August 2014 Business in Edmonton

August 2014 $3.50 businessinedmonton.com

Fearless:

DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND Time to Build Edmonton’s high-flying construction industry continues to scale new heights.

The Smart Province Alberta’s innovative, high-performing education sector continues to be one of the province’s best-kept secrets.

Alternative Energy Confusion

Emerging Technology Trends: Edmonton Leads the Way with Emerging Technologies

SECTION CONTENTS TITLE

AUGUST 2014 | VOL. 03 #08

View our elect ronic issue of this mon th’s mag azin e onlin e at www .busi nessi nedm onto n.com

Regulars Each and every month

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OFF THE TOP

Features

Looking sharp, being smart, taking charge and innovating - get informed and inspired with this issue of Business in Edmonton.

Fresh News Across all Sectors

77 EDMONTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Cover FEARLESS: DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON Sit down, buckle up and get ready to meet one of the most fearless woman in Edmonton.

Company Profiles

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39 R AYWALT

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

Celebrating 35 Years of Customer-Focused Service and Success

47

J & J ELECTRIC LTD.

BY MARK KANDBORG

Bringing You Electricity with Heart for 55 Years

53 ADVANCED ROOFING SYSTEMS LTD.

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

Celebrates 25 Years

57 CLARK ENGINEERING INC.

BY MARK KANDBORG

Making a Difference Through Innovative HVAC Design

Features

61 V ESTATE MOULDING LTD.

BY MARK KANDBORG

Turning Passion into Beauty for 15 Years

65 E CONSTRUCTION LTD.

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20 TIME TO BUILD

BY BEN FREELAND

BY MARK KANDBORG

Edmonton’s high-flying construction

Building Better Roads for 60 Years

industry continues to scale new heights.

August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

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OFF THE TOP

NEWS FROM THE MONTH

Features

PUBLISHER BUSINESS IN EDMONTON INC.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Brent Trimming

brent@businessinedmonton.com

continued

Looking sharp, being smart, taking charge and innovating - get informed and inspired with this issue of Business in Edmonton.

EDITOR Nerissa McNaughton

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Nerissa McNaughton

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION

BY JOHN HARDY

What’s the real reason?

COPY EDITORS Nikki Mullett

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ART DIRECTOR Jessi Evetts

jessi@businessinedmonton.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Cher Compton

Cole Ottmann

ADMINISTRATION Nancy Bielecki info@businessinedmonton.com

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Mark Kandborg Ben Freeland Rechell McDonald Fay Fletcher

Nerissa McNaughton James Cumming John Hardy

PHOTOGRAPHY Cover photo by Epic Photography Inc.

ADVERTISING SALES Jane Geng Evelyn Dehner Renee Neil

jane@businessinedmonton.com evelyn@businessinedmonton.com renee@businessinedmonton.com

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mark@businessinedmonton.com joanne@businessinedmonton.com

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28 THE SMART PROVINCE

32 IF THE SHOE FITS... YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT | BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

Advice for men on how to put their best foot forward.

36 E DMONTON LEADS THE WAY WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES | BY RECHELL MCDONALD

Edmonton is a burgeoning frontier for more things than just oil and gas. In fact, the city has become well known for the great minds that it produces and attracts who are responsible for making some fantastic technological breakthroughs.

72 LEADERS OF TOMORROW 2014 AWARDS GALA PHOTOS 74 EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | BY JAMES CUMMING

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. #1780, 10020 - 101 A Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3G2

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| BY BEN FREELAND

Alberta’s innovative, high-performing education sector continues to be one of the province’s best-kept secrets.

August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

OFF THE TOP

NEWS FROM THE MONTH

4 MODEL AVAILABLES

TECHNOLOGY

THE LITTLE SQUARE THAT’S MAKING A BIG IMPACT ON EDMONTON ENTREPRENEURS

Many Edmonton startups are happy to share their frustration about collecting payments. Companies must either deal with cash, which has fallen far out of vogue in this era of debit, credit and even Bitcoin, or sign up for a point-ofsale system (POS). Even though POS systems have become mobile (for example, you can order a pizza and pay by debit at your door), the costs and particulars of owning and transporting a traditional POS system are problematic for most emerging businesses. Jack Dorsey saw this situation play out when his friend, artist Jim McKelvey, was unable to accept a lucrative job because he could not accept a credit card payment. Dorsey thought, “There has to be a better way.” There wasn’t; so he created one.

Enter Square. It’s a small device that plugs directly into the auxiliary port of your smartphone. Add the free downloadable app and you’ve got yourself a mobile POS. Fees are per transaction, so you only pay for usage when you need it. It’s an ingenious solution for a real problem – but we shouldn’t be surprised. Dorsey is, after all, the man behind Twitter. Creative thinking is what he does best.

Square hit the U.S. market in 2009 and didn’t reach Canada until 2012, but when it did, Canadians latched onto Square like it was floatation device in a rough sea.

When Square decided to tap into international markets, Canada was the first choice. “We learned from Canadian sellers that this product was definitely needed in Canada,” says Semonti Stephens, Square’s spokesperson, of the company’s decision to choose Canada over other markets. Their research was correct. Square took off like a shot. “In Canada, what we actually found was quite interesting,” says Stephens. “In Canada, Square is growing even faster than when we launched in the U.S. [Since 2012], 15 per cent of all businesses in Canada have signed up with Square.”

In addition to allowing even the smallest startup business to accept and process credit cards, Square has taken care of another small-business headache: the dreaded deposit hold. “A lot of payment processing companies will put a hold on large amounts of money, and that delays what the small business owner can do,” informs Stephens.

“They need that money quickly. They earned it. For example, a catering company gets a lump sum because they need to buy ingredients. We’ve removed that. We founds different ways make this work for the Canadian user.”

Square takes between one to two business days to transfer payment funds to a linked bank account. Fees are 2.75 per cent for a swipe transaction and 3.5 per cent plus .15 cents for a manually entered transaction. The Square is free, as is the app you need to run it. There are no contracts, sign-up fees, activation fees, cancellation fees, bank routing fees, or inactivity fees.

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www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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Business-to-Business Products and Services Mark Repchinsky Advance Coating Solutions Inc. Edmonton, Alberta Cal Fairbanks, David Bischoff ComplyWorks Ltd. Calgary, Alberta Al Side Side Group of Companies Grand Prairie, Alberta Ken Greer Western Ag Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Business-to-Consumer Products and Services Roger Newton The Canadian Brewhouse Edmonton, Alberta Harry Sunner, Joe Sunner Durabuilt Windows & Doors Edmonton, Alberta Brent Zettl Prairie Plant Systems Inc. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Emerging Entrepreneur James Bachynsky Calgary Shooting Centre Calgary, Alberta Craig Howes, Heather Murphy Go Tire Inc. Red Deer, Alberta Danielle Bragge The Headhunters Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta Regan Davis, Bailey Epp, Stephen Glanville STEP Energy Services Ltd. Calgary, Alberta

Energy Services

Real Estate and Construction

Pat Wilson Camex Equipment Sales & Rentals Inc. Nisku, Alberta

Sjoerd Huese, Travis Penner Bridge Road Construction Ltd. Winkler, Manitoba

Mike Dunn Enerbuilt Technologies Inc. Nisku, Alberta

Justin Bobier Crystal Creek Homes Calgary, Alberta

Alvin Pyke Helical Pier Systems Ltd. Sherwood Park, Alberta

Radhe Gupta Rohit Group of Companies Edmonton, Alberta

Quinn Holtby Katch Kan Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta

Philip Milroy Westcorp Edmonton, Alberta

Manufacturing

Technology and Communications

Steve Parsons Inovata Foods Corp.

Edmonton, Alberta Mike Fata Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods Winnipeg, Manitoba Dan Leckelt, Lindsey Leckelt Silent-Aire Manufacturing Inc. Edmonton, Alberta

Audrey Brattberg, Elmer Brattberg, Holly Brattberg, Susan Brattberg Global eTraining and the Brattberg Group Edmonton, Alberta Greg Chudiak, David Beresford Pandell Calgary, Alberta

Oil and Gas

Jory Lamb VistaVu Solutions Inc. Calgary, Alberta

Wayne King Grit Industries Inc. Lloydminster, Alberta

Wayne Karpoff Willowglen Systems Inc. Edmonton, Alberta

Bill McCaffrey MEG Energy Calgary, Alberta

Special Citation — Social Entrepreneur

Muthu Palanisamy Metalcare Group Inc. Fort McMurray, Alberta

Shaun Loney BUILD and others Winnipeg, Manitoba

Professional and Financial Services Greg Burghardt Arrow Engineering Inc. Edmonton, Alberta Laurie Goldberg People Corporation Winnipeg, Manitoba Greg Sutton, Marnee Brick TinyEYE Therapy Services Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

OFF THE TOP

NEWS FROM THE MONTH

SQUARE CONVERTS SMARTPHONES INTO POS SYSTEMS. PHOTO COURTESY OF SQUARE.

Square is adding new products such as Square Stand, a stand that converts your iPad into a POS for your store’s countertop. It takes up minimal room and you can sign the digital credit card slip with your finger. There is also Square inventory management, which will be available in Canada later this year. BIE ENERGY

AT A CROSSROADS: NOTES FROM THE ENERGY VISIONS FORUM

On May 30, Edmonton welcomed the fourth-Annual Energy Visions Business Forum, organized by PwC. This year’s forum title, At a Crossroads, underlined the importance of the industry.

The panel included PwC’s own national energy leader, Reynold Tetzlaff, Robert “RJ” Johnston of Eurasia Group, and Robert Skinner, former assistant deputy minister of energy commodities.

Setting the stage for the discussion, Tetzlaff underlined that Canada continues to be overly reliant on the

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

United States, with over 90 per cent of all oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports going across the border. This restricts Canada’s capacity in competing with other countries as access to easy oil diminishes in what the speaker called a “technological oil era.” Three areas – high labour cost, high material cost and uncompetitive royalty costs – are where Canada is visibly lagging behind other countries, especially given the rising role of centrally planned economies in the oil market, said the expert.

Continuing the topic of Canada’s ability to compete with others, Johnston noted that racing against the U.S. is not reasonable, while Australia, East Africa and Russia were within Canada’s reach. Achieving transport parity for its oil and LNG should be Canada’s top priority, which is why in reference to the Keystone XL debacle, Johnston assured the audience that “industry and government will find a way to overcome these hurdles,” while the new Quebec government may play a positive role as well. In the discussion that followed, both Johnston and Skinner agreed

OFF THE TOP

NEWS FROM THE MONTH

that rail delivery of energy products is not the optimal solution and any long-term planning should be based on pipelines.

A difference of opinion was seen when discussing a major event that Alberta needs to prepare for: a change in the U.S. policy allowing export of condensate. While Johnston noted that the shift would not require a major legislative change and could occur sooner rather than later, Skinner was highly critical of the Obama administration as one “incapable of a decision” and “destroying a long history of North American pipeline cooperation.”

Mirroring Tetzlaff’s words on Canadian over-reliance on the American market, Johnston underlined that when it comes to LNG, the US can supply their needs internally, which means that Canada should focus on upstream instead of delivery if it is to be in tune with the times. The expert also listed other directions, such as working to meet China’s growing demand for LNG as it moves away from coal, participation in various Australian projects, and being more active globally before Tanzania and Mozambique become true competitors in the region.

The controversial role of government in the oil and gas sector was discussed at length. While the rule of law and best use of technology were noted by Johnston as Canada’s advantages globally, the ambiguous federal-provincial coordination and openness to foreign ‘sovereign’ capital were seen as major weaknesses. Skinner, on the other hand, rejected the idea of a national energy strategy, as Canada is “politically, structurally, socially not made to do it.” Answering a related question from the audience, both speakers noted that state-owned enterprises are a reality around the world, thus it would be hard to not let them work on projects here in Canada.

At the conclusion of the forum, the panellists were asked to share their thoughts on what Alberta’s next premier should focus on in their first year. Tetzlaff and Johnston stressed the need to know more about the impact oil and LNG

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projects make in communities, while Skinner urged the next government to “stop apologizing and making unreasonable international commitments.” Johnston underlined the need for “aggressive, politically risky measures” if Canada is to renew its momentum. BIE DIGITAL ARTS

LEARN FROM GURU: CHECKING IN ON THE DIGITAL ARTS COLLEGE’S NEWEST PROGRAM

Guru is defined as a teacher or guide, which is why the name Guru Digital Arts College is so very apt for this Edmonton post-secondary institution. Their newest program, the digital illustration and sequential art diploma, is entering its second year.

“We have seen the program gain significant popularity with a variety of learners ranging from recent high school graduates to graduates from the University of Alberta and MacEwan University,” says execu-

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www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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OFF THE TOP

NEWS FROM THE MONTH

GURU FACULTY, STUDENTS AND SOME PAST GRADS AT AN EVENT THEY CO-HOSTED WITH THE JUBILEE AUDITORIA SOCIETY.

tive director Owen Brierley. “Part of the attraction of the program is the mentored studio experience. It is hard to develop skills by listening to someone talk about the work.

You need to get to work and have someone who you respect and trust to guide you towards your goal. At Guru, we have a saying, ‘we are a guide on the side, rather than a sage on the stage.’ As well, our illustrators don’t start working on computers right away. We need to enhance their manual drawing skills first. I often say, ‘a computer will make you faster, not better.’ We take the time to make sure our students are able to produce good work without a computer, and then we introduce the digital component, and the sky is the limit.”

So far, the program has been a success. Brierley says.

“Graduates from the illustration program find themselves working as designer/illustrators for media companies, editorial illustrators, concept artists for game studios, architectural and medical illustrators. One of our more enterprising grads is developing a business that visualizes ideas during corporate board meetings.”

Guru’s other full-time programs include: digital media production diploma, 3D modelling and animation production diploma, and video game design diploma. “All of our programs follow a similar pattern of delivery that we have found to be very effective,” says Brierley. “We use three phases: foundation, implementation and specialization. Foundation is the getting up to speed phase that

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

orients the class to the tools, techniques and philosophies of their discipline. Implementation contextualizes the concepts learned during the foundation phase by applying them to mentor-guided projects. Lastly, the students take over their learning path in the specialization phase by deciding what projects they want to do. These projects are mentored by the faculty and while the student is in the driver’s seat, the faculty is there to provide support and ensure the learner is having a valuable and memorable learning experience.”

The skills students learn at Guru are applicable for every industry. Guru graduates have an average 80 per cent job success rate and have found employment with the Government of Alberta, City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library, Bioware, United Way, Northlands, West Edmonton Mall, Alberta Motor Association, Fluik Entertainment, Yardstick Software, Prairie Dog Film and Television, Odvod Media, Beamdog Games, Lift Interactive, Castle Rock Research and Carrington Homes, to name a few.

Guru has not seen a drop in enrolment since 2008, and is quick to recognize the role their programs play in today’s marketplace. The college’s next step is to address digital media instruction at the high school level. “Guru is on a mission to work with high schools and help teachers deliver strongly supported outcomes that relate to the needs and future growth of the digital media industries,” concludes Brierley. BIE

COVER

FEARLESS: DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND

Fearless:

DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND Sit down, buckle up and get ready to meet one of the most fearless woman in Edmonton.

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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COVER

FEARLESS: DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND

fear [feer]

noun 1. An unpleasant emotion. A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something. Fifty-three per cent: The amount of Canadians not working in their dream job or industry, according to a recent poll by the Bank of Montreal. Success: The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

Dolores [doh-lawr-is] Eaton [eet-n]

fearless woman 1. A fearless, successful woman presiding over the company of her dreams as the owner, founder and CEO.

D

olores Eaton is the founder and owner of Ivis Inc., and while women in business is not the hot-button topic it used to be – the ladies do, after all, make up a solid third of Canada’s entrepreneurial workforce – the type of work Eaton does catches both men and women off guard. Ivis offers underground utility solutions, such as utility locating, sewer camera inspections, hydrovacing, high-pressure flushing, main line lining, manhole lining, laterals and cured-in-place T-liners. Work is done with a $5 million fleet comprised of 12 flusher trucks, three boiler trucks, nine camera vans, four service trucks, and three rail trucks. The fleet includes the Tridem a triple-axle feat of engineering that does flushing, hydrovacing and has blowers that can vacuum for over 750 feet. Her staff of engineers, equipment operators, administrators and shop management numbers over 50. Yet she makes running this massive show look as easy as a stroll through a park on a sunny afternoon.

It’s the end of the day and the trucks are coming home.

The fleet has been busy all day in Edmonton and across Alberta. Eaton is prepping for this interview, but doesn’t miss a beat. As she strolls the only way she knows how – with all the confidence of a self-made woman – through the shop, she pauses to talk to each operator as they park and disembark. “How did it go out there today? I heard there was a problem. What do you think the issue was?” She engages with each staff member, keeping a firm grasp on the many situations of the day while giving her staff time to explain and offer their ideas and solutions. Eaton offers her solutions too. She can because she’s worked in every one of those positions. She’s put cameras in sewer lines, hydrovaced, set liners and made good use of her class 3 licence.

It all started with a question. Eaton was working with a man and helping him out on the job. She did the flushing while he did the camera work. As soon as she saw the camera equipment, she was intrigued. “I found it interesting,” she remembers. “I asked him if you needed to go to school to learn how to do the camera work. He replied, ‘A women in this business? No man would ever deal with a woman!’”

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

In time things changed, but her love endured. Her love of the job, that is. She took a course and learned how to do utility locates. “It took off from there,” Eaton says casually with a wave of her hand that encompasses the two massive shops and custom-built dual-storey sprawling office complex. “I didn’t have any problems.”

She certainly didn’t have any problems being “a woman in that business.” Eaton is a petite, ladylike woman. Even in her heels she barely clears the shoulder height of most of her staff; but the respect she garners is evident. As her assistant Judy says, “I forget she’s not tall. When she walks into a room she commands it. She has a presence.”

Presence or not, no entrepreneur escapes the jitters that come with starting a new business. Eaton had those jitters too, although she pretty much ignored them so she could get on with the business of building Ivis. She launched the company in 1996 with one truck and her house as the base of operations. Within a year and a half she built enough inventory to invest in a shop and moved to 116 Avenue and 156 Street. The single bay filled up in two years, so she moved to 170 Street and 128 Avenue and rented two bays. “I said these should be good for at least five years,” laughs Eaton. Ivis outgrew that space in two. Despite renting adjacent bays, by 2008 four bays and a fenced yard couldn’t hold the burgeoning company, so she settled the staff and trucks into their present location at 16908-128 A Avenue. Within a year she had to expand the shops. “At first my office was three trailers,” she says of the time she was too busy housing and working the fleet to focus on the office space, “but in 2012 we started building the office building.” Although the office is beautiful, well laid out and sports generously proportioned workspaces, Ivis just keeps on growing and Eaton figures she’s only two years away from leaving the new office behind and moving the entire operation to a larger location.

But let’s go back those jitters. “I started off with small equipment and I was nervous!” Eaton claims of that first year of business. “I was terrified that I would fail. I had taken business courses so I knew that the first five years were

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COVER

FEARLESS: DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND

HYDROVAC TRUCKS READY FOR ACTION. INSET: ONE OF EATON’S DOGS, CASPER, MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME IN THE OFFICE.

TOP: A RELINE TRUCK IS ONE OF MANY IN THE SHOP. BOTTOM: A CCTV TRUCK.

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

the highest risk for failure. I really strived to make sure that I did the work myself so I could learn the whole industry before I hired other people. I spent a lot of time alone. The only people I had around me at that time were my customers. I was in the field. I was the dispatcher, the employee, the accountant. I did it all.”

She hired her first employee, her son, in 1998. When she moved to her first shop she added four more employees for a total staff count of five. Turnover was, and still is, a problem. “The oilpatch offers more incentive,” she sighs. “The difference of 50 cents per hour on a paycheque is enough to make some people go. That makes it difficult to keep people employed.” She did not, however, give up and it paid off. The projects came rolling in.

“The first project I did that I felt really amazed about was a manhole lining. Even with the other things I’ve done, the manhole projects I did with the City were incredible. We did the deepest manhole in north America (65 feet) and we were the youngest installer in North America to do that manhole lining. It was on a major roadway (114 Avenue and 97 Street) with traffic whizzing by, but we didn’t have any problems. It went smoothly.”

COVER

FEARLESS: DOLORES EATON DRIVES HER BUSINESS WITH A CONFIDENT, STEADY HAND

In a world where women can achieve notoriety, fame and fortune by acting like a spoiled socialite, being a histrionic housewife on a reality show or buying or inheriting a ready-made franchise, Eaton’s story is as refreshing as it is necessary.

Her fearless, can-do attitude is a reminder for both genders that determination and a strong will can turn your daydreams into reality.

Although Ivis works in the public, private and residential sectors, the City of Edmonton has been a major client.

“When we first started doing camera work for the city, we cameraed 180 kilometres of sewer pipes in one year. We went from doing 25 kilometres to 180 kilometres. They didn’t think we could do it, but we did!”

In addition to lining mains and T-lining (which is not a general labour job and requires a special licence) for the City of Edmonton, Ivis’ trucks can be seen all over Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan performing their work at the hands of skilled equipment operators, who work in collaboration with the office administration, all under the watchful eye of the experienced, passionate Eaton.

Don’t be fooled, however. This lady has a sense of humour. Look high up on the hose of the vacuum trucks and you’ll see the words “Our Business Sucks.”

Successful, sense of humour and stylish (Purple highlights in her hair? Check.) But we’re not done with the attributes.

We have to add “giving” and “humble” to the list too.

“I think NAIT is great,” says Eaton. So great that Ivis recently pledged half a million dollars in funding and support for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) students and programs. Ivis is also a big supporter of Junior Achievement. “You’d be amazed at some of those kids, how creative they are at a business.

And they’re not very old!” she says of the high school students in the program. “It’s nice to see.” Ivis also contributes to the University of Alberta, allowing students to work at the company so they can complete their thesis on various divisions of the business.

As for the humility, this self-made businesswoman who holds her own in a male-dominated industry is the last person to sing her own praises. “My staff is the biggest asset I have,” she says with a grateful smile. “I could have all the equipment in the world, but without my staff I wouldn’t be where I am.”

She’s come a long, long way from that simple question that started it all, but she’s not done yet. Now that things are running smoothly and predictably, Eaton is poised to shake things up again. “I think we are going to be expanding substantially into the lining industry. I’d like to expand a little more and get more of my equipment working, so I think we are growing on the aspect of the lining division right now.

It’s kind of been sitting. We’ve worked harder on the service side than the lining side because that’s more project-orientated than the work that we do on a daily basis.” One has to admit, following her instincts has never steered Eaton wrong. If lining is where it’s at, lining is where she’ll go; and doubtless, the projects will follow.

Eaton has never let fear hold her back and she has yet to back down from a challenge. Hearing that she would never be taken seriously in this industry inspired, not stopped her; but she is always aware of how she can be perceived in a field where testosterone runs rampant. “You can’t make any mistakes,” she says firmly. “You have to be better than the average person that gets into this. Guys can make mistakes. Women can’t. They come down harder on you if you make a mistake on a job.” Then she softens and smiles, “But that might just be my paranoia. Regardless, I give that extra service. I really try hard and that compensates for anything that might go wrong.”

In a world where women can achieve notoriety, fame and fortune by acting like a spoiled socialite, being a histrionic housewife on a reality show or buying or inheriting a ready-made franchise, Eaton’s story is as refreshing as it is necessary. Her fearless, can-do attitude is a reminder for both genders that determination and a strong will can turn your daydreams into reality.

You don’t need to be aggressive to be a woman in a man’s world, Eaton concludes. She says you just have to be “normal.” Be yourself, and be strong. “I don’t think they (women) should ever give up even though it is hard,” she says. “Find someone that can mentor you and work through the issues.

Strive to do the best that you can.”

So is there anything Eaton would do differently if she had the chance to go back and talk to her younger self? Is there anything she would change in her almost two decades of experience? She doesn’t even have to think about it. The answer is a firm and confident, “No.” Apparently she wouldn’t even tell her ex-beau how wrong he was. But then again, she doesn’t have to. As she gets up every day to go to a company she built and loves, two shops bursting with state-of-the-art equipment, projects lined up for months and staff who treat her with respect and adoration, she doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody. She just needs to keep being exactly who she is. Fearless. BIE

CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATION TIME TO BUILD

TIME TO BUILD Edmonton’s high-flying construction industry continues to scale new heights.

BY BEN FREELAND

I

n 2013 the Alberta Economic Development Framework released its latest statistics on the economic diversity of the province, and for many accustomed to seeing Alberta as a powerful but fragile economy perched on the unsteady shoulders of oil and gas, the results came as quite a surprise. While energy still occupies the largest single piece of the province’s economic pie, at 24.6 per cent it is far from the absolute majority it is often assumed to be, and less than double the slice represented by finance and real estate, which represents 13.5 per cent. The third largest sector? Construction – slightly edging business and commercial services at 10.7 per cent of Alberta’s economy.

This double-digit figure, up from eight per cent in 2008, is very good news for the city of Edmonton. A veritable construction industry pow-

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

erhouse, Edmonton is home to homegrown general contractors PCL, Ledcor, Bird Construction, and Clark Builders (now in partnership with US-based Turner Construction). Edmonton is also home to offices for other major national outfits based elsewhere, such as Graham, EllisDon, Stuart Olson Dominion, and over 50,000 skilled construction workers.

Moreover, Edmonton – for a long time akin to the shoemaker whose own children went barefoot – finally got around to applying its building moxie to itself. The result has been an unprecedented urban makeover in Alberta’s capital city that shows no signs of abating. This year Edmontonians await the opening of the Pearl, Edmonton’s new downtown jewel, which is poised to redefine the city’s skyline. Other projects further down the road, which include the new arena, the new Royal Alberta Museum,

CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATION

TIME TO BUILD

“Of course, the world economy continues to be a mystery and there are global forces outside our control, but these are very exciting times in Alberta’s construction scene, and people are saying if you’re not making it now there’s something seriously wrong with your business strategy.” ~ John McNicoll JOHN MCNICOLL.

the new downtown MacEwan Fine Arts campus and the new Blatchford neighbourhood (built atop the old City Centre Airport), mean no shortage of construction activity to come.

A year ago, Edmonton’s construction leaders were cautiously optimistic about their industry in the face of a brief ‘pause’ in activity. Fastforward to 2014 and this ‘cautious’ optimism appears to have given way to simple, unadulterated optimism.

“We’re all very excited about what we’re seeing right now,” asserts John McNicoll, executive director of the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA). “Of course, the world economy continues to be a mystery and there

are global forces outside our control, but these are very exciting times in Alberta’s construction scene, and people are saying if you’re not making it now there’s something seriously wrong with your business strategy.”

At present, demand for new construction is sky-high in all sectors in Alberta’s capital city. While skyrocketing home prices in Edmonton have triggered fears of a housing bubble, industry experts counter that rising prices have done nothing to curb demand, with house sales up six per cent in the first three months of 2014 and condo sales up 11 per cent for the same period. “Demand for housing in Edmonton has maintained a

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www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATION TIME TO BUILD

Like many Edmontonians, McNicoll is excited for this year’s big construction event: the opening of the Pearl Tower. Hailed as Edmonton’s premier new residential tower, the 35-storey structure will be Edmonton’s tallest residential building and stands to redefine the city’s post-City Centre Airport skyline.

nice, steady climb here in Edmonton,” says McNicoll. “We don’t have a boom-and-bust housing market here like in Vancouver or Toronto and this has helped us spearhead more predictable development. Moreover, the continuing influx of workers into the Edmonton region means that this steady demand for housing isn’t going away any time soon.”

Like many Edmontonians, McNicoll is excited for this year’s big construction event: the opening of the Pearl Tower. Hailed as Edmonton’s premier new residential tower, the 35-storey structure will be Edmonton’s tallest residential building and stands to redefine the city’s post-City Centre Airport skyline.

For McNicoll, the Pearl represents much more than a swath of new condos for Edmonton’s ever-expanding population. “The Pearl is a beautiful building and has people excited about our evolving skyline. Seeing it makes us smile. This building is a textbook example of how economic drivers, architecture, zoning and big dreams on the part of construction owners can collide to produce beautiful city developments that contribute to our culture and quality of life.”

McNicoll’s optimism is not limited to the mega-project front. Internally, within the construction industry it-

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self, he sees other promising trends.

In particular, the ECA executive director is excited to see increased standardization of public and private sector project tender listings in the COOLNet Alberta planning room – a development he likens to a return to the planning rooms of old.

“After years of ‘wandering in the wilderness,’ of fragmentation, everyone on their own plan and spec sharing systems, we are combining all our resources for the best single solution. This will mean owners, general contractors, subcontractors, unions, manufacturers and suppliers can share a single powerful system for their online projects.”

Technological advancements, particularly in the field of building information modelling (BIM), is also transforming the construction industry and bringing it into better alignment with the design side of the equation. Athabasca University’s new online B.Sc. in architecture, which is being launched this year, will be facilitated in part by the Edmonton Construction Association, which is contributing remote teaching spaces for the program. McNicoll sees this as part of a growing trend of collusion between construction and architecture, the catalyst for which has been the advent of 3D imaging.

CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATION

TIME TO BUILD

While past fears ranging from the so-called ‘bitumen bubble’ to an unsustainable housing market appear to have fallen by the wayside, the ever-present concern over worker shortages has not gone away – and has in fact heightened in the wake of recent consternations over the federal temporary foreign worker program.

“It’s only a matter of time before BIM completely overtakes 2D drawings,” he comments. “BIM adoption in Western Canada is still low compared to Europe and elsewhere, but many of our most high-profile projects here would have been impossible without it. The complex contours of the Art Gallery of Alberta and the new EIA central tower were made possible by 3D BIM technology, and the new arena is a grand showcase for this technology. At the ECA, we’re doing everything we can to facilitate adoption of this 21st century technology by smaller contractors who don’t have the time or the resources to adopt it on their own. It’s fast approaching, and our industry here in Edmonton needs to be ready for it in order to stay competitive.”

While past fears ranging from the so-called ‘bitumen bubble’ to an unsustainable housing market appear to have fallen by the wayside, the ever-present concern over worker shortages has not gone away – and has in fact heightened in the wake of recent consternations over the federal temporary foreign worker program. While anticipated worker shortages in Alberta are less acute than a year ago, McNicoll asserts that this industry, and the province as a whole, is far from out of

the woods. “The temporary foreign worker program was intended to fill the necessary manpower gaps in our economy,” he says. “Misuse and abuse has caused trouble for us all, but a cancellation of this program would be a serious blow to this industry. We still have a worker deficit in this province and if the program is cancelled, we need a replacement solution as soon as possible.”

Workforce worries aside, optimism continues to abound in Edmonton’s vibrant construction industry – an optimism buoyed by a seemingly never-ending parade of infrastructure projects and a newfound appetite for edifying design on the part of Edmonton’s citizenry. For McNicoll, the challenge for Edmonton’s construction contractors is to make a break from the industry silos of old and work in concert with the city’s many and varied stakeholders.

“We need to engage the best imaginations and artists to give our city the life it craves. We must consider neighbourhoods, how people work and play, art and culture. As Jane Jacobs once said, ‘There is no logic that can be superimposed on a city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.’

I long for thoughtful development that will make us all smile.” BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

23

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION What’s the real reason?

BY JOHN HARDY

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION

“We will double our energy needs by 2050!

That’s not a scare, it’s reliable fact.” ~ Richard Dixon

RICHARD DIXON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CABREE.

“

We will double our energy needs by 2050! That’s not a scare, it’s reliable fact,” is the warning from Edmonton’s Richard Dixon, executive director of the Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment (CABREE) at the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.

“The real issue most countries must deal with is not a question of alternatives for hydrocarbons (like oil and coal) but the reality that given the projected fuel demands of North America and the world, we will need both – and we will need it all.

“A lot of people would love to get away from fossil fuels,” the globally respected and Edmonton-based Dixon shrugs, “but as a fuel source, especially as a transportation fuel source, it is very, very hard to replace.”

His unbiased and expert comments underscore the dragged out but double-sided confusion when it comes to the push for “alternative energies.”

Do we want to find “cleaner” energies for the sake of the environment or are we planning ahead for skyrocketing world needs for oil and gas and other available energies.

Canada is the fifth largest producer of energy in the world, producing about six per cent of the world’s energy supplies. What makes it a key player in the energy game is that it’s also a significant producer of oil, natural gas and coal.

Only Russia, China, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia produce more total energy than Canada.

Another unarguable fact (that in-

siders suggest must change soon) is that the U.S. is not only Canada’s major trade market for energy products but has been complacently allowed to virtually be Canada’s only energy trade market.

The contentious side of the alternative energy story is woven into the toxic reality that, whether it’s cars and trucks, heating homes and factories, we are hopelessly hooked on

conventional energy sources (hydrocarbons) which get spewed into the air, the water and, through the soil, into the foods we eat.

According to tough-to-track stats, there are now more than 800 million cars on the road and 70 million new ones are built each year. Researchers make the revelation that some giant world cultures and economies, like China and India, are surging with

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www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION

BENJAMIN THIBAULT, ELECTRICITY PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE PEMBINA INSTITUTE.

“At present, Alberta burns more coal for electricity than all other provinces combined and, in total, Alberta sources about 85 per cent of its power from fossil fuels.

The resulting pollution carries a real cost to society that is not currently reflected in the price Albertans pay for power.” ~ Benjamin Thibault their love affair for cars and trucks, bloating world demand for, especially, gasoline.

Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences like fossil fuels or nuclear energy. They are renewable and have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources.

While much of the current alternative energy consciousness uses 2020 and 2050 as the two most common (and referenced) benchmark and target dates, the alternative energy movement’s actual momentum evolved from various major, international conferences, summits and symposiums, although the popular credit for “the start” of the alternative energy focus is usually attributed to the 2002 United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to industry researchers, by 2050, one-third of the world’s energy will need to come from solar, wind and other renewable resources. Despite target dates and theories, the impartial science of it all shows that CO2 increases the temperature of the planet and causes the infamous “climate change” and “global warming” effects.

The buzz of constant media exposure and often superficial public perception invariably triggers automatic thought (and arguments) about the cars we drive and the trucks that haul. Energy analysts and researchers know better. They accept that the simplistic focus on car and truck pollution is an easier concept for the lay consumer to grasp.

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Reality shows otherwise. In Alberta, throughout North America and many parts of the world, electricity is a much bigger, more vital and often controversial energy topic.

Electricity is taken for granted because we flick a switch, the lights go on, the appliances are humming and factory shifts are working overtime. So electricity is not part of the routine energy controversy. Mostly because the common assumption is that electricity comes from hydroelectric generation and doesn’t involve nasty visuals like smokestacks and billowing plumes.

Although several provinces rely predominantly on hydroelectric power, stats show that Alberta and five other provinces not only still burn coal to generate their electricity, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia rely more on coal than any other source of electricity.

“On an annual basis, Alberta’s coal-fired electricity plants release roughly the same quantity of greenhouse gases as half of all the passenger vehicles on the roads in the entire country,” warns a recent report from Clean Energy Canada and the Pembina Institute, the Canadian non-profit think-tank.

The report – Power To Change: How Alberta Can Green its Grid and Embrace Clean Energy – urges an end to Alberta’s reliance on coal and gas for electricity generation, and ultimately transform its power system to a more diverse mix of clean and renewable energy sources.

The research and the findings also crunch stats to show that Alberta’s electricity sector generates almost the same

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONFUSION

quantity of carbon pollution as its oilsands sector. Mostly this is due to the province’s continued reliance on coal.

“At present, Alberta burns more coal for electricity than all other provinces combined and, in total, Alberta sources about 85 per cent of its power from fossil fuels. The resulting pollution carries a real cost to society that is not currently reflected in the price Albertans pay for power,” warns Ben Thibault, electricity program director with the Pembina Institute.

“Recent research showed that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Albertans want coal plants phased out or shut down and replaced with natural gas and renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro. Polling and research also found that two-thirds of Albertans are prepared to pay higher prices for electricity generated by wind and solar power.

“Alberta could cut its reliance on high-polluting energy dramatically, but the lack of a renewable policy framework has been a real barrier,” he explains. “Within 20 years, Alberta has the potential to drastically reduce its over-reliance on fossil fuels for power generation and replace it with renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, biomass, hydro and geothermal energy.”

Despite ongoing theories and push for alternative energies, there is some positive action.

Edmonton’s Richard Dixon admits that, “It is encouraging that there have been some positive changes. Windmills have become larger and they may be viable but how many windmills can you crowd into Lethridge and how much damage to wildlife? Portugal is crowded with windmills but only 17 per cent of their power comes from wind.

“There have been improvements in solar and that may be our big one but, for now, solar is pretty well still a rich man’s game and it will have no impact on transportation fuels.

“And on a national basis, 63 per cent of Canada’s electricity is now from hydro.”

Recognizing the benefits of alternative energy, countries around the world are introducing policies to encourage its development.

According to the internationally respected Worldwatch Institute, at least 48 countries now have some type of renewable energy promotion policy, including 14 developing countries.

In North America, public and private sector investment in renewable energy is growing rapidly and there is steady increase in new policy initiatives and plans by utilities to boost renewable energy capacity in countries like the U.S., Germany, Japan and Spain.

Canada (and especially Alberta) has some work to do. BIE www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

27

TRAINING & EDUCATION THE SMART PROVINCE

The Smart Province

Alberta’s innovative, high-performing education sector continues to be one of the province’s best-kept secrets.

BY BEN FREELAND

W

hen it comes to educating its citizens, Alberta doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In spite of the province’s enduring reputation as a place where the allure of lucrative oilsands’ salaries leads young people to drop out of high school and eschew post-secondary education altogether, official statistics tell a very different story. In 2011, Alberta ranked third lowest in the country for percentage of working-age population without a certificate, diploma or degree at 12.3 per cent (only B.C. and Ontario are lower). Roughly 64 per cent of working-age Albertans hold some form of credentials, compared to around 57 per cent in Saskatchewan, and Alberta holds a notable lead nationwide in trade apprenticeship certifications at 7.6 per cent. In economic terms, education accounts for nearly four per cent of Alberta’s GDP – more than twice that represented by agriculture.

These numbers, however, only tell part of the story. In a 2011 article in Maclean’s, education columnist Josh DeHaas lauded Alberta as a “maverick when it comes to higher education.” Among other things, he cited the following:

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• Alberta leads the country in percentage of public funding for universities at 72 per cent.

• Alberta holds 17 per cent of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs and 12 per cent of Vanier Scholarship funding – with only 11 per cent of the country’s population.

• The University of Alberta has the second highest per-faculty research funding in the country at $309,332.

• Alberta’s two teaching-focused universities (MacEwan and Mount Royal) both perform exceptionally well in national surveys.

• Albertan students arrive on campus better prepared than most: Alberta’s 15-year-olds lead the country in both reading and science scores.”

How did Alberta emerge as a bonafide educational powerhouse? A pragmatic approach to education focused on

TRAINING & EDUCATION

THE SMART PROVINCE

“As adults, we must abandon our beliefs in our own experiences for our youth to have flourishing lives. A revolution is occurring – our only choice is whether we lead it or become irrelevant.” ~ Greg Bass maximizing student outcomes, a high degree of partnership between education, government and private industry, and an openness to innovation based on 21st century needs have all played a role in creating one of the world’s highest performing educational sectors.

“As adults, we must abandon our beliefs in our own experiences for our youth to have flourishing lives,” asserts

Alberta’s deputy education minister Greg Bass. “A revolution is occurring – our only choice is whether we lead it or become irrelevant.”

Alberta’s post-secondary education sector has long shown a tremendous capacity to move and adjust with the times. In addition to housing two of the country’s most successful teaching universities, the province is also home to one of the world’s leading distance learning institutions.

Founded in 1970, Athabasca University (AU) remains Canada’s only exclusively ‘open’ university, and in 2007 was Canada’s fastest growing university. AU’s long list of innovations include the world’s first entirely online executive MBA program, as well as its entirely online education doctorate – also the first of its kind in the world.

This year AU is inaugurating yet another world’s first; namely, the only entirely online full-time B.Sc. in architecture offered anywhere. Like many of the university’s past innovations, this new online program is being introduced in response to specific industry needs, namely an architect shortage in the midst of a construction and infrastructure boom.

“All the indicators suggest a lack of architects in Alberta, and indeed in Canada as a whole,” explains Douglas MacLeod, chair of the Royal Architectural Institute of www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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TRAINING & EDUCATION THE SMART PROVINCE

Canada’s (RAIC) Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University. “This province is growing at a tremendous rate, and just as we have skilled trades’ worker shortages, we’re facing similar shortages on the architect side.”

The new online B.Sc. in architecture is being introduced in response to the enormous popularity of the university’s online post-baccalaureate diploma in architecture, which was introduced in 2010. While architecture might not seem like an obvious choice for online study, MacLeod asserts that it’s particularly well suited for distance learning.

“Architecture has really become a global profession thanks to digital communications,” he asserts. “In the past you had to send blueprints and other documents by post, but now you just send files online. Also, around 40 per cent of architects work from home rather than in an office setting, which means that this program is entirely consistent with what these students will be doing once they graduate.”

MacLeod also adds that the program itself promises to

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be a huge magnet for overseas students and stands to further consolidate Alberta’s position as a powerhouse in the field. “It’s not a widely known fact, but Alberta is a word leader in architectural design, thanks to global standouts like Barry Johns and Vivian Manasc,” he adds, “and this program will help us maintain that edge. Our existing program already has students from Dubai, Egypt and the U.K., and numerous U.S. programs recommend it. This, plus the fact that we’re offering certification for foreign architects as part of our program, means that we’ll be poised to attract the best architectural talent in the world.”

While Athabasca University may be at the forefront of elearning in Alberta, it’s far from the only proponent of new distance learning modalities in the province. In Alberta’s construction industry, a sector that now accounts for over 10 per cent of the province’s GDP, workforce training is increasingly taking place online. This move, however, is part of a larger trend towards a more highly trained and certi-

TRAINING & EDUCATION

THE SMART PROVINCE

While Merit Contractors Association, Alberta’s leading open shop construction industry organization, has always been best known for its worker benefit programs, the association is gaining increasing plaudits for its training programs, which range from short training courses on everything from blueprint reading to concrete design and placement, to longer-term construction management training programs.

fied industry better suited to today’s complex and highly competitive industry.

“Expectations have changed in this industry,” explains Marla McCready, director of Merit Contractors Association’s training centre, the Merit College of Construction.

“Today there’s a very sincere focus on training and an understanding of how it relates to safety, retention, productivity and overall competitiveness.”

While Merit Contractors Association, Alberta’s leading open shop construction industry organization, has always been best known for its worker benefit programs, the association is gaining increasing plaudits for its training programs, which range from short training courses on everything from blueprint reading to concrete design and placement, to longer-term construction management training programs. The college has also been steadily expanding the breadth of its e-learning offerings, which include courses on pipeline safety, confined space aware-

ness, construction estimating and building information modelling (BIM). This year, for the first time, the college is introducing an online version of its long-standing project management program.

Demand for online training within the construction industry is growing in leaps and bounds, McCready asserts.

“Our e-leaning enrolments increased by 51 per cent on 2012 – 2013,” she notes. “This is being driven by a multitude of factors, including demographic change in the industry, complicated schedules and the fact that so many of the big projects in this province are happening in farflung places. In some cases, even people who aren’t nuts about e-learning are finding it’s the only way they can get the training they need.”

This demand, she adds, is being driven by both individual workers aimed at improving their skills and companies looking to be more competitive. “We’re currently serving the training needs of around 500 construction companies here at Merit,” she says. “Many of them are finding that training programs like these are a huge asset from the perspective of worker attraction and retention; and in a skilled labour shortage situation like we’re facing in this province, it’s something you can scarcely afford to overlook.”

From construction training to online architectural programs to the continued research excellence of Alberta’s two leading research universities, education continues to be Alberta’s best-kept secret. And given the growing skills demands of this province’s turbocharged economy and the increasingly globalized nature of education worldwide, it’s an ace this province cannot afford to underplay. BIE www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS

IF THE SHOE FITS….YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIMONS.

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

IF THE SHOE FITS….YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT

If the Shoe Fits...

YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT Advice for men on how to put their best foot forward.

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

T

he world of shoes has typically been aimed at women. After all, according to Glamour magazine, women spend an estimated $25,000 on footwear over a lifetime, with each pair averaging $53. Statistics like this used to make men roll their eyes, but the times they are a-changing and the men’s footwear market is heating up.

“The younger generation is not buying into their dad’s ‘dress for success’ policy. Technology has changed where and why men work. It’s not like they have to park in a parkade and go up the elevator to the 18th floor anymore,” says image and style expert Shirley Borrelli, who returns to Business in Edmonton to explain the sudden rise in men’s fashionable footwear. “Basically, not a lot of guys are wearing the conservative navy pinstripe suit.”

It’s true. Even traditional suit-and-tie corporations have relaxed their dress code to allow for more comfort and personalization, to say nothing of the men that work in trendy cafés, app development firms, re-imagined corporations

(such as UrbanAge Homes that prides themselves as a hip, trendy homebuilder whose staff have no titles but instead work according to their best attributes) and art studios.

As Borrelli always points out, you dress for the culture of the business. You don’t want your banker to have a shaved head, purple goatee and a nose piercing any more than you want your tattoo artist to play classical music in the studio and greet you in a suit and tie.

Along with this shift in men’s work options comes a radical shift in men’s clothing styles. Today’s styles are cut closer to the body. Pants are slimmer and shorter. The pant no longer has to cover half of the foot. In fact, not only is the foot more exposed than ever, the leg itself is on display whenever a man sits down in one of these modern jeans or trousers.

Men have responded to this industry/style change with gusto. “Men are starting to explore their style,” smiles Borrelli. Thankfully she has plenty of advice for men looking to get their feet wet in all those new shoe options.

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS

IF THE SHOE FITS….YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT

Rule 1 Rule 2 Rule 3 Rule 4 Rule 1

- the shoe anchors the look: “Men have reasons for wanting to be stylish. They may be in sales and want to look trendy or be in a leadership position and want to have others look up to them,” says Borrelli. “They can have a current haircut, modern glasses, and a streamlined suit; but add the wrong footwear and they ruin their whole look.” If you are in skinny jeans and V-neck T-shirt (dare I say…hipster?), go ahead and wear those Converse sneakers with all the irony you can muster. But if you are in a nice pair of dark trousers and a button-down linen shirt, skip the sneakers and aim for the loafers.

Rule 2

– some shoes are not for the office: If you can wear it to the gym or if it’s a flip-flop, it should never see your office. Any shoe of this calibre takes your outfit from business casual to street wear.

Rule 3

– you men have needs: And those needs are the two types of shoes you need have in your closet at all times. Type one is the lace-up leather shoe with a thin sole. Those thick chunky soles? “Absolutely not!” says Borrelli, then adds with a shudder, “Even though stores still sell them.” This is your dress shoe. Type two is your dressy casual shoe. This category has a lot of flexibility in style, colour and application. “These are your dessert boots, your slip-on loafers, your oxfords. These are what you wear with your dress shirt but no tie or jacket,” counsels the style expert.

Rule 4

– sock it to me: Because of the style change, men’s ankles and lower legs are often on display. Have you noticed the many colourful, patterned, wild socks in the men’s department lately? This is why. Today’s socks give men a way to express their personality and jazz up their outfits, because today’s socks are not hidden under wide-legged trousers.

SOCK CHOICES AT URBAN OUTFITTERS IN WEST EDMONTON MALL.

Now, men, it’s time for some foot safety advice. You may wince all you like at the damage done to ladies’ tender tootsies in those sky-high platform stilettos, but you are far from immune when it comes to damaging footwear. Jessica Kwan from the Calgary Foot Clinic cautions that no matter what colour or style you choose, you need to wear shoes that are supportive. “The more rigid the sole of the shoe, the better the protection for the feet,” says Kwan.

Unsupportive shoes, along with lifestyle and certain activities, can cause the following ailments: heel pain, ingrown toenails, ankle sprains, big toe joint stiffness and

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Achilles tendonitis. These discomforts can be indicative of deeper problems, such as inflamed ligaments on the bottom of the foot, infection and arthritis. Kwan urges anyone with these symptoms to seek treatment with a podiatrist to prevent lasting damage. The good news is, however, that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. Companies such as ECCO, Clarks, Johnston & Murphy and Naot offer fashion-forward footwear that provide both support and style.

The sole of the matter is, you don’t have to be a trendsetting café owner or a rock ‘n’ roll web designer to take advantage of the new men’s shoes. There are enough

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Rule 5

IF THE SHOE FITS….YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WEAR IT

Rule 5

– wax it, shave it or cover it up: Borrelli pauses for a moment as she tries to think of a tactful way to put it; but there is only one way to say it, “I don’t want to see any hairy legs.” OK men, fess up. You see a woman in a beautiful dress but her legs remind you of Chewbacca. Attractive? No. You don’t see that often because it’s not stylish or something anyone, man or woman, wants to see. Now that your ankles are playing peek-a-boo with the general public, you have to address the hair down there. Today, a lot of men’s styles include shoes without socks. If you have thick, dark, coarse hair on your legs, you have three options: wax it, shave it or cover it up with a sock.

Rule 6 Rule 6

– connect the dots: Your shoes need to be in the same colour family as your other accessories (tie, belt, scarf, etc.) and yes, that means no black shoes with a brown belt.

LESSLY PAIRS BRIGHT

ERIC MILLER EFFORT

ATE CLOTHING.

SHOES WITH CORPOR

styles and colours that work for both conservative and edgy environments. Take, for instance, Eric Miller. Miller is a musician and has a corporate job. When he’s not releasing music on iTunes, he’s a sales manager at Instabox (Alberta) Inc. “I love my shoes!” exclaims Miller of the 30-plus pairs of casual and dress shoes he owns. He’s an expert in pairing the shoes with the professional atmosphere of his workplace, such as when he wears teal shoes with a teal dress shirt, dark pant and grey jacket.

Miller has been collecting and wearing colourful shoes for a long time. “I’d rather stand out than blend in,” says

the man that once bought his boss a pair of purple shoes to match one of Instabox’s company colours. While Miller finds some of the brighter colours, such as burgundy and teal, difficult to find in Edmonton, he likes how the shoe market for men is quickly opening up.

“I think a lot of people get stuck in a nice comfort level and never challenge or change it,” says Miller. “I say take a walk on the wild side. It makes life more interesting!”

Then he smiles in his blue suede shoes and adds, “People with a lot of shoes have a great sole.”

So there you have it gentlemen. The shoe trend is here to stay. Now get out there and put your best foot forward. BIE www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

35

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

EDMONTON LEADS THE WAY WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

EDMONTON LEADS THE WAY W Edmonton is a burgeoning frontier for more things than just oil and gas. In fact, the city has become well-known for the great minds that it produces and attracts who are responsible for making some fantastic technological breakthroughs.

BY RECHELL MCDONALD

E

ver feel like this city sometimes gets a stagnant reputation for being ‘industrial’? It often seems like all we hear about is oil money and the demand for skilled labour – and while these things are important, they aren’t the only things Edmonton has to offer. In fact, Edmonton has become a hotbed for technological advancements, largely due to some of the brilliant minds coming out of the University of Alberta (U of A).

The university has been the epicentre for the development of some pretty incredible companies that are focused on improving life, whether it’s through medical advances or the development of new technology that has the potential to benefit a variety of fields. Here are just three of the companies leading the pack for emerging technology in Edmonton.

SINOVEDA CANADA INC. Formed in 2006, the company was built on the need for a new drug development paradigm based on the standardization of botanical medicines. “Current drug discovery and development is expensive and high risk, with the cost

36

August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

of developing a new drug upwards of $1 billion. However, we have a number of cultures and societies around the world which have used botanical-based therapies for thousands of years. For a therapy to exist for thousands of years it must have some clinical utility, although this utility has not been proven with objective evidence according to modern standards,” explains a company representative.

“The clinical evidence that does exist is often poorly controlled and often shows inconsistent results.”

SinoVeda was formed to close the gap between these ageold botanical therapies and building clear, objective evidence.

Understanding the active ingredients in the botanical therapies, how they interact with each other and how they interact with the human body will be the key to achieving this.

The “pharmaceutical platform technology” or PPT®, which the company is based upon, works to identify the active ingredients of clinically effective botanicals. “Importantly, we believe in a concept of multiple actives and multiple targets instead of the traditional magic-bullet approach of one active ingredient that achieves the desired result.”

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

EDMONTON LEADS THE WAY WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

ITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES SinoVeda’s most recent breakthrough has been in the development of their calcium therapy, EffectiCal®. EffectiCal® has proven to be as effective as the leading calcium supplement on the market (Pfizer’s Caltrate®) but at only half the dose.

It’s highly soluble nature means users will get more out of the therapy then the other existing brands on the market.

SinoVeda’s most recent breakthrough has been in the development of their calcium therapy, EffectiCal®. EffectiCal® has proven to be as effective as the leading calcium supplement on the market (Pfizer’s Caltrate®) but at only half the dose. It’s highly soluble nature means users will get more out of the therapy then the other existing brands on the market. This includes benefits for bone health and a significant decrease in the side-effects that plague other calcium products.

SinoVeda is focusing on developing natural products that are derived more from the earth than from a chemistry lab.

This approach has the potential to limit the side-effects that patients might otherwise suffer from, while also increasing the business potential and quality of life for farmers, particularly in Third World countries, who will benefit greatly from a commercial outlet for the botanicals they already grow to support their own traditional medicinal uses.

FORGE HYDROCARBONS INC. Formed in 2013, Forge Hydrocarbons Inc. is a spinoff from the University of Alberta. The company was incorporated by Tim Haig to launch the U of A technology.

According to Dr. David Bressler, the technology founder and scientific advisor for Forge Hydrocarbons, “Our technology converts oils and fats directly to hydrocarbon fuels and solvents without using catalysts or hydrogen.”

Dr. Bressler explains that their more recent development has been that the company has “found a way to make branched hydrocarbons that give superior cloud and pour points.”

Although the company has not completely narrowed down the scope of who exactly will benefit the most from this technology, the implications of it are far-reaching. Currently, their target audience is the forest and agricultural sectors, who could use this technology to make their pracwww.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

37

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

EDMONTON LEADS THE WAY WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Taschuk explains that this technology offers many benefits, but the most important are the ones that involve creating more eco-friendly processes for extracting important compounds, and making the actual extracting process itself much more effective and practical.

tices more eco-friendly. Renewable fuel companies may also benefit greatly from the adaptation of this technology.

Forge Hydrocarbons sees the potential for this technological development to be deployed globally. The great thing about technology, almost any technology, is that it can be scaled and customized to most regions in order to meet the demands of any given place.

RADIENT TECHNOLOGIES Of the three companies, Radient Technologies has been around the longest. Formed in 2001, it was created originally under the umbrella of the BC Research Institute (a contract research organization). Radient, acquired under licence, microwave-assisted processing technology from Environment Canada. It was then spun out of BC Research by Dr. Steven Splinter (Radient’s current chief technology officer).

Denis Taschuk, president, CEO and director of Radient Technologies, explains their technology and breakthroughs. “Radient’s core technology is microwaveassisted processing. Using controlled density microwaves, Radient focuses on extracting, isolating and purifying compounds derived from natural biomasses. These compounds are used by a number of industries such as pharmaceutical, biotech, nutraceutical, food, beverage, cosmetic and biofuel. Radient’s most recent breakthrough is the commissioning (in January 2014) of its worldclass microwave extractor. This is the first of its kind and demonstrates that the technology has been fully commercialized and scaled up.”

Taschuk explains that this technology offers many benefits, but the most important are the ones that involve creating more eco-friendly processes for extracting important compounds, and making the actual extracting process itself much more effective and practical.

“The technology represents a significant opportunity for the extraction of compounds from difficult-to-extract

38

August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

materials such as algae, bacteria and yeast. This point is important as these biomasses are expected to be very important to the sustainability of food sources and yet, they are difficult to work with. Using Radient’s technology, the company is able to provide a technology that potentially provides a significant improvement in how compounds can be accessed from these materials.”

Radient has big plans for its future, with no intention of simply putting their feet up behind their desks in Edmonton and calling it a job well done. The company is planning on expanding. With a number of American and European clients, the company expects that these clients will fuel the need for Radient to add to its capacity. The company is also working with a number of biomass providers to develop proprietary biomasses for its own use.

These three companies are great examples and representatives of the amazing things that are happening in Edmonton and on the Canadian technology front.

There are many more budding entrepreneurs and startup businesses in the city that are onto something new and groundbreaking in their field. It only takes a little bit of research to discover some of the fascinating things that the city’s students and finest minds are getting behind – all of them stretching across a wide variety of fields.

We are constantly hearing about the emerging technology coming out of American universities or European labs, but we often forget to turn our attention back to the home front to discover what’s happening in our own backyard.

Every city has its identity, and while Edmonton is often seen as an industrialized city, focused on the oilfield and all the technological needs surrounding it – the city clearly has much more to offer, with interests that reach far beyond the energy sector and have the potential to impact the world. Edmonton’s emerging technology market is definitely one to tune into and watch closely. This city will take the world by storm. BIE

Celebrating 35 Years of Customer-Focused Service and Success

I

By Nerissa McNaughton

t’s easy to go about your day without thinking of the many underground services that lay hidden while making our lives easier. Yet, the minute there is a problem with an underground water pipe or utility line, our lives feel like they are on hold until the problem is located, fixed and the lines are tucked out of sight once again. Have you paused to think about what it takes to service these underground utilities? It takes more than a backhoe and a good sense of direction. It takes training, vision and planning – but thankfully Raywalt Construction Company Ltd. has all this and more.

Raywalt Construction Company Ltd. is on its second generation of ownership and while you may not be familiar with their work the way you could point out a homebuilder’s project or an

interior designer’s art, a large majority of Albertans, particularly Edmontonians, have benefited from their expertise. In fact, if you reside in one of Edmonton’s recently developed communities, chances are the work of Raywalt lies beneath your feet.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves a little bit. This is a company 35 years in the making, so let’s go back to where it all began.

The year is 1979. Ray Necula and Walter Volsky had a vision for a company that could service underground utilities while providing strong, client-focused service. Volsky took the company forward after becoming the sole owner in the 1980s and continued in that role until retirement in 2004.

Raywalt has placed an ever-increasing emphasis on client satisfaction and has maintained lasting relationships for many

Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 1

years. In a time where, thanks to social media, services can be easily chosen based on reputation alone, Raywalt’s customerfocused attitude has stood the test of time.

Ten years ago, Volsky was able to retire in the best way possible – seeing his dream company come true and seeing it pass into the hands of the two men that would confidently take Raywalt forward for the next several years. Those two men are partners Ron Johnson and Mark Zutz.

Johnson started his career in the field of engineering consulting, but soon found the opportunities in contracting to be better suited to his personality. He made the career jump to contracting and quickly gained the interest of Raywalt’s Walter Volsky. Johnson joined Raywalt at Volsky’s invitation in 1980 as a project manager.

Zutz also started his career in engineering but when he discovered a passion for physical organization, problem solving and innovative ways to control projects he, like Johnson, chose an alternate career path. This path led his employment at Raywalt in 1983. Zutz was hired as a project manager.

Johnson and Zutz worked hard, learning every aspect of the business and were eager to take Raywalt to the next level. “We made sure he [Volsky] sold it to us,” smiles Johnson as he describes buying into the partnership with Zutz.

Raywalt’s trajectory has always moved in a positive direction.

Notable projects include a history-making open-cut excavation Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 2

President Ron Johnson and Operations Manager Mark Zutz.

in 1981 that went down 15 metres. It was the deepest excavation in Edmonton at that time. Tunnelling equipment, excavators and many more heavy machines took a year to complete the job under far from ideal circumstances. “The ground was not good,” Johnson points out. “A good ground condition is ground that stands up, such as clay.” The (at the time) young company was undeterred, however, and used a combination of experience, smarts and tenacity to complete the job.

As Raywalt became increasingly known as the company to call to get a job done quickly, efficiently and on budget, growth in

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projects and staff were steady. Raywalt relocated from their original south Edmonton location in 1988 and settled in Acheson’s sprawling industrial park. With a growing client list, the company narrowed their focus. “We have done work all over the province,” Johnson notes, “but we have enough work here in the Edmonton region, allowing our forces to service our loyal clients.”

This work includes servicing thousands of residential lots, challenging transmission mains projects (including crossing the North Saskatchewan River, the Bow River in downtown Calgary, large diameter deep excavation trunks, and steel water transmission projects all over Alberta), and specialized work in the construction of irrigation canals, pipe bridges, trenchless crossings, sewer and water main replacement (including 14 km of water replacement for City of Calgary), box culvert installation and environmental protection work. “We have installed 1.4-metre diameter water trunks in Edmonton as well as under the Bow River in Calgary,” Johnson explains.

In 2009, Raywalt was chosen to complete several large diameter sewer and water relocations on the Anthony Henday northwest project, allowing the construction of the freeway work without disrupting crucial services to Edmonton, St. Albert and other communities. “The relocations were unusual and varied projects within a project which required experience and the expertise. Ultimately, we were chosen to become part of the team,” remarks Johnson of the relocations that spanned three years.

The best success stories are the ones written right here

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Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 3

T

om Allison started with Raywalt as a general labourer on a pipe crew before he was 20 years old, and worked his way up to foreman, superintendent and general superintendent as well as one of the partners who purchased the company from Volsky 10 years ago.

His career at Raywalt is an indication of how far a person with dedication and a good work ethic can go in a challenging, yet rewarding career choice.

Derrick DiPalma (a.k.a. Turk) started with Raywalt in 1981 as a labourer. Today he is a superintendent in charge of several sites. When Zutz and Johnson bought the company, he was one of the partners that helped to finalize the deal. He would later sell his company shares, but continues to enjoy his time at Raywalt.

Wayne Carr started in 1983 as a track loader operator.

Today he is “Raywalt’s most senior and talented mainline excavator operator,” Johnson points out.

Another long-term employee, Fred Fisher, started his Raywalt career as a rubber tire loader operator. The crew still looks to Fisher to do what he’s been doing best for over 30 years.

Johnson and Zutz express their thanks to these and the many other members of their office and field staff that keep Raywalt’s projects running smoothly year after year.

Raywalt’s efficiency in the field is also seen at the administration level. There is a staff of 10 in the office and approximately 150 seasonal workers in the field. Like many Edmonton-based industrial businesses, Raywalt faces challenges from the sweet siren song of the oilfield that lures good workers out of the city with promises of fat paycheques and overtime hours. Yet, thanks to the value Raywalt has always placed on their staff, their seasonal workers are happy to keep coming back summer after summer. “We’ve had people that have been with us for a very long time,” says Johnson gratefully. “Some for 20 - 30 years and lots at 10 - 15 years.” (See sidebar.) It’s easy to see why. Merit benefits and training, ASA training and having a safe and productive work environment and support from all levels of management are just some of reasons Raywalt’s field staff are more than happy to return each season.

Raywalt Construction Company Ltd. does not stop at providing great service in the field and a supportive team environment. Their work extends into philanthropy as well. “It’s all part of being a corporate citizen,” says Johnson. “Whether it’s a good economy or a bad economy, you have to give back.”

And give back they do. Raywalt happily contributes to the Kids With Cancer Society, the Cross Cancer Institute, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Habitat for Humanity and ABC Head Start, to name a few of dozens of charities they support. “They are all good causes,” says Zutz.

“We have good [philanthropic] role models,” Johnson adds, “like Irving and Dianne Kipnes. There are a lot of people in Edmonton that dedicate tremendous efforts to charitable work.”

This year Raywalt Construction Company Ltd. celebrates two milestones. It’s their 35th anniversary and as of this August, the

10th anniversary of Johnson and Zutz’s leadership in the new ownership group. Looking back, the two partners have nothing but fond memories.

“We have improved on how we do our work, in our reputation, and how we handle safety,” says Zutz as he thinks of the changes over the past decade. “We are more solid. We are more relationship-based than tendered. We are loyal to our clients and in turn, they are loyal to us.”

Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 4

Congratulations RAYWALT on your 35th Anniversary CONGRATULATIONS RAYWALT CONSTRUCTION ON 35 YEARS OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS!

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Congratulations Raywalt on 35 great years!

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CELEBRATING OUR 68TH YEAR

LEADING THE TRENCHLESS INDUSTRY SINCE 1970

CONGRATULATIONS ON 35 YEARS OF SUCCESS

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Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 5

the company has become – or how much potential it has to grow even faster – Johnson and Zutz hold fast to the qualities that made Raywalt so successful since 1979. “We have no intention of being a monstrously huge company,” says Johnson.

“You just can’t do it all. We don’t overextend ourselves. We do the jobs we have committed to and we do them well. We turn away work that doesn’t fit and we stick with the clients that have been loyal to us.”

It’s a strategy that has worked and there is no doubt it is a strategy that will continue to work in the years ahead.

Johnson and Zutz would like to thank their clients and suppliers whom they have built a relationship with based on mutual trust. Special thanks also goes to their staff, both permanent and seasonal, for their hard work and dedication.

“We realize this is a team environment. It’s more than just a job,” Johnson agrees while adding his thoughts on his time as employee, then president at Raywalt. “This team includes everyone, including the other firms. We all work together.”

The story of Raywalt Construction Company Ltd. is far from over. In fact, it’s just barely into its second chapter. Volsky laid the foundation, Johnson and Zutz took over as the next generation and the upcoming partners that will succeed Johnson and Zutz are already in motion. Yet no matter how successful

506, 53016 Highway 60 in Acheson, Alberta (780) 962-0030 • email mainoffice@raywalt.ca www.raywalt.ca

Cement • Aggregates • Concrete • Pipe

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Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 6

Congratulations!

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orwood Waterworks is the leading supplier of water

works products in Alberta. Established in 1922, the company serves the waterworks, agriculture, oil and gas, and forestry industries. The company’s success is built upon providing the

best value, service and expertise in the industry through our technical and experienced staff. As a full line waterworks distributor, Norwood stocks one of the largest inventory levels of waterworks products in Canada.

Norwood Waterworks is proud to be partnered with Raywalt Construction and wishes them another 35 Years of Success!

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Congratulations Raywalt on 35 years!

We wish you the best for many more years to come!

7224 50th Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2J8 Phone Number: (780) 466-5832 • Fax Number: (780) 465-7020 • Email Address: info@jatec.ca www.jatec.ca Raywalt | 35 Years | Page 7

Founder Andy Jankovic.

T

here are a lot of family-owned companies in Edmonton, but few actually feel as much like a family as J & J Electric Ltd. It’s next to impossible to step into the J & J offices without sensing the genuine camaraderie and mutual respect in the casual banter among president Mark Jankovic, general manager and right hand-man Robin Stefura, project manager Art Lussier, chief estimator Tom Culo and office manager Tina Mitchell. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s especially unusual to find such a strong feeling of cohesion and purpose in a company celebrating its 55th year of success, but J & J Electric isn’t your average company. “We’ve always had the opportunity to grow,” Mark says, “but I don’t think it’s ever really been a goal. The thing is to do the job correctly, and growth comes. We’re growing all the time. It takes a good team to do that. We are that team. I know that my company’s only as good as the people who work for me.”

This humble, both-feet-on-the-ground approach to business has been an integral part of the J & J Electric story right from the very beginning, thanks in large part to the man who put the first ‘J’ in the company name: Andy Jankovic. “My dad started the company in ‘59 with a man named George Jaroch,” Mark says (when his partner left a few years later, Andy decided to keep both J’s in the name). Back then, J & J Electric did residential, commercial and industrial work, from installation to material supply to maintenance, much as they do now.

Some things were a little different in the early days, though.

For instance, J & J headquarters was the Jankovic family garage

in Glenora. “The foremen would meet back there in the mornings,” Mark says, “I remember as a kid going to the garage and my dad telling me to get out.” A son’s budding interest in the family business, perhaps? Absolutely.

“I think I was 12 my first summer working for my dad. He gave me a shovel and I had spending money for the rest of the year. It was awesome,” says Mark. When he graduated from high school, however, it was a different story. “I had a little bit of a battle with my dad because he wanted me to go to university, but I convinced him that this was where I wanted to be.”

Mark’s father persuaded him to apprentice with another contractor before joining the family business. “It was a friend of my dad’s,” Mark says. “It was a good place to gain experience because it was a larger company.” Four years later, with plenty of experience to match his ambition, he was ready to help build up the family business.

Robin was subcontracting for J & J at that time, but began working closely with Mark, both of them putting in long hours to take the company to that next level. Although business may be booming for J & J today, those first couple of years after Mark and Robin came on board turned out to be the perfect time to worry. “A lot of my dad’s clients were retired so we had to build new relationships, and for a while there, we were quoting jobs and not getting them,” Mark remembers. But hard work and perseverance, as they usually do, paid off. By 1996, J & J Electric had once again found its footing as a thriving business with a growing list of loyal clients, and Mark had taken over from his father as sole proprietor.

J & J Electric Ltd. | 55 Years | 2

“My dad got to see the start of our new growth before he passed in 2000,” Mark says. “It was nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk with him about things. It was tough to lose that, but we got through it like we always do.” As a family, of course.

“We went through the good and the bad over the years,” Robin says. “But this is where a lot of my best friends have been created. Not only with this company, but with other companies that we work with, and that’s what makes it easier to deal with the stresses that come with keeping things running.”

One of those friends is Art, who started at J & J as a foreman in 2004 and moved into the office three-and-a-half years ago.

“I enjoyed the field very much and I missed it at first, but I have to admit it’s nice to be here in the winter,” Art says. What’s it like to go from running one job with six workers to running six jobs with 20? “We’ve trained lots of foremen who have our back. Now I understand better what Mark worries about. I get excited when the numbers are good, and I worry when they’re not.”

When Mark came back to work full time at J & J, Tina was just

eight years old. Now she’s an indispensable part of the J & J family. “They’re all like my uncles,” says the office manager.

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Happy 55thAnniversary!

Guillevin International would like to extend our warmest congratulations to J & J Electric Ltd. as they celebrate 55 exceptional years in business. We look forward to being a part of your continued success in the years to come!

J & J Electric Ltd. | 55 Years | 3

Andy Jankovic on the tools

“Older brothers,” says Art. “Older brothers,” she says, correcting herself with a smile.

Laughter rings out in the room and suddenly, you know. This is the real deal.

Like a family in so many ways, J & J Electric welcomes new members, helps them to grow and sometimes watches as they leave the nest to build something of their own. “We support the

Registered Apprentice Program (RAP),” Art explains. “So, a high school calls us and asks us to train Grade 11 RAP students, and they get credit for high school as well as hours worked for going into an apprenticeship program.”

“They’ve basically decided that they want to get into the electrical trade, and the time they’ve put in here often allows them to go to NAIT right out of high school. They’re journeymen electri-

Schneider Electric is proud to have partnered with J & J Electric Ltd. over their 55 years of professional service in the capital region! We wish you many years of continued success!

www.schneider-electric.com J & J Electric Ltd. | 55 Years | 4

cians at 21 years old and making pretty darn good money,” Mark says. “But we usually hire them after the summer. Some have stayed, but we’ve had some who’ve left to do their own thing.

Quite a few companies have come out of here, which is good because that’s what apprenticeship is for.” Like any warm and welcoming family, J & J Electric is equally proud of its daughters and its sons. “We support women in the trades, for sure. We’ve had women working here from the beginning.”

As you can see, at J & J Electric, the word “team” isn’t just a trendy term. It defines who they are as a company. They have their own ball team, the mighty and much-feared “Speed Bumps.” There’s a company hockey team, as well. “It’s good for health, it’s good for team building and, of course, there’s the social aspect. As long as no one gets hurt. Then they can’t come to work, and that’s no good,” Mark says with a smile.

Chief estimator Tom agrees. “The company’s given me a great opportunity and I’ve learned a lot, but it’s because they’ve been like a family and they’ve been good to me that I’ve been here for 12 years,” he says. “Smart, talented people, a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge. A good bunch of guys, really. The kind of people you want to work for.”

“We do have some fun around here,” Mark admits. “It’s important for everybody’s sanity, because it’s pretty hard to get up and get through your day if you don’t like your environment. Life’s not easy.”

Clearly, there’s no shortage of appreciation at J & J Electric

for their people and the fact that they do, indeed, get up every morning and come in to put their skills, their knowledge and their dedication to work. People like Mark’s sister, Diana DeChamplain, and her husband Dennis, who’ve been doing J & J’s accounting for 32 years (not to mention sister Angela Rudelic who was the company’s office manager for 12 years). Also, people like Fritz Wolf and Kelly Gould, who’ve been keeping things humming in the field for over 15 years; Gary Lussier, who joined the team 10 years ago this past June; Don Kastelic, Mark Kulusic and Justin Lopushinsky, all of whom will soon be celebrating a decade with J & J. To all these folks and the rest of the J & J family, we at Business in Edmonton invite you to join us in wishing this little company with the big heart a very happy 55th anniversary.

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Gil Olson Raises the Roof: Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. Celebrates 25 Years

By Nerissa McNaughton

G

il Olson knows roofs. Before he founded Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. in 1989, he was roofing under the direction of an employer. “Knowing him,” laughs Olson’s sales manager, Al Shaw, “he started Advanced Roofing because he has that entrepreneurial spirit. He wants to make things grow and develop.” Olson merely smiles in reply to this compliment, but the evidence speaks for itself. Advanced Roofing has indeed grown and developed, holding steady during times of economic downturn and never lowering the quality of their work during real estate booms. Olson certainly has that entrepreneurial spirit, and some of Edmonton’s most famous roofs proudly support this fact.

Like most entrepreneurs, Olson launched his business from his house. Always one to think big, he wasn’t content to confine the business to a spare bedroom or corner of the garage. He converted the front of his house, the living room and the dining room, into his workspace. “I tell people I used

to live at the office,” Olson jokes about those early days.

It wasn’t long, however, before Olson was able to reclaim his house space. The business grew quickly and he relocated the base of operations to a building that had office space, bays and a yard. At the present location, Olson had the foresight to purchase an adjacent building as they are rapidly outgrowing their existing space. Once the latest expansion is complete, Advanced Roofing will have more office space and a bigger yard, but thankfully the problem of the yard is easily solved for the time being. “We’ve been very lucky because all of our equipment is being used,” Olson points out. “We aren’t using the yard because all of our equipment is in the field.”

Advanced Roofing roofs residential and commercial buildings. That is, when they are not bringing history back to life.

In the late 2000s, it was Advanced Roofing that restored the iconic Iron Horse roof. For Olson, this is one of his favourite and most memorable projects to date.

Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. • 25 Years • Page 1

The Iron Horse started its life as the Strathcona Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Station in 1907 and quickly became a major hub for CPR’s Calgary/Edmonton line. It became a Canadian Heritage Railway Station in 1991, a municipal historic resource in 2003 (after being sold by CPR) and later a provincial historic resource in 2004. The old railway station has a sassy history. From 1998 to 2010 it was Edmonton’s Iron Horse; a massive nightclub known to attract over a 1,000 partygoers on an average night.

When the roof of this historical and very beloved Edmonton institution fell into disrepair, Advanced Roofing was the one that saved it.

This was not a simple reroof. This was a full restoration.

“The method of the cedar roof installation we used was the same one used 100 years ago,” says Shaw as he explains how they strived for authenticity in every detail. “We used number 1 cedar shingles with 5.5-inch exposure. We had custom vents and accessories manufactured so it would look just like it did a century ago.”

The result? A roof the original train station would have been proud to bear. “That roof will last another century,” says Olson with pride.

The Iron Horse is not Advanced Roofing’s only major restoration project. The company is also responsible for the restoration of the Bellis grain elevator at the Ukrainian Cultural Village and numerous other historical buildings in the Greater Edmonton region. Other projects include ALCO Gas & Oil Production Equipment Ltd.’s flat roof along with many estate homes, commercial buildings and condominiums. A

roster of over 500 dedicated clients have Advanced Roofing on speed dial.

Edmonton is known for its winters that seem to stretch from November to June and while most construction and roofing companies call winter their slow season, things get busier for Advanced Roofing when the snow flies. It’s that entrepreneurial spirit again; the spirit that compelled Olson to place an ad in the Yellow Pages many years ago advertising snow removal. The next year many other roofing companies took note and started advertising snow removal as well, but Advanced Roofing had, once again, proven their reputation as a leader in the roofing industry.

“We were the first to advertise rooftop snow removal in the Yellow Pages,” reminisces Olson. “The next year there was 50 ads! But between January and the end of February we get over 25,000 calls a month. It’s because we educate our clients.”

“We have a very educational page on our website,” Shaw agrees. “If you educate people, they will come to you.”

Olson relates a story that happened during 2011’s unusually heavy snowfall. “I remember one time we had three television stations trying to interview us at the same time, and then I had a call from one of our crews that a building next on the list to have rooftop snow removal was collapsing! Everybody followed me over there. That was pretty crazy. We had to evacuate the entire building to do the snow removal, all the while being filmed by three news stations.”

“The day prior, a roof at a senior citizen’s home had collapsed so there was a heightened sense of urgency,” Shaw adds, in the interest of full disclosure.

Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. • 25 Years • Page 2

house. They know they will get a job well done when they deal with Advanced Roofing Systems.”

Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. is located at 5448 - 36 Street. The company is proud of their A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which they have maintained for over 22 years and through 60,000-plus roof projects. Advanced Roofing is a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association as well as the National Roofing Contractors Association. All wood used in their projects has been certified and inspected by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau. They are approved installers of IKO, BP and Soprema roofing systems and offer cement tile, metal and rubber shingle systems.

Above: Owner Gil Olson and sales manager Al Shaw.

Opposite page: Top: Laminate Architectural Shingle Roof System.

Bottom left: Roof System and Cedar Roof System.

Bottom right: Slate Rubber.

“Yes,” Olson nods, “but they always come to us.”

Yes they do. Advanced Roofing’s clients know they can count on Olson and his team to do everything from a repair to a restoration. “We maintained our builders and contracts during the real estate boom and when the boom was done,” says Olson. “After the boom many company’s revenues went down. Ours didn’t. Ours went up. Our customers know they can expect the same high quality of service no matter what the economy is doing.”

“We grew during the boom time, but there hasn’t been a single time when we went backwards in 25 years,” Shaw adds. Olson credits this steady growth to Shaw’s leadership, and Shaw quickly interjects that it was because of Olson’s foresight; because like all successful entrepreneurs, the leader(s) look to and appreciate the support of their team, clients and mentors.

Another thing successful entrepreneurs do is invest in their community, and Advanced Roofing is no exception. Advanced Roofing actively supports Easter Seals, Hope Mission, and Habitat for Humanity. Olson also participates in the annual MS bike tour.

It’s been more than two decades since Olson converted the front of his house to a commercial business space, but that entrepreneurial spirit hasn’t lagged one bit. “We always pride ourselves in doing work for someone and giving them what they need so they don’t have to worry about the work when we are done,” Olson concludes. “We sleep well at night knowing we did an honest day’s work. Every person’s home is their castle whether it’s a $100,000 house or $5-million

5448 – 36 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6B 3P3 (780) 450-0365 • email info@adroof.ca www.advancedroofsystems.com

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Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. • 25 Years • Page 3

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Advanced Roofing Systems Ltd. • 25 Years • Page 4

Making a Difference Through Innovative HVAC Design

T

By Mark Kandborg

he catch term “sustainability” is a bit like “organic,” or “lite.” Sure, it sounds good, but does it really mean anything? In the case of Russell Clark, principal engineer and founder of Clark Engineering, it certainly does.

You could say it means the world.

A lot of people talk about going green, but Clark has built a career on making it happen by helping builders, developers, architects and management companies implement environmentally and economically efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions in existing and new high-performance structures from hotels, office towers and condominiums to commercial buildings, hospitals, schools and research facilities; and he does it all through solid, pragmatic design. “Sustainability shouldn’t be added on,” Clark says, “it should be built in. If you focus on good quality design, that will lead to sustainability.”

Clark came by his interest in environmental efficiency honestly – and early. “I was visiting recycling facilities with my dad when I was six,” he says, with the nostalgic tone that wouldn’t be out of place from a hockey legend recalling the first time he laced up a pair of skates. “That type of facility wasn’t common in the ’70s, but my father was very involved in what they were doing, and so was I.” In fact, Clark’s father, Robert, went on to make his own environmental mark, improving life in this city and others. “He was instrumental in the introduction of the LRT in Edmonton and the SkyTrain in Vancouver.”

Clark’s journey has brought him to a place where he’s making a difference locally in the way new buildings are put up and older ones are kept up, saving his clients’ money and minimizing impact to the environment at the same time. It’s no wonder he enjoys his job. He didn’t get here overnight, of course, but from the start of his career, he couldn’t help but feel a distinct pull. “Even when I was an engineer in training in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” he says, “I’d look at the plans and say ‘this is great but we can do this more efficiently’. Sometimes you had the opportunity, sometimes you didn’t, depending on the client.” But as time went on and as utility costs continued to climb, more clients were offering opportunities for Clark and his colleagues to find more efficient solutions. With that came another, irresistible opportunity for Clark himself – to take his expertise, his experience and his passion and put them all in one place. Thus, Clark Engineering Inc. was born.

That was 15 years ago, a number that has proved significant for the company. “It’s an important milestone. At 15 years, people know you’re in it for the long haul and take you more seriously. It was interesting to me that when I first started up and talked to potential clients and architects, they’d say ‘Come back when you’ve been in business for five years and we know you’re going to be around.’ Well, five years wasn’t the real number,” he says, with a laugh. “What we’ve seen last year, and this year in particular, is significant growth.

That has a lot to do with where we are in our journey.”

Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary

Russell Clark.

Clark’s journey has brought him to a place where he’s making a difference locally in the way new buildings are put up and older ones are kept up, saving his clients’ money and minimizing impact to the environment at the same time.

From where Clark and his company stand in year 15, the view is pretty inspiring. While their main focus is efficient, practical HVAC designs that provide long-term value for comfort and operability in both new and existing buildings, they also work extensively with property management and development giants like Melcor and ATCO, auditing and assessing their buildings and providing recommendations for upgrades. Many of these latter collaborations have achieved what is a kind of holy grail in the HVAC industry: to allow building owners to address maintenance issues and capital expenditures that they knew they had to provide, like a boiler replacement, and paying for them with future utility cost savings. The key to making this work, and to apply to more than a simple boiler upgrade, is a comprehensive and integrated utilization of utility savings.

“If I look at the big picture I can say, you’re going to replace the boiler with a four-year payback, provide an energy recovery air system and get a three-year payback, and replace the lights and get a year-and-a-half payback. You can replace the windows and get a 40-year payback. But if you put them all together in the same package, what you’re reClark Engineering • 15th Anniversary

Some of the Clark Engineering staff hard at work.

these guys are using in the field, their level of comfort with technology is actually pretty high.”

And so is the growing level of comfort and confidence the client base has in what Clark and Clark Engineering can achieve for them. Whether it’s the new utility plant at the university and Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon with upgrades ally looking at is a seven or eight-year payback. So you can go for the low-hanging fruit and get a quick payback or you can look at the big picture and put together a package with a little longer payback but a much larger impact.” Some people go for the low-hanging fruit and Clark says that’s perfectly fine. “That’s your decision. But we want to make sure it’s an informed one.”

Clark Engineering is known for taking a very pragmatic approach when it comes to finding solutions for their clients. “There are a number of ways to approach a system design, and in many cases the benefits of ‘green’ technologies are being oversold,” Clark explains. “We try to identify the benefits of each, along with any potential shortcomings or risks.”

It might come as a surprise that in some cases, a client may make a decision based on philosophical requirements as well as those of efficiency and effectiveness. Someone may feel very strongly that they want a solution that relies heavily on solar energy, for instance, when solar, although very relevant, may not be the best answer for their needs. “But for them, it’s important. Again, our job is to make sure they’re making an informed decision.” Then Clark will design, for them, the best solar solution available.

“We focus on the client’s needs. Not just their physical comfort, but their peace of mind. Different people have different levels of comfort with technology,” Clark points out.

“A remote school board may prefer dials and buttons to digital controls. The guy coming in to operate the boilers could very well be a local farmer. Although, if you’ve seen what Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary

Topping Off Ceremony at the Mosaic Centre.

...efficient, practical HVAC designs that provide long-term value for comfort and operability in both new and existing buildings. that will result in savings that will pay for new infrastructure, or the first net-zero commercial building in northern Alberta, Clark - the man and the company - are making a difference.

Clearly, upon reaching their 15-year milestone, they are positioned to have their best year yet. Clark Engineering Inc. is here to stay.

9409 98 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T6C 2C8 (780) 440-2806 www.clarkeng.ca

www.midwestengineering.ca Midwest Engineering (AB) Ltd. | Manufacturers Representatives for Commercial & Industrial HVAC Products

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Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary

Vestate Moulding Ltd.

Turning Passion into Beauty for 15 Years

By Mark Kandborg

Wei Wong.

W

ei Wong, owner and president of Vestate Moulding Ltd., is a bit of a renaissance man. Today, he’s a painter, a photographer, an entrepreneur and a businessman, but when he and his family arrived from Malaysia in 1986, Wong had a tough time deciding between a career as chef or one as a hairdresser. In the meantime, he took a job as a picture framer at a small framing shop. Temporarily, of course. Such are the small, almost offhand decisions that can alter the course of a life.

Although he knew nothing about framing when he started, Wong learned very quickly. So quickly that in 1993, he opened a retail framing shop of his own. His brother Willie, an artist in town for many

years, integrated a gallery into the venture and the combination gallery and frame shop became Kamena Gallery & Frames Ltd., which Willie runs today with their two other brothers.

With Kamena Gallery in good hands, Wong moved on to create an early version of Vestate.

“I originally started Vestate as an importing company, where I would source factories overseas and bring in wood products. Not just mouldings for picture framing, but furniture and flooring as well to supply to local wholesalers.” It didn’t take long for Wong to realize that, in this case at least, dealing with three disparate elements was not an advantage. So, he cleared furniture and flooring from his plate and honed in on what he knew

Vestate Moulding | 15 Years | 1

15 YEARS

best – the business of picture framing. He also decided that rather than supplying what he imported to wholesalers, he’d become one himself.

“We started with a 3,000-square-foot location and started growing immediately,” Wong says.

Not only did he supply material, he began doing custom framing for galleries that didn’t have that capability. He also stepped up his already successful importing game a notch or two. “I travelled internationally to source materials, which was a big challenge because no one would tell you which were the best factories.” However, true to his nature Wong persevered and through a process of trial and error, found what he was looking for.

In fact, he brought back so much hard-to-find, high-end material that within a year he couldn’t store it all. So, he acquired a shipping container and filled it. He got another container. He filled that, too. Time for an additional warehouse. Then a third. Keep in mind that Wong wasn’t operating a museum here, he was operating a wholesale business, which was moving large quantities of these same materials out the door to his customers. But he was thinking big. In the same way that you don’t dress for the job you have, you dress for the one you want, Wong wasn’t setting up for the business he had. He was building the business he wanted.

When the leases came up for renewal, Wong decided to hand back all of the keys and trade them for just one. This key opened the front doors of a new 18,000-square-foot warehouse on 166 Street

Vestate Moulding | 15 Years | 2

and 114 Avenue, where you can find Vestate today.

Now Wong had the space to really do something special. “We were the first wholesale distributer in Western Canada to bring in MDF mouldings. We also took on polystyrene. We did this because of the challenge in acquiring specific wood species suitable for making mouldings.” This challenge has become quite acute in the moulding industry, which makes sense when you think about it.

We’re running out of trees. While wood is a renewable resource, there’s less and less of it available as the real estate it requires shrinks daily. While wood may be wood to a chainsaw, it takes very select species to make quality mouldings, and that’s the only kind Wong is interested in.

15 YEARS

When the leases came up for renewal, Wong decided to hand back all of the keys and trade them for just one. This key opened the front doors of a new 18,000-square-foot warehouse on 166 Street and 114 Avenue, where you can find Vestate today.

“As of today, it’s getting harder and harder to acquire those species,” Wong says, adding that there’s still a debate over whether it’s better to use a recycled product like polystyrene versus cutting down trees to make frames. “In the beginning, we had challenges with people not wanting to touch plastic because they would assume that it’s lower quality. But with the technology today, if you hold wood and poly you won’t be able to tell which is which.” He’s right. I tried. You can’t. Wong explains that there’s also a consistence of quality with synthetics over wood, and that using them is far more efficient than the biological model. Basically, if you want 10 feet of moulding, you get 10 feet of moulding.

“The biggest challenge for all moulding companies in North America is still that factories can’t find all the wood they need to supply the demand out there, so they’ve started using imported pines from Brazil and New Zealand.” But, as Wong goes on to explain, there’s a problem with that. In a word: humidity. It simply won’t work. It’s too dry here, especially in Alberta and especially in winter.

When these species leave port in New Zealand or Brazil, they’re straight as an arrow. When they arrive here, as Wong says, “they’re like hockey sticks.”

Despite the challenges inherent in sourcing the highest quality woods for Vestate custom-

ers, Wong is consistently able to provide the best the world has to offer; such as famously exquisite blood wood, named for its deep, exotic reddish colour. “Some people just prefer a natural material,” he says, which is why Vestate is the only wholesaler in Western Canada to carry just as much wood as poly. Wong has spent years visiting factories to learn everything there is to know about wood, from species selection to varnishing to packaging.

Couple that with his years working in the picture framing industry following trends and emerging technologies, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in Western Canada with a firmer grasp of the advantages and disadvantages of all the moulding options available. The end result? “We want people to be completely informed about what they’re buying, and to be able to choose from the best options available.”

Another thing that sets Vestate apart from the competition is their design capabilities. Wong has the ability to go from a drawing in his office to a product on the wall within a few months, and his own designs are now outselling all other profiles.

That’s quite a feat. This capability, and the fact that he buys direct from factories, means that his turnaround time is notoriously quick across the board.

Buying direct from the manufacturers enables Vestate to bring in very large volumes of product,

Vestate Moulding | 15 Years | 3

15 YEARS

“Fluctuation” Photographed at Waterton Lakes National Park, AB. One of Wong’s favourite places to photograph.

which means they can supply to the customer very quickly, even with large orders. “A 100 frames or a 1,000, we can supply them,” he says. “Our competition will have to order materials from distributers, but we already have the stock.” Is your company hosting a golf tournament and wanting to create memorabilia for the occasion? Vestate can design and build a complete framing package with your company logo, a laser-etched signature and photo of the event – as many as you need – and deliver them on time. Or maybe you’d like your clients and staff to receive a keepsake to commemorate your company’s 50th anniversary. These are just two examples of the kinds of custom products that Vestate, with its ability to design, print, etch and frame, excels at creating.

While Wong has worked hard to create a company you can depend on, it is perhaps the Vestate team that makes him the most proud. “Anybody can source and buy and set up a business,” he says, “but it’s our people that set us apart. It’s our service that got us where we are today. It’s not just what you sell, it’s how you sell it. Customers know us by our first names, and we know them well enough to know exactly how to help them. When you call us, you’ll talk to staff members who know the product from beginning to end and when it’s time to do the job, they’ll roll up their sleeves and do it.”

Wong’s passion for painting and photography led him to form W2 Gallery, which works hand in hand with Vestate. Throughout his travels, Wong has developed a unique photographic style, frequently

Vestate Moulding | 15 Years | 4

www.w2gallery.com

focusing on the subtle beauty within patterns of water. When he prints these images onto canvas, they take on the colour textures of an oil painting.

But unlike an oil painting, W2 can make them any size, and of any number. “It’s been hard for customers to find pieces that are large enough,” Wong explains, “even for some of the big houses you’re seeing now. You could hire a painter, but it takes a long time and you won’t have volume. You’ll get a piece at a time.” W2’s start-to-finish framing and installation now provides interior designers, galleries, corporate clients and hotels with a perfect solution to their needs. “I started W2 as a hobby,” he says, “but it’s turned into a growing business.”

This month, the celebration of Vestate Mouldings’ 15th anniversary carries with it the lesson that following the paths that you choose, learning as much as you can along the way and cultivating your passions with each step can take you to more places, and create greater things than you ever dreamed.

16602 - 114 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5M 3R8 Telephone: (780) 433-1695 • Fax: (780) 439-2067 Toll Free (866) 433-1695 www.vestatemoulding.com

E Construction Ltd.: Building Better Roads for 60 Years

By Mark Kandborg

One of E Construction’s Highway Division plants. It is one of the largest and most technically advanced.

S

mooth, well-constructed and properly maintained roads are a little like oxygen – you don’t think about them until you don’t have any. Luckily, the unsung heroes at E Construction have been working tirelessly for six decades, doing their best to ensure that you never have to think about the road you’re on. They want you to feel like you’re flying.

The company we know today as E Construction Ltd. (ECL) was founded by Ron Everall in 1954 under the name Everall Engineering, which became Everall Construction in the 1960s and operated as such until the year 2000, when they were purchased by Colas Inc. and became E Construction. “The company grew as the province grew,” says current E Construction president Doug Ellett.

It certainly has. What started out as Ron Everall and a handful of hardy employees has developed into one of the largest paving contractors in Western Canada with a workforce of nearly 600.

“That doesn’t include the support staff of subcontractors that work for us,” Ellett points out. “There are probably another 300 truckers and suppliers with us on a day-to-day basis.”

Doug Ellett.

New Thickwood Blvd Interchange, Fort McMurray (2012).

E Construction Ltd. | 60 Years | Page 2

Dave Manchakowski.

“We don’t have the same high turnover as a lot of other businesses, especially in the construction industry. We have a lot of people who’ve come back year after year, with several employees having 30-plus years of service.” ~ Doug Ellett what it is in 2014. “It was just a perfect storm for us to grow,” Ellett says. “The economy in Alberta was expanding rapidly and so were infrastructure improvements in the province. The people we already had were well poised to go forward with the expansion. They’re enthusiastic and very, very knowledgeable.

The behind-the-scenes support from Colas was the final piece in the puzzle, enabling us to grow to where we are today.”

Vice president of finance Dave Manchakowski joined ECL mere months after the big change in ownership. “A lot of people still refer to the company as Everall, even after 14 years as E

1950s asphalt plant.

ECL’s 1954 annual production of 1,000 tonnes of hot mix asphalt has grown to 1,000,000 tonnes as well as 750,000 tonnes of gravel base. They now run 15 hot mix asphalt plants to keep up with the demand.

“I don’t think there is a town, a village or a city in this province we haven’t worked in,” Ellett says. “Our head office is located in Edmonton with divisional offices in Fort McMurray, Peace River and Cold Lake and area offices in Slave Lake and Lloydminster.” ECL’s subsidiary company, N.W.T. Construction, also has an office in Yellowknife. “In addition to that, we have our highway division, based here in Edmonton, which paves highways all across Alberta and NWT as well as selected areas in Saskatchewan.” Each one of those divisions is basically a self-contained business unit, Ellett explains. “They have their own safety people, marketing people, project managers, admin staff and shop/maintenance people, along with their assigned equipment fleet.”

Ellett and E Construction have a great respect and appreciation for all of their employees. “We’re especially proud that we have a lot of people who have been here for a very long time,” he says. “We don’t have the same high turnover as a lot of other businesses, especially in the construction industry. We have a lot of people who’ve come back year after year, with several employees having 30-plus years of service.”

When ECL was purchased by Colas Inc. in 2000, their volume of work, while substantial, was only about 30 per cent of

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When you think about it, that could be one of E Construction’s slogans. ‘There’s no compromise’ applies not only to their dedication to their people and safety, but to their integrity, their work ethic and their commitment to their customers.

Construction, because there’s a lot of history there,” he says.

“What’s made this company successful under Colas is decentralization with standardization, which means we still make decisions, but within certain standards that we abide by, and have good leadership starting with Doug through the division management level. After major purchases like that, you usually lose a lot of key people, but we didn’t. I have so much satisfaction being a part of a company that has become such an institution in the paving business in Western Canada.”

“It’s wonderful to see how it’s merged together,” says Laura Chrapko, who’s been a part of this company for nearly three decades. Officially, she’s Ellett’s executive assistant, but few know the inner workings of ECL as well as she. “The changes I have seen in the 30 years that I’ve been here…” she says, searching for a way to put it into words. “I mean, we didn’t even have a fax machine. We had nothing. We had landlines. Our resources were very limited as compared to technology today.”

Although so much has changed, Chrapko can’t help but marvel at the fact that what’s stayed consistent is the personnel.

“There are still people here today who were there when I started in ’84. I have to say over those 30 years, the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with have made it all very enjoyable.”

For Ellett, one key to ECL’s continued growth moving forward is to maintain the company’s vision and the enthusiasm of its people. Another, he says, is to nurture a philosophy of succession. “Every job description below me has a successor’s name attached to it. We’ve identified that the success of our company will only come through succession, not just waiting until the last minute, but instilling the culture of our company – work ethic, honesty, integrity, all those things – on to the next generation. This has already been initiated.”

Equally important to ECL’s success is their long-standing dedication to safety. “We’re all proud of a lot of things, but what I’m particularly proud of is the safety of our employees,” Ellett says, and he means it. “It’s something we spend a lot of time, energy and money on. There’s no compromise. Safety first is the priority.”

When you think about it, that could be one of E Construction’s slogans. ‘There’s no compromise’ applies not only to their dedication to their people and safety, but to their integrity, their work ethic and their commitment to their customers. A lot has changed in the 60 years since a man named Everall started a company with little more than a name, a dream and a few good men, but the things that matter most haven’t changed at all.

Now, that’s something to celebrate. Here’s to another 60 years!

Congratulations on 60 years of Success!

8122 - 102nd Avenue, Peace River, Alberta | Phone: 780-624-2101 / FAX: 780-624-2103

www.glenarmstrongconstruction.com E Construction Ltd. | 60 Years | Page 4

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We wish E-many years ofyour continued success!

“Congratulations Construction LTD on 60th Anniversary and we wish you many years of continued success”

14610 Yellowhead Trail, Edmonton, Alberta T5L 3C5 1-855-474-CLMT (2568) • calmont.ca E Construction Ltd. | 60 Years | Page 5

Congratulations on 60 years of Excellence in the Alberta Construction Industry!

Northern Concrete Services Ltd. Is honoured to be a business associate of E Construction Ltd.

Northern Concrete Specializes in the following areas: • Sawcutting • Breaking • Removal and replacements of existing Concrete • Installation of New concrete structures • Curb, Gutter and Sidewalks • Driveways and Commercial Crossing • Residential, Commercial and Municipal Projects • New construction or Rehabilitation of Existing concrete • Northern Concrete has the experience to complete projects on time and within Budget

Unit 10 - 30 Chevigny St. St. Albert, AB T8N 5A3 • Ph: 780.458.3303 • Fax: 780.458.3306 • northernconcreteservicesltd.ca

In lieu of customer gifts, Arrow Engineering Inc. donated more than $7,500 for the Be Brave Ranch. Read the whole story and tell us yours online.

lit tle war rio r s . c a

2014

LEADERS OF TOMORROW 2014 AWARDS GALA - JUNE 19TH, 2014

Leaders of Tomorrow Honouring Edmonton’s

visionary business leaders

KIM AND GREG BURGHARDT.

FARHA AND NAHEED SHARIFF WITH FAMIDA AND ALEEM VIRANI.

CRYSTAL GRAHAM AND MARLON LEGGOTT.

KELLY VASS AND ROBERTA MACGILLIVRAY.

DIANNA BOWES AND JOHN MCEWAN.

WILL FORREST AND ALEKSA MRDJENOVICH.

DEB AND LINDSAY DODD.

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

LYNETTE AND TODD GRUNDY.

LEADERS OF TOMORROW 2014

AWARDS GALA - JUNE 19TH, 2014

MARK LUNNIN, GREG CHRISTENSON, PETER DIRKSEN AND DARREN TURCHANSKI.

STELLA AND CARMELO RAGO.

GLENN AND BRENDA MUDRYK WITH MICHAEL BACCHUS.

LINDSAY AND JUSTIN REYNOLDS.

CURTIS AND GWEN NIKEL.

KIM AND KEN JURINA.

JALENE SMITH AND LESLEY PAULL.

DEBBIE SLOBODA AND JONATHAN HOKANSON.

DR. AARON PATEL AND STEPHANIE STEEVES.

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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WWW.EDMONTONCHAMBER.COM

ACCESS TO MARKETS:

The Defining Issue for Edmonton Businesses

BY JAMES CUMMING, PRESIDENT & CEO

JAMES CUMMING

I

n Edmonton, the debate over access to markets is often framed as a local or regional issue. Every Edmontonian can see the direct impact the resource industry has in the jobs in the office towers downtown, in the industrial parks that ring the region and the remarkable quality of life that comes with a thriving tax base.

In addition to experiencing the material wealth, many Edmontonians act as stewards of the resource on a daily basis. Edmonton also lives with pipelines on a daily basis. Our community has one of the highest densities of pipelines in the world and our history with pipelines has been positive.

In Edmonton and Alberta, getting hydrocarbon products to market via pipelines is a straightforward decision. The direct benefits that come with responsible resource extraction are experienced every single day.

It is our responsibility to remind all Canadians that their prosperity also depends on this industry. Recently, the board of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce completed a strategy session, which was held in Vancouver. The purpose of the trip included meetings with the Port Authority.

The Vancouver Port Authority team fully understands the importance of access to markets and how the Prairie provinces are extremely dependent on this access. The port is loaded with products, not just oil, for export.

The Port Authority has been working with all modes of transportation on efficiencies aimed at reducing the time to markets. Private and public investments have been made in recent years and more are being contemplated.

New road construction, GPS for truck fleets, additional overpasses, expanded yards, a new grain terminal and the potential expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline each play a role in strengthening and expanding the Port of Vancouver.

We achieve this goal of access with a true understanding of the economic strengths of the western Canadian economy and making strategic decisions to provide the infrastructure necessary for prosperity. There needs to be a

common understanding of the benefits that each province receives when we work as a team to build our economies together. The other part of the strategic decision-making process is to fully understand what the argument against export infrastructure means.

You don’t have to like the hydrocarbon industry, even though government has delivered some of the toughest environmental and safety regulations in the world; but if this is to be an honest argument between two opposing sides then it needs to be recognized that every single day you depend on the taxes raised from the resource industry to pay for roads, education and health care. Go ahead and criticize the hydrocarbon industry. It is a large, complex and, despite the fact that it is run by remarkable people and businesses of goodwill and ingenuity, it does make mistakes. But, if the goal of the argument in opposition to pipeline and infrastructure development is to strangle one of the most responsible resource extraction regimes in history through lack of access to markets, then you should have the decency to deliver a viable alternative solution that will sustain our way of life.

I believe that as Canadians we should be proud of our efforts to date, and we should not apologize for them. We have been blessed with an abundance of commodities that the rest of the world wants. Industry has developed those resources and shipped them around the globe under stringent conditions and guidelines.

There are people who firmly believe that there is no safeguard stringent enough to justify resource extraction.

They are wrong. We have the capacity to do well today and the ingenuity to do better tomorrow.

Based on expertise and track record, Canada should be the global supplier of choice for hydrocarbon products. We are democratic, dependable, socially and environmentally responsible. Access to markets doesn’t just deliver our resource commodities to the world markets. It delivers some of the best business on the planet.

In addition to experiencing the material wealth, many Edmontonians act as stewards of the resource on a daily basis.

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

Some things...

Some things...

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EVENTS

Autumn After Business

Mixer & Tradeshow Wednesday, September 24, 2014 Northlands Edmonton EXPO Centre 7575 – 188 Avenue 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Members: $15.00 + GST Non-Members: $25.00 + GST

C

Sponsored by

M

Welcome a new season with new connections and new business opportunities.

Network with business leaders and decision makers, connect with corporate exhibitors and showcase your personal brand at the Autumn After Business Mixer & Tradeshow.

Y

CM

MY

The Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands offers the perfect space to host corporate events. Enjoy your networking experience in this open, welcoming, illuminated venue.

Rediscover why Northlands is home to many of Edmonton's most important and exciting moments.

CY

CMY

K

Edmonton Eskimos Sawmill End Zone

Tailgate Party

Edmonton Eskimos vs Calgary Stampeders

Saturday, September 6, 2014 Commonwealth Stadium Gate – 3:30 p.m.

Game – 5:00 p.m.

Join the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for the most anticipated game on the annual schedule: the Labour Day Classic Rematch!

Members – $89.00 + GST Non-Members – $104.00 + GST

First, guests will enjoy a tailgate-style barbeque catered by the Sawmill Group. Then, take in the game at field level and be part of the battle within earshot of players and officials.

Bronze Sponsor

A football experience like no other awaits you!

VS

Buy your tickets early!

ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY. VISIT EDMONTONCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS

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August 2014 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

EDMONTON.COM

REFRESHED EDMONTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRAND AND WEBSITE

Y

ou may have noticed Edmonton Economic Development looking a little different, starting back in January, and coinciding with our annual Impact lun-

cheon. At the time of the Impact lunch, we had just rolled out new brand identities for the organization and its divisions: Enterprise Edmonton and Edmonton Tourism.

We worked with DDB Edmonton to develop these new identities as a way to better capture and convey the new direction and energy behind the organization. Our new corporate logo reflects our vibrant new culture, and is more bold, confident and energetic. The new Enterprise Edmonton logo represents the promise of global connectivity fuelled by Edmonton’s entrepreneurial energy, construction and engineering industries; and the new Edmonton Tourism divisional brand symbolizes Edmonton’s colourful, energetic tourism industry and commitment to collaboration with a diverse array of partners to create memorable experiences for visitors. Each of these logos is grounded by a grey vertical anchor representing Edmonton Economic Development

and its team of established and trusted experts.

In addition to the new logos and brand identities, our new corporate site, IgniteEdmonton.com, and Enterprise Edmonton’s site, EnterpriseEdmonton.com, launched.

These sites are more engaging, visually interesting, and put you just a click away from all the information you need about Edmonton, the economy and building business in the Edmonton region. From statistics to thought leadership to easy access to the experts that can offer you a wide range of business services and strategies, if you have a business in Edmonton or you want to build one, EnterpriseEdmonton.com will connect you with what you need to get your business running right.

EXPLOREEDMONTON.COM.

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | August 2014

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Over the next few months, our teams worked hard on rolling out the new Edmonton Tourism consumer brand, Edmonton – Original Since Way Back. This brand takes something we know to be inherently true about Edmonton, that it is a great place to experience something unique and special, and uses that message to appeal to free spir-

its and cultural explorers looking for an immersive city experience and an authentic, sometimes even a bit rugged, adventure. We brought the new consumer website, ExploreEdmonton.com, to life with made-in-Edmonton photographs and stories, and filled it with hundreds of things to do in Edmonton in any season.

SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE WEBSITE.

The new look and feel of the website represents our premier conference centre as the world-class facility it is and works harder to engage visitors, events and organizers in the experience of attending and hosting at the Shaw Conference Centre.

In June, we rolled out the new Shaw Conference Centre website, although the logo remains the same. The new look and feel of the website represents our premier conference centre as the world-class facility it is and works harder to engage visitors, events and organizers in the experience of attending and hosting at the Shaw Conference Centre.

With the roll out of the Shaw Conference Centre’s new

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website, our suite of web properties is now relatively complete. The challenge now is for us to keep their contents fresh and interesting over time. We invite you to check out our blogs where our experts are sharing their insights, and let us know if there is something you want to see as you enjoy the summer, stir up your creative juices, and gear up for activities in the fall.

EDMONTON.COM

When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line, as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to contact SERVPRO® is so important. Just go to servpro.com on your mobile phone or call 1-800-SERVPRO to get the team that’s faster to any-sized disaster. We’re a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water or fire. So whether you’re responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 – be ready for the worst, with the very best. Your trusted, local SERVPRO® professional.

SERVicES in canada PROVidEd bY indEPEndEnTlY OWnEd & OPERaTEd fRanchiSES Of SERVPRO inTERnaTiOnal, llc.

Success has never tasted sweeter.

Jacqueline Jacek | Owner, JACEK Chocolate Couture | Fashion Lover | Cocoanista

Meet Jacqueline. Like 14 per cent of business owners that plan on making a real estate investment in the next two years*, she had a big-picture vision. When she outgrew the commercial kitchen in her basement, Jacqueline stayed the course—finding the right partner to expand her chocolaterie.

ATB’s expert advisors understood—and believed in—Jacqueline’s vision and helped grow her business. Today, she’s in a commercial facility with two stores. And we couldn’t be happier to support her, one hand-crafted chocolate after another.

Learn more about Jacqueline at atb.com/WeGrowAlberta

Who has the recipe for expanding your small business?

We do.

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS І CASH FLOW І FINANCING І KNOW-HOW *Findings from ATB Business telephone survey of 300 randomly selected Alberta Small & Medium-sized Enterprize owners/operators, published in ATB Business Beat, February 2014.™ Trademarks of Alberta Treasury Branches.