Summer 2009
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THOMAS DESIGN BUILDERS LTD Experts in Design and Construction
THE MAGAZINE FOR CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVES
Thomas Design Builders Ltd allowing for flexibility in design and budget decisions.
Experts in Design and Construction Produced by Cathleen Sachs & Written by Shelley Seyler Though the name may betray the craft of Thomas Design Builders LTD, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the success of this Winnipeg-based company. Like many leading businesses, Thomas Design Builders began as a small business and gradually grew into the successful and well-known company it is today, working throughout the western part of Canada. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thomas Design Builders was incorporated in 1980 and operates as a design build contractor for the industrial and commercial sectors. With its 15 employees headed by Jeffrey Miller, C.E.T., Trevor Miller, B.Comm (Hons.) and Ron Miller, C.E.T. and annual revenue of $20 million, Thomas Design Builders has the capacity to work on a wide spectrum of building types including steel, wood, concrete, masonry, and pre-engineered buildings. The company’s employees have the innate ability to identify the unique needs of each client and closely match these requirements with the expertise that Thomas Design Builders provides.
Services and Operations As a design build company, each project completed includes both the design and construction phases. The Thomas Design Builders team offers experts in design, engineering, drafting, and on-site supervision. The project management team offers customers hands-on involvement throughout the process
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Canadian Executive Journal
Summer Edition 2009
Most important for its customer service, Thomas Design Builders ensures that projects are expedited for the specific needs of a customer. Once the Scope of Work has been determined and the project costs are agreed upon, Thomas Design Builders has the ability to utilize a “Fast Track” approach to design so construction can commence while final working drawings are being completed, an approach which saves time and money. Thomas Design Builders is also equipped to provide competitive bids on projects that have been prepared by others. Thanks to its experienced personnel and reputation in the industry, Thomas Design Builders is able to work with top-notch subcontractors that allow for some of the best pricing in the industry. When it comes to the planning stages of a project, the company can do it all. Offering site plan drawings, Thomas Design Builders can help with the site selection process to make sure the best option is chosen. They have the capabilities to transform two-dimensional drawings into 3D perspectives so that owners can visualize how their new facility will appear when completed. The company also completes comprehensive budget estimates for projects, allowing clients the ability to determine the feasibility of the project. Thomas Design Builders recognizes the importance of excellent working relations with project sub-trades to deliver the best project results available. “They need to have an understanding of the design build process. We also look to performance, pricing and the manpower necessary to complete the job,” says President Jeff Miller. Thomas Design Builders is an authorized builder for both Robertson and Behlen Building Systems. These buildings have various components, which allow for different designs, thermal systems, cost efficiencies and rapid construction durations for many projects.
Key Personnel Jeff Miller, C.E.T. President - holds a diploma from Red River
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College in Design & Construction Technology and many years of estimating and project management experience.
program with local Post Secondary Institutions in Winnipeg, Manitoba to be able to recruit the top employees.
Ron Miller, C.E.T. General Manager - has held various positions within the construction industry and came to Thomas Design Builders with 35 years of experience in design building and real estate development
Safety and Projects
Trevor Miller, B.Comm (Hons.), Treasurer - earned an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba and is responsible for project management and new business development utilizing his previous experiences within the construction industry. When looking for new staff, Thomas Design Builders relies on word-of-mouth recommendations but also has a recruitment
Thomas Design Builders is a COR certified (Certificate of Recognition) company and elevates the importance of safety as one of the most important tenets of the business. COR is becoming a standard throughout Canada; some owners in Manitoba and other areas of the western part of the country even going so far as to make it mandatory. COR has set standards that need to be maintained in order for Thomas Design Builders to keep its certification. The company undergoes internal audits every year to keep up to date on all safety issues.
Providing Customer Satisfaction Since 1959
Quality Mechanical ServiceS ltd. Tel: (204)632-8811
Roofing (2000) Ltd.
Insulated Metal Panel Built-Up Roofing Metal Roof Decking Re-Roofing Roofing Maintenance Applicators of Metal Roofing Asphalt Shingles E P D M Roofing Modified Bitumen Pre-finished Metal Wall Siding & Cladding
Roofing Specialists
Fax: (204)489-5388
Fax: (204)489-5388 l Air Conditioning Refrigeration l Electrical l 24hr. Service PREvEnTATivE MAinTEnAnCE & QuAliTy SERviCE GuARAnTEEd “Thank you for your business, present and future. Our team will keep servicing you at the highest level of quality and satisfaction.”
(204) 233-3716
Supplying electrical and mechanical services to Thomas Design on several projects. Design build and engineered.
tranr@shaw.ca www.transconaroofing.com
106 - D Scurfirld Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1G4
Fax: (204) 235-1814
992 Dugald Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 0G9
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Current Projects Thomas Design Builders most recently completed a stateof-the-art facility for Granny’s Poultry that included geothermal systems, the expansion to Friesens’ Corporation and Printing Facility and Login Canada Global Textbook Distributor Centre. Thomas Design Builders has also begun a renovation project for the largest Smitty’s in Canada. The company is also in the planning stages for a Fairfield Marriott project that will be a six-storey 120-room hotel.
Facing the Challenges “We are very well positioned,” says Ron Miller, expecting to experience one to two percent growth in the next year. That said, Thomas Design Builders is faced with the challenge of recruiting the new generation into the industry. With many of its long-term employees set to retire relatively soon, the Batt Insulation company is foraging for the “young, bright minds” that can Vapout Barrier further move the company forward.
Steel Stud In the face of today’s economic crisis and the ever-increasing Drywall pressure to go green, Thomas Design Builders is determined Taping to be a competitive Acoustic Ceilingsfactor in the construction industry for many years to come with the decisions that are made today.
COMPANY AT A GLANCE Established : 1980 Employees : 15 Annual Revenue : $20 Million www.thomasdesignbuilders.ca
FAWCETT CONSTRUCTION LTD.
Batt Insulation Vapour Barrier Steel Stud Drywall Taping Acoustic Ceilings
204.482.3669
Box 13, East Selkirk, MB R0E 0M0
Fawcett Construction Ltd is proud of the association with Thomas Design Builders Ltd suppling and installing Steel Studs, Drywall, Acoustical Ceilings for their projects. As well as the challanges of Design Built and Pre-Engineered Buildings from the planning stage to final completion.
FAWCETT CONSTRUCTION LTD.
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Summer 2009
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Thomas Design Builders Ltd 430-D Dovercourt Drive Winnipeg, Manitoba R3Y 1N4 Canada