings for pipe, tanks, and vessels
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Mechanical & Pressure Work
Fabrication
GT
GT
Pump station and meter station skid packages
Procurement and transportation of materials
Internal/External coatings for pipe, tanks,
to request a quote
Alongside the Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero project, OCL strategically invests in the expansion of its fabrication and coating services.
“This will enable us to fabricate large modules at our rail-accessible facility, significantly increasing capacity, service offering, and geographic reach,” informs Jones.
VALUABLE VENTURES
everyone’s understanding of the operation.
Moreover, project execution teams can update the plan to accommodate construction changes, allowing for greater clarity and collaboration.
Structural & Custom Fabrication
OCL particularly enjoys working on projects that leverage a combination of technological innovation and deep industry knowledge to create value.
“We are currently using cmBuilder to visualize a project execution plan during the preconstruction stage to identify constraints or issues. By adding time phasing to a 3D model, our 4D plan can quickly communicate the path to project completion to new team members,” reveals Jones.
P 780.434.8721 | rob@gtmetal.com contact Mike Stewart to request a quote P 780.434.8721 | mike@gtmetal.com
“We are excited to see project execution teams working together with clients to develop contingency plans when changes occur. Looking forward, we also see opportunities for productivity gains and improved safety by integrating our planning tools with artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.”
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• Module fabrication
• Pipe rack systems in tank farms and plants
Over the past decade, Canada has faced a productivity crisis, with labor productivity growth lagging behind the US since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Other custom fabricated structures
cmBuilder is a construction site logistics platform that provides 4D cloud-based workflows, aligning
According to recent data, there has been a particular decline in labor productivity in the construction industry. Indeed, an ATB Financial economic report has linked this slowdown to a decrease in business investment.
However, the company sees an opportunity for strategic investment in equipment, technologies, and tools to improve labor productivity.
“OCL is focused on expanding its geographic reach in the Northern BC and Saskatchewan markets.
“We expect to have an investment announcement related to this expansion in either 2024 or 2025.
We believe the communities in these provinces are ripe for business investments that will improve labor productivity and safety,” Jones concludes.
Tel: (403)982-9090 info@oclgroup.ca www.oclgroup.ca
