Business in Edmonton - August 2021

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THE MYSHAK GROUP PRIORITIZES PARTNERSHIPS

U N ITED SUPREME GROUP - CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 9 | Number 8

REGULAR COLUMNS

28

Our Airport: A Vital Economic Engine

By John Liston

30

Four Things for Manufacturers to Watch for This Fall

By David MacLean

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

CONTENTS COVER FEATURE

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plifting Clients, Teams U and the Community The Myshak Group prioritizes partnerships

By Nerissa McNaughton

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: MIKE MYSHAK JR., JIM MYSHAK, JOSH MYSHAK, MIKE MYSHAK SR. AND JESSE MYSHAK. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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LIFTBOSS

WHISPERING CEDARS RANCH

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iftboss Inc. was established in May 2006 by four partners John and Andre Gagnon, Dale Ryan Greir, a full-time powerline technician in Calgary, and wife Beatty and Marc Tougas to be a oneAlta., stop shop Janna, a registered nurse in Chestermere, enjoyneeds. raising their flock of 450 dealership for all material handling Having Rideau Arcott ewesindustry in their spare time. the four partners, worked in the before, pooled all there resources, previous experience Ryan’s passion fordesigned farming developed a young agemodel while heto worked together and a newatbusiness fill the that industry needed. alongmuch side hisneeded great uncleniche Howard withthe horses and cattle.

In 2012 they Liftboss is an Alberta owned operated establishedInc. Whispering Cedars Ranch just 10and minutes east of Strathmore. dealership, offering new and used equipment sales, aThe total department, forklift rentals, of forklift ranchparts is a tribute to the memory and dedication Howard who training, and to perform instilled his trained love for the landcertified and animalsmechanics in Ryan. repairs in shop and service vehicles to handle on site repairs.

Liftboss it’s lamb self and on quick Ryan and Janna’s goalInc. is to prides raise Alberta provide response the industry time to customer’s breakdowns. with healthy and proven purebred replacement breeding stock. They are also excited to be involving their one-year-old son Finnegan.

adding JCB construction equipment in 2017 has been a great addition, and has made Liftboss Inc. even more They are of the Alberta Lambindustry Producersin and work closely with visible inmembers the heavy equipment Alberta. the University of Calgary, as wellhandling as other They will always stay GenOvis, true toFarmWorks, their material organizations to better sheep industry in Canada. roots, but having anthe established and well respected construction line has solidified the fact that Liftboss Ryan found being ato powerline technician Inc. ishas here formany the similarities long haulbetween and ready compete. and rancher.

Whether you are looking for a new machine, a rental, service parts on an existing unit, or simply want “It comesordown to planning ahead and completing a task that can be a very second option on something, give them a call and that dangerous, sometimes during a major storm or other elements they be happy point says youRyan. in the rightcan direction. makeswill it difficult to stayto focused,” “Farming be very similar, As a group, Liftboss Inc. do what do based from the dangers of running various piecesthey of equipment to making on fourerrors coreinvalues: do whatcalculations you say you will in a an critical feed or medication that could cause timely manner; be open and honest; do whatever it animal to die.” takes; and service the customer above all else. As each grows, each is held Jannadepartment naturally has compassion for theteam welfaremember of people and animals. accountable to those principles, theiroffocus She has always had lot of interest in the health the flock. She uses her isnursing to beknowledge a qualityascompany well as advicethat frompeople the veterinarian to develop are proud work for for.prevention and treatment of ailments in sheep flock health to protocols

Customer service was the reason the company was born, and has captured an impressive share “We put the health and safety of our animals at the forefront,” says Ryan. of business for Liftboss. In the past 3 years, the downturn in thetoAlberta has small definitely The couple decided raise sheepeconomy because of their size and gentle affected the sales comparatively or lambs. nature. Specifically, they activity, raise Rideaubut Arcotts, which were developed at the service and Centre parts inbusiness has in the 1980s. Arcott used the Animal Research Ottawa (Arcott) noticed substantial growth.

The Ryan and Janna are excited to expand their sheep farm and involve several breeds to develop the line which have improved maternal sales team builds portfolios their family. characteristics.

Certain breeds used infor the development include Finnish each client’s service Landrace, Suffolk,needs Dorset, and Shropshire and East Friesen. preferences; this way, they can have “Janna and I would not be successful with sheep if it weren’t for our aThe conversation with a client instead Introducing of construction equipment. extremely helpful and supportive family,” says Ryan. “Even though our improved characteristics include high prolificacy, excellent the future of simplyability, walking them the family isn’t in agriculture, they have been quick mothering increased milkaround production, extended lambing season The new JCB Hydradig is the world’s first wheeled excavator and to support us and eager showroom.

Their clients appreciate to learn what we do. They are always coming to visit and help out.” and the ability to breed out of season. They also excel in crossbreeding tool carrier designed for purpose and built without compromise. the attention and reward them with programs with terminal sire breeds which emphasize meat production.

Travel to—and around—work sites faster than ever, maneuver into repeat business and referrals.

With limited chore time and a young child, the family needed to find a tight spaces with greater apply theofright attachments singleand versatile piece equipment that would take care of all their As their ewes average 250 to 300 per cent lambing, Ryan and Janna love safety, Material handling and forklifts werewhere and continue to be they’re needed. needs. From moving large bales of feed and bedding, building much this truly Canadian breed. a huge part of what Liftboss Inc. has grown from, but accessing pens and clearing snow in the winter, Contact Liftboss JCB for needed more infrastructure, information. their search soon lead to the choice of a compact track loader. With One of the biggest challenges for Ryan and Janna is marketing their sheep. research, JCB stood out as the obvious choice. JCB’s wide tracks, excellent cab visibility and side-entry cab have made their lives much “Everyone has tried lamb once, more often than not, this has been a bad easier, more comfortable and most importantly, safer. experience,” says Ryan. “Sometimes it can be difficult to convince them that our lamb is delicious.”

“The staff at Lift Boss, Calgary have been there whenever we need them; answering our questions, providing maintenance and repairs as needed Ryan and Janna have tried different avenues such as direct marketing, and encouraging us as young entrepreneurs,” says Ryan. private buyers and auctions.

EDMONTON BRANCH 7912 Yellowhead Trail Edmonton, AB (780) 474-9900

CALGARY BRANCH 8010 40 Street SE Calgary, AB (403) 301-0041

LiftbossJCB.com

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 9 | Number 8

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CONTENTS COMPANY PROFILES

9 51 54 57

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United Supreme Group Celebrates 25 Years

O verhead Door Celebrates 60 Years

A T Tech Custom Woodwork Celebrates 15 Years

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years

AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

40 45

Edmonton Is Busy!

Orange pilons, dozers and detours are good signs

By John Hardy

pen the Door, O Remove the Red Tape A look at the new legislation to modernize and streamline Alberta’s skilled trades and apprenticeship education

By Natalie Noble

PRESENTS

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ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Natasha Walz natasha@businessinedmonton.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have joined us in serving families over the past 30 years. Your support has helped hundreds of families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable home ownership.

David MacLean John Liston

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Nerissa McNaughton John Hardy Natalie Noble

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

COATING COMPANY TAKES CANADA BY STORM

BY RENNAY CRAATS

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anijel Slisko has paint running through his veins.

As a teenager, he learned the business from his father, who taught him not only how to do the job well but also how to run a business. Slisko was doing his father’s bookkeeping and banking at 16 years old, and he had a great grasp on what it took to be successful. So, when at 20 years old he ventured out on his own, Slisko was well prepared.

“When I started managing my company’s funds, I had that foundation,” says Danijel Slisko, CEO and managing director at United Supreme Group. “If he didn’t do that, I don’t know if I’d be as responsible.”

It took a responsible and ambitious person to launch a business barely out of high school, and Slisko jumped in with both feet when he started United Decorating. He started out painting houses but when he got a taste for commercial painting, he knew that was the path he should take. He revelled in the challenges those jobs presented and enjoyed being part of a construction team. Within a few years he was earning contracts to paint schools in the Catholic board and big box stores like Walmart.

“I was committed to doing this as my career and if I did it, I was going to be the best,” he says.

That personal commitment has served him and his company well. He provides quality service and welcomes new opportunities and challenges. He quickly grew the company from a one-man operation into a team of skilled professionals, and today, there are around 200 staff in the Calgary and Edmonton branches, with a developing presence in Vancouver in anticipation of branch expansion there. As he grew, he expanded United’s expertise beyond architectural painting and into a variety of specialty coatings. The name ‘United Decorating’ no longer fitted the scope of the company, so Slisko changed it to United Supreme to reflect the wide range of superior offerings at the company. Unlike many competitors, United is well rounded; it has professionals with expertise in every area of the business and crews that specialize in different applications so they can cover the entire coatings scope of a project.

With 25 years of exceptional service, United Supreme has become a leader in commercial and industrial coatings in Western Canada, working on everything from water treatment plants and bridges to skyscrapers and hotels. On top of the standard architectural painting, United Supreme offers a vast range of applications. The company has experience from floor to ceiling, offering concrete polishing, polymer epoxy and terrazzo flooring as well as anti-graffiti coatings, electrostatic coatings for metal surfaces and graphic films and custom wallpaper.

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United has also become a go-to company for protective coatings to battle corrosion and protect against fire. The team channels its creativity with projects too, as United can create stencils and apply murals to create beautiful spaces. Whether it’s the full scope of a new build or maintenance projects, there is little that United Supreme can’t do to meet its clients’ needs.

“We want to be a turn-key, one-stop shop for clients,” says Slisko. “With what we offer, we want clients to just come to us for all their coating needs.

Then they don’t have to deal with six different companies – they just deal with one manager and a bunch of specialists.”

United Supreme is taking the one-stop shop goal further as it ramps up the paint manufacturing division of the company. The new 25,000-squarefoot head office includes a large manufacturing area that allows United to produce highperformance coatings for its applicators to use in the field. The R&D lab is working on more than a dozen different types of coatings and United will

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Danijel Slisko. Photo by Riverwood Photography.

have its paint manufacturing up and running by fall. This includes industrial coatings that will be manufactured in an explosion-proof F1-rated room to ensure containment in case of an accident with the flammable ingredients. United plans to offer its own line of paint and coatings products to the public down the road, but for now they are exclusively for use on their own projects.

“We are taking things very slowly and making sure we’re following the proper procedures,” he says. “You can mess up your brand really fast if something goes wrong. It’s not a sprint for us, it’s a marathon.”

And it’s a marathon with no finish line; Slisko refuses to sit back and become complacent.

He is passionate about moving his company forward through measured growth to ensure his high-quality standards are never compromised.

To achieve that, United fosters a collaborative workplace of respect where everyone is empowered to find ways to do their jobs better.

This is apparent in United’s output every day.

“With that culture and attitude, there’s nothing we can’t do,” he says.

Its stellar reputation for being a company that will go the extra mile and solve unique problems will pave the way for that expansion. Over the years, the United team has made many connections by working with most of the large and small developers and the OEAC community in the province, and as those contacts change jobs, they bring United with them. Clients appreciate the vast knowledge and expertise of United crews and have made them their first-choice coatings company. United is proud to partner with clients on multiple projects and some he has worked with since nearly the beginning. United has earned the trust of clients, and the team is often consulted about which products and applications best meet a job requirement. This trust and experience led United Supreme Group to complete over $200 million worth of coatings in its 25-year tenure, and Danijel Slisko is excited at the prospect of exploring new ways to serve clients as it looks ahead to another 25 years.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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New Central Library, MRU Riddell Library and Mackimmie Complex in Calgary AB New Central Library

MRU Riddell Library

U

nited Supreme is thrilled to be a part of the above iconic projects. The award-winning designs created a beautiful and functional spaces in the downtown core and surrounding areas and has become a popular attraction.

Mackimmie Complex

United Supreme provided architectural coatings on the walls and the application of fireproof coatings on the 45-degree columns.

United also applied anti-graffiti coatings, provided wall coverings, and made the kids area extra special with huge animal decals in the playhouse.

The New Central Library is the jewel of the East Village.

Mackimmie Complex addressed new building codes and maintenance issues with commercial wall coverings and MRU Riddell Library is a four-storey stand alone LEED gold certified building to meet the unique needs of students, faculty, and community within our undergraduate university environment.

These were the fun projects Danijel had been involved in.

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Calgary International Airport YYC New Terminal Delta Terminal at YYC YYC Terminal

Delta Terminal

T

he new YYC terminal at Calgary International Airport is more than double the size of the existing Airport.

The new 186,000 square metre – two million square foot terminal space – is the size of 34 NFL football fields. It has added 24 aircraft gates at the YYC and has incorporated numerous technologies and processes designed to streamline the passenger experience throughout the airport.

Delta Terminal

United is so proud to be part of this iconic project.

United Supreme Group contributed to the Calgary Airport’s seven-level covered parkade by way of markings and way-finding signage throughout the parkade. The parking structure added almost 2,000 more stalls to YYC’s parking footprint.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Kelly Ramsey Building - Edmonton, Muttart Conservatory and Historic City Centre Historic City Hall

Kelly Ramsey

Muttart Conservatory

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elly Ramsey buildings in downtown Edmonton are historical buildings. Great efforts were made to preserve the original buildings as much as possible. This is the first new financial district tower built in Edmonton in 25 years. United Supreme was proud to provide coatings for this building and the team was excited to be part of project that so carefully protected and preserved the history of the area.

The Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton is home to more than 700 species of plants in three climateregulated biomes and all are located in the iconic pyramids. United Supreme was part of the renovation project that refreshed and modernized the conservatory and its mechanical systems.

The pyramids presented a particular challenge to the painters, and United found an effective (and fun) solution. To paint the inside of the peaked structures required an aerial approach. The United team strapped into harnesses and attached themselves to ropes to reach the high angle definition access of the pyramids from the top that stood about 80 feet off the ground. To apply a new coat of enamel paint to the steel required a spider lift so painters could reach the peaks of the pyramids. It was an unforgettable project at the iconic botanical garden’s location.

United Supreme was involved in restoration of the historic City Centre in Calgary and had the pleasure to paint and refurbish the office of the Mayor of the City of Calgary.

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Telus Sky, Stantec Tower, Eau Claire and 10th Avenue SW – Highrise Buildings United Supreme is involved in Stantec Tower

Telus Sky

10th Avenue

Eau Claire

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he TELUS Sky building is the iconic building boasting five levels of underground parking on which 30 floors of office space sits. Above this there are another 29 floors designed for short-term and long-term residential rental use. The top two floors are reserved for the executive level penthouse.

United Supreme is currently finishing off those top levels, which marks three years of involvement in this iconic building. This is the third-tallest building in Calgary with 59 floors. United provided architectural painting services along with anti-graffiti coatings and industrial intumescent coatings for fireproofing.

United Supreme completed the architectural coatings for the Stantec Building and exceeded expectations by meeting aggressive deadlines. The mixed-use skyscraper stands tall in the middle of Edmonton’s Ice District downtown – making it not only the tallest structure in the City but also the tallest one in Western Canada.

The Eau Claire Tower and 10th Avenue SW – United is involved in commercial wall coverings, epoxy floorings, elevators, bollards, conference centre, electrostatic coatings, concrete sealers, etc.

These jobs gave United Supreme recognition and respect in Calgary and Edmonton.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Sports Complexes – Calgary Climbing Centre, School Gyms and Swimming Pools Strathmore K-9 School

Calgary Climbing Centre

Trico Centre

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nited Supreme is very excited to share the work done by its team on the brand-new Calgary Climbing Centre Rocky Mountain with commercial special coatings. Climb Park offers an entirely original climbing experience. It’s a fun zone with 21 vertical challenge elements where participants push their limits on the jump tower, maze wall, balance pillars, freefall slide, speed walls, spider web, floating cubes, disappearing holds and more. This new facility is a cutting-edge place for climbers to train.

The fieldhouse gymnasium, offices, classrooms, CTS spaces and soccer fieldhouse is something to be proud of and boast our accomplishments.

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Schools in Calgary and Edmonton Districts Including Pool Renovations Schulich School of Engineering

Strathmore K-9 School

Joane Cardinal

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nited Supreme Group prides itself to be part of development and modernization of schools in Calgary and Edmonton. Right from Strathmore K-9 School, Joane Cardinal – Schubert High School, Schulich School of Engineering, U of C Education Tower, Foothills indoor fieldhouse Okotoks – the list is endless.

United Supreme has been involved in polymer epoxy, painting and coatings, commercial markings, sandblasting, special coatings, graphics, murals – United takes pride in showcasing their expertise in all the fields of coatings and special applications.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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National Bank, Porsche at Blackfoot Trail and Great Plains Recreational Facility Great Plains Recreational Facilty

Porsche at Blackfoot Trail

National Bank

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National Bank

he National Bank of Canada is headquartered in Montreal, but it has branches located across the country. The Calgary location on 8th Avenue SW underwent a significant renovation a few years ago, and United Supreme Group was proud to be part of the project.

All five storeys of the bank were completely gutted and renovated, from vaults to offices to storage areas. The atrium in the front entrance created a challenge for United Supreme’s team due to the immense height of the area. The team had to remove windows and climb out or scale down from the roof to access the highest points of the area to paint them. United is always up for a unique problem to solve or a challenge to overcome and the National Bank renovation didn’t disappoint.

Bringing together ice sports enthusiasts from across the city to the great plain’s recreational facility with multi-purpose rings for ice sports such as hockey, sledge hockey, ringette and figure skating.

Porsche, Royal Oak Jaguar Land Rover – utterly unlike any vehicles. United Supreme was involved in designing and defining the workmanship of painting and coatings in the luxury car dealerships.

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Bridges and Southwest Calgary Ring Road Development Reconciliation Bridge

Southwest Calgary Ring Road

Southwest Calgary Ring Road

U

nited Supreme is proud to showcase its involvement in the development of Southwest Calgary Ring Road Bridges totaling approximately 46 bridges linking the Southwest Calgary ring road that is built between Highway 8 and Macleod Trail SE which included 31 kilometres of new eightlane divided highways. One road flyover, one railway crossing, 46 bridges, one tunnel and three river crossings. A picture speaks thousand words. We are proud to share our achievement.

The reconciliation bridge showcases our expertise in industrial protective coatings. It connects downtown Calgary to north central communities in Calgary. The bridge is an important part of the Bow River Pathway system.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Hotels – Fairmont Banff Springs, Homestead Inn at Banff, Sheraton, Marriott – To name a few Fairmont Banff Springs

Sheraton Capri

Marriott

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nited Supreme Group has been involved in multimillion-dollar development and refurbishments of the major chain of hotels in Calgary, Banff and Edmonton.

The scope of work has been commercial wall coverings, guest rooms painting and special coatings, commercial polymer-epoxy, industrial coatings, concrete polishing, polymer epoxy, terrazzo flooring, antigraffiti coatings, electrostatic coatings for metal surfaces, custom wallpaper, line markings in parkades and graphic films.

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Bank and Baron Pub Bank and Baron

U

nited Supreme is proud of its commercial showcase of expertise in the Bank and Baron Pub with special coatings, custom wallpaper and wood polishing to name a few.

Built in 1930, the Bank of Nova Scotia building (that is now the Bank and Baron Pub) is a one-storey steel frame, brick and sandstone masonry structure designed largely in the modern classical style and located on two lots and a small portion of a third along the historic Stephen Avenue mall in downtown Calgary.

The heritage value of the building lies in its architectural significance as the first building in Alberta to introduce Canadian sculptural themes into a classical design.

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Congratulations to United Supreme Group on your 25th anniversary!

Supporting your business is our business.

Pros Need Pros.

© 2021 The Sherwin-Williams Company

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UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Rosario Frustaci Owner/President of Scirocco Concrete Ltd. Phone: (403) 616-8650 Commercial/Residential Finishing experts on all concrete projects

Congratulations United Supreme on your 25 years of accomplishments and many more to come.

Looking forward to our continued business in the future.

Congratulations United Supreme on 25 Years!

We wish you many more years of continued success.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT • GENERAL CONTRACTING

Bay F, 1235 - 40th Avenue N.E. Phone: 403 250 7610 | Fax: 403 250 8566 Email: info@Starcraftconstruction.com

www.starcraftconstruction.com UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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United25Ad_PRINT.pdf

Congratulations United Supreme on 25 years of success!

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2021-05-27

7:49 AM

Congratulations to United Supreme Group on their 25th Anniversary

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210, 2424 4th Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 2T4 403-266-2175 | www.hamrose.com

Proudly Canadian Providing Quality Paints & Coatings and Expert Advise to Canadian Communities since 1933 22 store locations in Alberta to serve you. www.cloverdalepaint.com

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www.unitedsupreme.ca 16

UNITED SUPREME GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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Panda Terra Losa 9772 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 5L9

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Panda Flowers, keeping it personal since 1999

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS TO YOU BY CANADIAN

Karen Masuda CPA, CA Partner, KBH Chartered Professional Accountants

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BH Chartered Professional Accountants is a fullservice financial advisory. Karen Masuda joined the firm in 2000.

“I had just written the CA Uniform Final Exam (UFE) and was ready to gain more experience and knowledge in public practice, and more specifically in the area of audit,” says Masuda. “I articled with a small firm in Sherwood Park and KBH was the perfect firm for me to grow and become the CPA I am today. There was opportunity for me to grow within the firm and that was very appealing.”

She became a partner in 2007, a career highlight and a cumulating of skills she developed since grade school.

Masuda explains, “Throughout my grade school years I excelled at math. My plan was to be a high school math teacher. I spent my first year at the U of A in the Faculty of Education majoring in math and minoring in accounting.

After taking some accounting courses at the U of A, my career path changed; I knew I wanted to be a Chartered Accountant.

There are plenty of innovations in the accounting space, and Masuda is happy to leverage them to the benefit of clients.

“Technology has always played an important role in our firm.

In a business such as ours, you must continue to explore new

technology. We have continued to build on this throughout the years including our most recent implementation of workflow management software. Our focus on technology became a key factor in enabling us to continue to service our clients seamlessly when COVID-19 had virtually everybody in our office working from home.”

The transition impacts future innovation in how she and KBH will serve clients.

“We recognized that through the pandemic the safety of our team was paramount,” says Masuda. “When you have a large team, the comfort levels of people working in the office is going to vary. In order to continue to serve our clients but still provide a safe work environment, we fast tracked one of the largest workflow changes in the last 15 years. Moving to a system that allowed an entire engagement to be completed in a remote environment created an opportunity to maintain our high standard of client service while ensuring no one on our team was working in an environment that was not right for them.”

She advises other entrepreneurs regarding innovation, saying, “We have found the key to introducing innovation in our firm is to ensure everybody is well informed, involved in the process, and onboard. Implementing in small steps so people are not overwhelmed is key to the process.”

Masuda advises other women getting into business or entrepreneurship, “Ensure you have an excellent support system and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

LEADERS MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT BROUGHT WESTERN BANK AND PRIME CAPITAL GROUP Listen to our podcast here: primeforgrowthpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Alina Martin Co-Founder, The Harvest Hub

improved quality, nutritional density and conflict-free products. Imagine eating fresh vegetables, full of nutrition, grown locally all year long. It’s possible. Our food system has major problems and we want to help be part of the solution.”

“T

he Harvest Hub is a technology-driven, yearround, indoor farm that can grow anything, anywhere in the world, regardless of climate. Our goal is to provide food security and access in areas that are challenging, like in Northern Canada, giving them access to products they are otherwise importing or unable to get,” says Alina Martin co-founder of The Harvest Hub, along with her husband, Sean Fillion.

“Sean is the visionary behind the business, I’m the implementor,” continues Martin. “He deeply understands the issues around food security and availability, along with understanding the challenges of indoor farming. I joined him in 2019. Ultimately, The Harvest Hub is growing system that can grow deep root vegetables in soil, indoors, in a fully controlled environment. We have a unique air flow technology in our pot system, which is one of the reasons we are able to grow vegetables like beets, carrots, saffron, etc. indoors. We are now building our third research and test facility in Crossfield, AB, Canada’s newest agricultural park, which we hope will be the showcase for what’s possible in agriculture as a whole from broad acre farming to craft indoor growers.”

Innovation in agriculture is important to the couple.

“Agriculture is changing, rapidly,” says Martin, “from new farming techniques to a more locally focused food system,

For Martin, this is just the beginning.

“Indoor growing isn’t a standalone category. The Ag-Tech industry allows for multiple pieces of agriculture to come together, from traditional growing methods to greenhouses and more all by utilizing technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible. This will radically change food security, access, and the nutritional profile of products. Eating produce that actually tastes good, is fresh and is full of nutritious value for your body has more benefits that we can count. As simple as that sounds, anyone living in a cold climate knows exactly what I’m talking about. Local food is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ it’s going to be a ‘must have.’ In our Harvest Hub farm, we have grown about 40 items including saffron. One day we hope to grow an avocado tree.

“What I love the most about The Harvest Hub is that this business is impactful and brings meaningful change. It’s about feeding people, helping our neighbours, making jam from the local blueberries grown down the street.”

“When it comes to women building innovative businesses” concludes Martin, “I say, just go for it, but do your research first. Not all ideas or businesses are good and/or profitable.

You will always regret what you don’t do, more than what you actually do. It may feel scary and that’s ok. Go for it anyway.

Life is meant to be truly lived.”

OUR AIRPORT: A VITAL ECONOMIC ENGINE // JOHN LISTON

Our Airport: A Vital Economic Engine

BY JOHN LISTON, VICE PRESIDENT, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

I

magine having a huge facility in our region whose primary focus is driving economic growth, diversification and helping businesses. A facility that supports thousands of jobs, multinational companies and small local shops, a place that attracts investment and asks for virtually nothing in return. What a gift that would be.

Fortunately, we do have such a facility, Edmonton International Airport.

Did you know that pre-pandemic, the airport, also known as EIA, supported 26,000 jobs and had an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region? It offered more than 50 non-stop destinations, supported tourism, investment attraction, energy development and so much more.

I can’t overstate how important an economic engine EIA is for us, but now this amazing facility needs our collective help so it can continue to help lift our whole region.

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the entire aviation industry globally. Airlines cancelled dozens of routes and passenger volumes at EIA fell to 2.6 million travellers in 2020 from 8.1 million the year before. With health restrictions easing and vaccinations rates climbing, airlines are now making strategic decisions about where they will fly and what communities they will service. Businesses across all of Central and Northern Alberta need a strong international airport for our continued success.

expansion project is underway. Other examples include the new Ag-celerator which will help grow food manufacturing, a 627-acre solar farm development financed by private investment, and many other developments in its Airport City Sustainability Campus.

For any business, strong air service matters. You don’t have to be part of the tourism industry or directly exporting to benefit. Maybe you’re trying to attract new investment from outside our region and non-stop air service will help bring investors in. Perhaps you’re trying to recruit a star candidate from a different part of Canada or beyond, or maybe you need to travel for work and can’t lose time in multiple connections – whatever the reason Edmonton International Airport is a vital facility.

There are ways we can all help ensure a positive future for ourselves by supporting EIA. When you travel next, make sure you travel through EIA. Talk with your airline of choice and request non-stop service to wherever you’re travelling if the route doesn’t exist. Airlines respond to demand and now is the time to make our voices heard as critical decisions about returning flights are being made. There are elections coming, talk with your candidates to ensure they understand the vital role EIA has in our economic recovery.

I would encourage everyone to visit www.flyeia.com/ community to learn more. Edmonton International Airport has always been there for us. With our support it can continue to help our region for a long future ahead.

Even in the height of the pandemic, EIA has found a way to continue supporting its mission of economic development and supporting our region. Cargo, exports and imports, have been a source of strength, and now a $36 million

JOHN LISTON IS VICE PRESIDENT OF ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP.

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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Keyano is offering an Asset Planning and Management certificate program, which has been developed by industry, for industry. This program is for individuals who want to start or advance their career in the oil industry, skilled tradespeople or individuals with strong logic and processing skills. Progressing through all stages of Asset Management, from reliability strategies to maintenance supervisor and coordination, this program covers the basic aspects of planning, scheduling, supply chain, and operations. The methods and tools used will help you maximize both resource productivity and craft utilization.

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FOUR THINGS FOR MANUFACTURERS TO WATCH FOR THIS FALL // DAVID MACLEAN

Four Things for Manufacturers to Watch for This Fall

BY DAVID MACLEAN

W

ith the world slowly emerging from the worst of the pandemic, manufacturers have reason for optimism. Demand is picking up for manufactured goods around the world and, here at home, oil and gas prices have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.

Higher prices should drive increased investment in oil and gas, which in turn drives demand for the valves, pipes and parts produced by Edmonton-area manufacturers. This is great news for business and our provincial government’s bottom line – which is in dire need of a boost.

For months we’ve been focused on the here and now, prioritizing employee health and safety and hanging on until the economy returns to some semblance of normalcy. It seems safe now to look at the future and make longer term plans.

Four things manufacturers will be keeping a close eye on: Will there be a fourth wave? The bottom line is nobody knows what COVID has in store for us. A recent spike in new infections in the United Kingdom (which has a very high vaccination rate) is a clear warning that we may not be out of the woods. We will not return to “business as usual” until we have a high level of confidence that the virus is manageable.

Businesses will continue to grapple with tough pandemicrelated challenges for the foreseeable future. Can you require employees to get vaccinated or even ask them if they are?

Do we continue to require masks in the workplace? After months of working from home, will workers be interested in returning to the office?

be heading to the polls and much hangs in the balance for manufacturers. If there’s a silver lining to the pandemic, it’s that our politicians and Canadians generally realized the importance of a home grown manufacturing sector. Now is the time for a truly national manufacturing strategy that helps level the playing field so Canadian manufacturers can compete globally.

Alberta government is building a manufacturing strategy. In the 2021 budget, the Alberta government committed to developing a sector strategy for manufacturing – something we at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters have been seeking for years. An Alberta manufacturing strategy must look at ways to de-risk investment in equipment and technology and diversifying markets. We’ll be making some suggestions.

Global supply chains are still wobbly. Container shortages and rising shipping costs hit manufacturers hard.

Shortages of microchips, semi-conductors and a range of other key products have even forced some manufactures to temporarily shut down. How soon can we expect a return to normal for our once-reliable supply chains? Again, this unique phenomenon underlines the importance of local supply chains. Perhaps the pandemic brings lasting change.

Alberta manufacturers are cautiously optimistic about their short-term future. A looming election and a provincial manufacturing strategy on the horizon give manufacturers a needed change of topic as we head toward fall.

An election is coming. Prime Minister Trudeau’s minority government is riding high in the polls and Canadians see light at the end of the tunnel. At some point Canadians will CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) IS THE VOICE OF CANADIAN MANUFACTURING. CME REPRESENTS MORE THAN 2,500 COMPANIES WHO ACCOUNT FOR AN ESTIMATED 82 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURING OUTPUT AND 90 PER CENT OF CANADA’S EXPORTS.

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BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY // COVER

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UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY // COVER

UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY THE MYSHAK GROUP PRIORITIZES PARTNERSHIPS

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

L

ift, haul, rent, store, plan – the Myshak Group of Companies provides all these services for the industrial oil and gas sector, on industrial site maintenance projects, when engaged in commercial building construction or module fabrication and more. Whether Myshak is supplying or operating cranes, transporting goods or providing warehousing solutions, each client benefits from a family owned and operated company backed by 25 years of experience.

“Mike Myshak founded what is now the Myshak Group of Companies after the sale of Premay Equipment, a heavy haul specialty trucking company,” says Jeremy Sparks, vice president and general manager.

“After the sale, Mike had the opportunity to retain and continue the equipment rental portion of the business.”

ABOVE: MIKE MYSHAK JR., JIM MYSHAK, JOSH MYSHAK, MIKE MYSHAK SR. AND JESSE MYSHAK. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY // COVER

Mike launched Myshak Sales & Rentals Ltd. on February 23, 1996, founding the brand on the core values of honesty, integrity, excellence, community, equity and respect.

On opening day there were four employees: Noel Reilly, Darlene Johnson, Jim Myshak and Mike Myshak. With a desire to provide opportunity for his valued employees to become shareholders, Mike moved forward with the next brand under the umbrella and launched Myshak Equipment Ltd. on September 29, 1999 as an employee-owned corporation. A year later Jeremy joined the growing company.

“My former employer sold their equipment to the Myshak Group,” Jeremy explains. “The Myshak Group needed my experience and expertise to manage the equipment they purchased, and the rest is history!”

That history includes rapid growth over the next few years, and employee numbers that swelled from four at the start to the 250 employed today. Now, the Group’s brand includes: Lifting Technologies Inc., co-founded in 2001 to provide rigging and spreading bars with baskets and platforms for labourers and materials; Myshak Crane & Rigging Ltd. (MCR), founded in 2005 as a full service crane company; Myshak Transportation Group, founded in 2011 as a full service trucking company; Energy Crane Service, acquired in 2013 as another of the brand’s full service crane divisions; Energy Wind & Renewables, the wind tower assembly company founded in 2018; and NexGen Transportation Services, acquired in 2019 to provide full service heavy hauling.

The core values Mike instilled in every operation of the company from the start are part of what drives the growth; and, as Jeremy explains, a constant focus on positive experiences for both employees and clients is also key in driving results.

“The Myshak Group of Companies celebrates its loyal employees and its valued customers – each of which, in great measure, have been the foundation of the Myshak

Group’s success. The best customers demand competitive, excellent service; the best equipment makes us competitive; the best people make our service excellent; and our people, customers, and equipment together make us successful.

Our employees, many of which are shareholders, treat our customers and equipment as it is their own – because it is – and that distinction stands out.”

The Myshak Group’s dedicated focus to an exceptional customer and employee experience goes beyond work and into the community to support the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Cross Cancer Institute, alongside a large variety of other local events and charities. It’s all part of giving back to the region they love, as Jeremy notes, “The Myshak Group feels an obligation to serve the community and supports many philanthropic causes. Even though our business opportunities take us to other parts of Canada and into the U.S., being an Alberta-based company is something of which we are very proud. We do our best to support local businesses and really enjoy the sense of community we all share. We are very proud to call Edmonton home.

Another aspect of pride is the low turnover of the team and the continued input from the man that started it all, Mike Myshak.

“We are proud of issuing shares to employees and having those shares increase in value over time for the benefit of those employees. Today, we have over 130 employee shareholders, including our #1 shareholder Mike Myshak,” says Jeremy.

ABOVE: ENERGY CRANE SERVICE DOING A TANDEM LIFT. PHOTO SOURCE: DEVAUGHN MCEWAN | MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR/MARKETING COORDINATOR

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY // COVER

Yet, it’s not all smooth sailing. Jeremy is quick to admit that Myshak Group suffers from the same issue plaguing many trades and labour-focused companies in Alberta today. As with everything the company does, they turn that challenge into a positive. Jeremy explains, “The biggest challenge is also our biggest success – finding, hiring, rewarding and retaining the best people and providing them an inclusive, equitable, respectful and rewarding workplace. The second biggest challenge is the Group’s biggest reward: maintaining a reputation of excellence while continually earning the respect of, and right to, serve its valued customers.”

Another aspect that the Group addresses head on is the fact that they are kind of a best kept secret.

“Many people don’t actually know the full range of services and products we supply,” says Jeremy. “We are known as a crane company, but we also build crane mats, provide customized rigging solutions, provide storage and logistics, international trucking and specialized heavy haul services, as well as a wide array of rental equipment including trucks and trailers. Customers benefit from a single-stop solution to all of their needs – the Myshak Group strives to provide that solution. If I could say one thing to our valued and prospective clients, it would be, ‘we’re here to help, whatever the job.’”

Some of the many projects where the Myshak Group’s innovation and expertise are seen include: • 105-D converter basket change out: Myshak’s jack and slide team removed an old converter and jack and installed a new 377,000 kilogram converter during a plant’s turnaround. The converter was maneuvered through piping with two-inch clearance. Work was completed during day and night shifts to ensure the project’s completion during the 29-day plant shutdown.

included 300 oversized loads of tanks, compressors, inlets, coolers, etc. that came from several points of origin across the province; more than 240 hydraulic platform loads; permit and government authority work to clear bridges for traffic management; and much more. This project was completed without any lost time or safety incidents.

• Custom fixed man basket: Myshak Sales & Rentals and Lifting Technologies Inc. custom designed and built a two-man, 1,200-pound capacity fixed basket that fits the boom tips on both the LTM 1050 and the LTM 1500. Upon completion, the basket was shipped to the client in Costa Rica.

• Wind Rise Farm 2020-2021: NexGen continued to be a vital part of Wind Rise Farm in 2020 and 2021, organizing the transportation of windmill blades, some of which spanned 72 metres. NexGen’s Over The Road services battled minimum clearances, two-lane roads, weather and more as they brought these clean energy blades overland from Lewiston, Idaho to Alberta. NexGen used its TEMISKO 5 beam blade trailers, which are the first of their kind in Western Canada.

• Worley Parsons CORD - Pipestone Gas Plant 2019-2020: Between August 2019-2020, Myshak’s NexGen Transportation division took on the full heavy haul scope for this project. This

Projects like these have earned the Myshak Group numerous awards and recognitions. In June of last year Myshak Crane & Rigging Ltd. was honoured to receive a Safety Award from the ABOVE: MYSHAK CRANE & RIGGINGS’S LIEBHERR LR1350 CRANE IN THE ACHESON YARD. PHOTO SOURCE: DEVAUGHN MCEWAN | MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR/MARKETING COORDINATOR

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UPLIFTING CLIENTS, TEAMS AND THE COMMUNITY // COVER

Crane Rental Association of Canada in recognition of MCR’s high safety standards and outstanding record in 2019.

“We at MCR are committed to continuous investment in both our equipment and our greatest resource – our employees.

We constantly strive to achieve our goal of an injury and accident-free workplace. That’s why we’ve branded ourselves with the motto Service with Safety. We provide quality and affordability with our wide range of specialized rigging, and crane service in Calgary and throughout the province to meet our clients’ requirements in both reliability and safety,” said an MCR representative in a press release. The next year, in 2020, divisions MCR, Myshak Sales & Rental Ltd. and Energy Crane Service all earned this same award.

Meanwhile, NexGen Transportation was recognized by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) with the 2021 Fleet Safety Award and 2021 Zero Accidents Award, while MCR earned SC&RA’s 2021 Crane & Rigging Group Safety Award along with the 2021 Crane & Rigging Group Zero Accidents Award.

The notable SC&RA awards are exceedingly difficulty to qualify for; the Myshak Group is understandably proud of its team in this regard. Safety culture is a very big part of Myshak’s identity and achieving the awards’ requirements of zero recordable accidents or incidents during the previous year and a property damage frequency rate of 1.0 or less (Zero Accidents Award); and a Workers’ Compensation Modification Rate of 1.0 or less, property damage frequency rate of 1.0 or less and an incident rate of 1.7 or less (Safety Award) means Myshak is exceeding safety expectations on all levels.

“These awards exemplify the Service with Safety motto that MCR prides itself on, as they constantly strive to achieve the goal of an injury and accident-free workplace. We are so proud of the commitment from all levels of the organization to ensure the safety of the teams is put at the forefront

of everything they do. Great work, everyone,” praised the Myshak leadership team when they learned of the 2021 honours from SC&RA. Jeremy and the management team are grateful to the clients, staff, labourers, founders, and the Myshak family. “We are very proud of our staff and their collective accomplishments – we couldn’t do any of this without each other.”

“The future of the Myshak Group is to continue to serve our clients and community while constantly striving to improve our clients’ experience, remain sustainable, and take our businesses to new heights,” Jeremy concludes.

Learn more about the Myshak Group online (myshakgroup. com), Facebook and Instagram (@myshakgroup), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ABOVE: MYSHAK TRANSPORTATION GROUP’S MT-110 DELIVERING MYSHAK SALES & RENTAL’S TADANO GR300-XL TO A CUSTOMER. RIGHT: ENERGY CRANE SERVICE’S TEAM WORKING AT AN AGRICULTURE PROJECT. PHOTO SOURCE: DEVAUGHN MCEWAN | MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR/MARKETING COORDINATOR

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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EDMONTON IS BUSY! // CONSTRUCTION

EDMONTON IS BUSY! ORANGE PILONS, DOZERS AND DETOURS ARE GOOD SIGNS

BY JOHN HARDY

I

t’s not your imagination! There are yellow and orange pilons, construction and barricades, detours and lots of commotion throughout Edmonton. And that’s a good sign!

From the final stages of TransEd, paving 30 kilometres of Edmonton roads, widening Yellowhead Trail East, bridges, new playgrounds and park upgrades to the expansion of Terwillegar Drive, planting 3,000 trees, repairing tens of thousands of potholes and much more, Edmonton construction is busy.

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Of course, the pandemic lockdowns and restrictions impacted Edmonton construction, but they didn’t take as much of a toll as seen in some other sectors.

“In Alberta, construction was deemed an essential service, so our projects have been able to continue throughout the pandemic,” says Adam Laughlin, Edmonton’s deputy city manager of integrated infrastructure services. “I’m really proud that we were able to keep people working and keep building Edmonton despite COVID. In fact, 2020 was one

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EDMONTON IS BUSY! // CONSTRUCTION

“I’M REALLY PROUD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE WORKING AND KEEP BUILDING EDMONTON DESPITE COVID. IN FACT, 2020 WAS ONE OF OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION SEASONS TO DATE AND WE EXPECT THAT 2021 WILL BE JUST AS SUCCESSFUL,” SAYS LAUGHLIN.

of our most successful construction seasons to date and we expect that 2021 will be just as successful.”

collaboratively with large projects, creating thousands of jobs for our local workforce and industry professionals.”

Matt Schellenberger, director of corporate development with the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) is also upbeat, saying “The ECA and our partners worked hard to ensure that construction was deemed an essential service and most construction projects continued throughout the pandemic with enhanced safety and sanitation measures. But no doubt about it, COVID did affect many aspects of construction, from project scheduling and timelines to materials pricing.

It has been an issue for projects currently underway and, unfortunately, has led to some project delays.”

In various ways, although Edmonton construction has had its share of challenges, it is also a story of resilience. Due to unexpected factors like COVID and other construction sector broadsides, Schellenberger notes that the local construction industry has worked through industry-related issue for several years, such as fluctuations in Alberta’s oil and gas sector.

The City’s 2021 construction details and specifics are a gung-ho reflection of positives. “This year, we have 271 active capital projects supporting over 13,000 Edmonton jobs,” Laughlin adds. “Some of these are direct employment (designers, engineers, and construction workers) and some are indirect, like material suppliers. Despite obstacles like COVID lockdowns, of the 271 active projects on-the-go, 93 per cent are on budget and 79 per cent are on schedule.

“Capital projects strengthen Edmonton’s economic recovery by providing jobs and hiring more than 300 businesses, subcontractors and suppliers that are locally owned or Edmonton-based businesses,” he says.

Schellenberger points out that, despite random hurdles, Edmonton construction in 2021 is an active, good news story, “Particularly with the City’s ambitious construction projects and retrofits, ECA members are working

“Material pricing and access have had significant impact and also the drop in not only skilled trades, but all workers,” he says.

“The reality is that, in 2021 and into 2022, many people are gone. Industrial is firing hard again with oil above $75 Bbl., so a lot of the labour is there. Also, there is still an Atlantic bubble, so the skilled trades that would commute to Alberta on a 21/7 shift can’t, as they needed two weeks of isolation back home.

“Another problem is that foreign workers on work visas have also dwindled. A lot couldn’t leave and come back and many work visas were allowed to expire as people stayed in their home countries. It has caused a significant shortage of labour.”

Schellenberger acknowledges that, although the usual yearto-year comparisons are impossible (mostly because 2020 was such an anomaly year for construction) comparing 2019 to 2021 projects is encouraging news for the city. He cites the Edmonton project count, from BuildWorks Alberta, showing an approximate 500 project increase in 2021, from the same time last year as well as an overall increase from 2019.

Schellenberger cites some Edmonton construction specifics for 2021 and 2022. “There’s lots happening – the Valley Line LRT, ABOVE: ADAM LAUGHLIN, EDMONTON’S DEPUTY CITY MANAGER OF INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES. RIGHT: MATT SCHELLENBERGER, EDMONTON CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (ECA) DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT.

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EDMONTON IS BUSY! // CONSTRUCTION

SCHELLENBERGER POINTS OUT, “WITH THE CITY’S AMBITIOUS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND RETROFITS, ECA MEMBERS ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH LARGE PROJECTS, CREATING THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.”

the Terwillegar Drive Expansion and Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion, as well as Blatchford Phase 1, the new Edmonton Hospital, Lewis Farms and the City’s Rapid Housing.”

With so much construction in progress, Laughlin highlights the work on two of the biggest projects – TransEd and Blatchford. “TransEd has made good progress recently

on the Valley Line Southeast and achieving service commencement this year. Staying on TransEd’s target will require the remainder of the design, construction, testing and commissioning activities to be completed without any further delays. While construction continues to advance, much of the system installation and integration work remains.”

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EDMONTON IS BUSY! // CONSTRUCTION

“It’s really exciting to see this transformative, city building project take shape and we can’t wait for Edmontonians to use the new line,” he says with positivity. “Not only will it offer a new way for Edmontonians to get around, it will also change the shape of the city they are moving through.

“When it comes to the four different stages of the Blatchford project, shovels are in the ground on the first two stages. By the end of this year, dozens of additional homes are expected to be complete or under construction, including new condo townhouses that will expand options for new buyers.”

He mentions that 2021 is not only a busy construction season but, according to the stats, Edmonton is well into the most ambitious four-year capital program ever. “A few of the major projects underway this year include the ongoing construction on the Yellowhead Freeway Conversion Program, the Valley Line West and Southeast LRT, the Terwillegar Drive expansion, Jasper Avenue New Vision and Phase 2 of Kinistinaw Park.”

Laughlin also cites a dizzying, but positive, construction project workload, including more than 110 kilometres of local roadways and sidewalks, four bridges, 182 kilometres of pavement renewals, three noise walls and two culverts being renewed, 14 pedestrian bridge renewals (11 in Mill Creek and three in other parts of the City), 13 new playgrounds and 3,000 trees being planted. He adds with the focused grin of someone hectically busy, “Not to mention the 164,960 potholes and asphalt repairs that have already been completed this year.”

He is revved and supercharged about the momentum of Edmonton construction, noting, “Many of these projects will be in construction this year or early next year, some new, some ongoing. We’re excited to be able to move these projects forward, to continue maintaining and building our city, to keep working with our industry partners and to help keep people working.”

When it comes to infrastructure and construction, Edmonton is busy and the payoff is incalculable.

“The $1 billion that will be spent this year on capital construction is an investment in this city we love,” Laughlin concludes. “It’s an investment in our future. We are planning

and building a city where people want to live, where they feel that they belong, where they have opportunities to thrive, and where they can freely access everything that makes Edmonton great.”

ABOVE: CONSTRUCTION ADVANCING ON TERWILLEGAR DRIVE, SPRING 2021.

CENTRE: WORK UNDERWAY FOR YELLOWHEAD TRAIL EAST WIDENING, SPRING 2021.

BOTTOM: A WORKER SMOOTHING CONCRETE ON TAWATINÂ BRIDGE.

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

OPEN THE DOOR, REMOVE THE RED TAPE // TRAINING & EDUCATION

Open the Door,

REMOVE THE RED TAPE A look at the new legislation to modernize and streamline Alberta’s skilled trades and apprenticeship education

BY NATALIE NOBLE

S

killed trades and apprenticeship education have long been massive drivers to Alberta’s economic engine.

It is not a secret that for many, this is seen as the quickest path to making a decent income. Terry Hintz, born and raised Albertan, is one of them.

Hintz earned her welding certificate at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in 2013. It was a fallback plan should her husband become unable to work. “This was my sole purpose in earning my ticket, and then I moved on to other things,” she says. “But it’s good to have this training to fallback on.”

The education was affordable, leaving Hintz loan and debtfree upon earning her ticket. Her biggest challenge was the variety of student attitudes her instructors had to deal with, including students keen to learn lumped in with others simply paid to be there. Some of the less-interested students wasted class time. “They made things very awkward for everyone involved,” she recalls.

Fast forward eight years and Alberta’s skilled trades and apprenticeship education system is set for an overhaul thanks to recently passed legislation to modernize it. It’s a response to predicted labour demands in upcoming years and the need for increased hands-on real-world training scenarios. The new framework supports the province’s economic recovery, stimulates job creation and allows employers to better develop their own talent.

ABOVE: NAIT CARPENTER APPRENTICE PERFORMS A TASK FOR THE 2021 SKILLS CANADA - ALBERTA COMPETITION, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN MARCH. CENTRE: MATTHEW LINDBERG ADDRESSES PLUMBING STUDENTS AT THE 2021 SKILLS CANADA - ALBERTA COMPETITION IN MARCH. BOTTOM: WELDER APPRENTICE BROOKE PETERSON REPRESENTS NAIT AT THE 2021 SKILLS CANADA - ALBERTA COMPETITION IN MARCH.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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OPEN THE DOOR, REMOVE THE RED TAPE // TRAINING & EDUCATION

“We know there are thousands of tradespeople retiring every year in the province,” says Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides. “We need to recruit and encourage more young Albertans to pursue incredibly successful career opportunities in the trades.”

It’s an exciting time for the province and for apprenticeship education, says Matthew Lindberg, dean, School of Skilled Trades, NAIT. “The new legislation and structure deals with all the existing trades here in the province, but there’s also an opportunity to explore apprenticeship-like programming branching out even further than our current offerings.”

The strategy, Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs, responds to recommendations made by the Skills for Jobs Task Force, a cross-section of representatives from postsecondary institutions and trade unions. Their final report submitted last fall called for a complete rewrite of the 30-year-old Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, with approximately 50 improvement recommendations.

“We listened to these experts and took their advice to heart,” says Nicolaides, adding that other countries often hold trades and apprenticeship to a higher esteem than Canada.

The improvements aim to change that. “We want to create an environment where a trade certificate has the same value, merit and worth in society as a university degree.”

Lindberg agrees, “We know that apprenticeship has changed, and our industry has certainly changed. The technology is rapidly changing with emerging technologies coming in while old technologies are being phased out or revitalized.

Course outlines struggle to be updated and keep up,” he says.

The case for increased programming under the apprenticeship model of education is not new. For instance, pursuing a law degree includes an articling component for students to practice in the workplace environment.

The first step to a modernized system with added programming required the new framework to differentiate skilled trades from apprenticeship education.

“Previously, if you wanted to pursue apprenticeshipstyle education, you had to be on a trajectory towards a designated trade. This included a lot of regulation and lacked flexibility,” says Nicolaides. “By distinguishing a trade from

apprenticeship education, we can better train and educate students who pursue a new career such as coding, banking or graphic design using the apprenticeship style of system, without necessarily having it become a designated trade.”

NAIT and other institutions are reviewing existing programs within business, technology and other departments to identify opportunities that bring employers into the fold earlier in a student’s journey. “We can see apprenticeship-like programming expand into other areas we typically haven’t thought of as apprentice type programs before,” says Lindberg.

New trades will also be created with improved delivery in apprenticeship education going forward. Lindberg says, “Students attended their training at the postsecondary institution for eight weeks with strict attendance policies and oversight around what they had to learn, along with standardized provincial exam testing across the province.” Such outdated apprenticeship structures are under review to create a more efficient system and get skilled workers back into the workplace more effectively. “Being required to attend eight weeks of technical training despite the ability to demonstrate these skills and prove the knowledge is not ideal,” adds Lindberg. “We want to support them to progress at a quicker, more flexible rate.” It’s a scenario Hintz would have welcomed.

Relationships among postsecondary institutions, students and employers should also be streamlined. “This allows us to get students back to their employer and have them

ABOVE: MATTHEW LINDBERG, DEAN, SCHOOL OF SKILLED TRADES, NAIT.

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

OPEN THE DOOR, REMOVE THE RED TAPE // TRAINING & EDUCATION

working, earning money, contributing to Alberta’s economy and supporting employers’ success more quickly when they demonstrate those skills,” says Lindberg, adding that if they’re not, “we’ll work with them to get them to that point where they are ready to transition back to employment.”

Previously, certified professionals returning to postsecondary studies to pursue a diploma or bachelor program received little recognition for their skills and knowledge.

“The new legislation gives journeypersons and those with a trade certification greater academic recognition,” says Nicolaides. “It opens so many more doors for our trades professionals to build on their prior knowledge while upgrading and completing a diploma or degree.”

More flexible routes into trades and apprenticeship education are also anticipated.

“Journeypersons will now have the opportunity to ladder into other programs,” says Lindberg. “This will help them be successful in their current career and potentially change careers or move into a managerial or entrepreneurial position.”

That flexibility component supports the creation of new diplomas. Students interested in a trade but struggling to find employment now have more entry options. “Or, if someone has taken that apprenticeship path and wants to move over into a diploma-style pathway, that ability will be there,” says Lindberg. “These are options we’ve never had before.”

Once formed, the new Board of Skilled Trades will enjoy more increased flexibility, independence and autonomy than the previous Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.

“The new board, along with the entire governance framework, is a way to build stronger partnerships,” says

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BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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OPEN THE DOOR, REMOVE THE RED TAPE // TRAINING & EDUCATION

Nicolaides. “We found ways to give more authority and decision-making independence to the Board of Skilled Trades rather than having all that authority vested in government and its associated bureaucracy. It will make the trades environment more streamlined, efficient and responsive.”

It also comes with stronger representation from across the industry. “For the trade system to operate effectively, we need government, industry employers, representative unions and postsecondary institutions all at the table. These are the four critical partners that make the system function well and will reinvigorate the system,” adds Nicolaides.

“We’re looking forward to contributing in response to the feedback we’re hearing from our industry partners [and students] we know are critical to the success of this system,”

says Lindberg. “We want to explore how we can make things better, more efficient, and ensure the curriculum keeps up with the rapidly changing technologies.”

NAIT’s newly launched diploma programs in four compulsory trades – plumbing, welding, automotive service and electrical installations technology – are already virtually full for this September’s start.

Lindberg notes, “We launched them quickly knowing those trade areas are going to see significant labour shortages in the near future. This other pathway is going to be just as appetizing for some of these younger demographics, especially those wanting to move directly from high school into a trade. Work is underway to improve options in new and existing programs that will become more apprenticeshiplike in the future. There’s more news to come by year’s end.”

Alberta’s government invites postsecondary institutions and industry groups to submit proposals requesting new certificate and diploma programs structured with paid on-the-job mentorship as an educational component.

Nicolaides explains, “Any applicable area – coding, cyber security, graphic design, banking, marketing, business, and others, will be considered.”

October’s application deadline will see accepted proposals qualify for grant funding to support program design and implementation.

“There’s a real exciting opportunity for Alberta to be trailblazers here,” Nicolaides concludes. “I firmly believe other provinces will be looking at these changes and thinking about replicating them in the future. We’re eager to embark on these initiatives.”

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

2021 Board of Directors

The Importance of Air Market Access

Board Executive

Chair: Elan MacDonald Vice President (External Relations), University of Alberta Vice Chair: Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory Secretary-Treasurer: Craig Thorkelsson Head of Tax, PCL Constructors Inc. Past Chair: Bryan DeNeve Senior Vice President, Operations, Capital Power Jeffrey Sundquist President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

Board Directors

Haydar Al Dahhan President and CEO, Design Works Engineering Aziz Bootwala Managing Principal, Edmonton, Vice President, Business Development, Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. Nathan Carter Vice President, Operations Audit, ATCO Jonathan Gallo Managing Partner, Gallo LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Jason Pincock CEO, DynaLIFE Medical Labs

Edmonton Chamber Executive

Scott Channon Director, Marketing and Communications Brent Francis Director, Advocacy and Outreach Christen Rumbles Director, Finance Amin Samji Director, Member Services

Contact

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 World Trade Centre 9990 Jasper Ave Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com

Jeffrey Sundquist, President & CEO

E

dmonton International Airport, or EIA as it’s commonly known, is among the most important assets in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region when it comes to economic development and growth. In short—EIA helps move our people, products and services to markets around the world.

EIA is a logistics powerhouse. Retail products, medical equipment, prescription drugs, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, and many other products all move through our airport. As Edmonton is the northernmost big city in North America, EIA facilitates the fastest and simplest cargo route to Asia by flying over the pole. EIA is building on this strength with a $36 million cargo expansion project. But cargo is not limited to these kinds of flights—important goods often travel in the holds of passenger aircraft and losing flights to 39 destinations due to the pandemic meant losing access to dozens of international markets.

A strong economy requires a strong airport, which is why we have made improving air service linkages a key priority for the Edmonton Chamber. All 10 Chambers in our region are aligned in this effort, as we all understand the fundamental importance of EIA to investment attraction, business retention, and growing our economy. It would be difficult to convince investors and site selectors that our region is the right place for their next office or facility if we don’t have efficient flights. For existing businesses, strong air service is vital for future growth and opportunities.

For those businesses exporting to other markets through the airport, any logistics challenges or increased delivery times could make them less competitive in the marketplace—if you are trading perishable goods like seafood and flowers, a few short hours of delay could be an enormous and costly problem. We have many convention facilities in Edmonton who compete with counterparts around the globe to attract international conferences and events. In the convention business, efficient air travel is a key factor taken into consideration when deciding where to host a gathering. The contributions EIA makes to our economic growth—and indeed the diversity of our economy—is remarkable.

EIA embraces innovation to diversify our economy, combat climate change and create much-needed jobs. This includes the Airport City Sustainability Campus, which will examine new technologies to reduce the carbon impact of air travel through electrification, hydrogen fuel cells, and sustainable aviation fuels. With a 627-acre solar farm being built in 2022, EIA will soon be generating more renewable energy than any other airport on the planet. It’s also developing an ag-celerator for food innovation, helping our region grow the food manufacturing and processing industry to help make the most of productive farmland and our strong food science system.

As you head out on your vacations and business travel this summer, make sure you’re supporting EIA with your business. As you speak to politicians who are out campaigning in the dog days of summer, please ensure they understand the vitally important role EIA plays in our economy. If we each do our part, we can ensure this powerhouse continues to fuel our economic recovery, and diversification.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // AUGUST 2021

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Fountain Tire Ltd. Member Profile Brent Hesje, CEO, Fountain Tire Ltd. www.fountaintire.com What’s your story?

For 65 years, Fountain Tire has been driven by a passion for customer service, the spirit of partnership and a love for vehicles.

The company started in 1956 when Bill Fountain opened his first store in Wainwright, Alberta.

Bill’s outstanding customer service, infectious work ethic, and commitment to partnerships were integral to the company’s success.

Under a unique business model, successful store managers were offered ownership of the business through a 50/50 partnership in their operation, a system still followed today.

Fountain Tire quickly grew from one doublebay garage to include stores across Alberta, the Prairies, and Canada.

Today, Fountain Tire is one of Canada’s premier tire and automotive service networks with 160 locations from British Columbia to Ontario. It is also a leading provider of tires and tire-related services to commercial truck fleets and off-road vehicles used in agriculture, oil and gas, mining, and construction. All of these lines of business are proudly guided by a tight-knit team of employees at the company’s head office in Edmonton.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce?

Partnerships are engrained in every level of Fountain Tire’s business, from our shared store ownership model to the way we work with our customers to the deep involvement we have in the communities in which we operate. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce operates in the same way—it provides the ideal environment to connect, collaborate and contribute. We’re honoured to be a part of it.

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AUGUST 2021 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

What is one thing people are surprised to learn about your business?

Our roots are right here in Alberta! Fountain Tire started in Wainwright and, to accommodate the company’s growth, a corporate head office was established in Edmonton. As our network of stores grows across the country, this city will always be our home.

What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it?

The tire industry is rapidly changing. Discount and online retailers are gaining market share and commercial customers face increasingly complex business challenges. In the face of disruption, Fountain Tire wants to ensure that personalization and a collaborative approach remain at the forefront of our business.

Through every level of our company and through every relationship, our end goal is to take care of our customers’ fleets and personal vehicles like they are our own, and to solve problems with our customers so they never have to solve them alone. We’ve done extensive work in the past few years to uncover the fundamentals of our brand, solidify our corporate purpose, and structure our teams to deliver on those tenets.

If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be?

Rather than dwell on improvements, we’d like to point out one exceptional feature of Edmonton’s business environment—its sense of community. While not a small city, we keep that small-town feel. We’re a collaborative, “pitch in and get it done” kind of place. Our business leaders, community leaders and thought leaders come together to achieve great things.

OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton Celebrates 60 Years

By Nerissa McNaughton

F

or 100 years, Overhead Door® has provided the utmost convenience for home and business owners by inventing the first uplift garage door in 1921, followed by the electric garage door in 1926. Founder C.G. Johnson not only created one of the modern devices we rely so heavily on today, he backed each delivery and installation with outstanding service and quality products.

That tradition continues on today.

Overhead Door arrived in Edmonton by a bit of a circular route. Ray and Moyra Storey joined the franchise in Saskatoon in 1961. In short order, the Storeys grew the business across Alberta, Saskatchewan and BC. They purchased the Edmonton franchise in 1969 and shortly thereafter John Storey joined the family business, leading the Edmonton branch. In 2016, ownership transitioned to Brendan Storey and Greg Yost. Today, as Overhead

Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton Celebrates 60 Years | Page 1

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Door Co. of Edmonton celebrates 60 years in the capital city, they consistently rank in the top five in volume among the 450+ distributors across North America.

Photos by Rebecca Lippiatt

A one-stop solution, clients can rely on Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton 24/7. Residential doors include steel and aluminum across a variety of styles designed to resemble traditional and modern iterations of carriage house, wood, and sleek minimalist doors. Thermacore® technology, a choice for the consumer when choosing an insulated garage door, provides maximum thermal efficiency – perfect for Edmonton’s cold months.

The commercial selection includes rolling steel, high speed, sectional, and security grilles in (depending on the style) metal, aluminum and glass, or fabric. The Overhead Door team helps clients design their best solution among this selection, be it a door with a high fire rating, wind load capacity, or insulated core. The goal is a commercial door that exceeds performance – and that is what Overhead Door aims to deliver every time.

Greg Yost and Mike Kostuik

Mike Kostuik, Director, Commercial Operations, who joined the Edmonton branch in 2018, further describes why Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton continues to be a decades-long success.

“Our people are the reason we have been and will continue to be successful. The group of field technicians we’ve assembled is second to none and our office staff

Congratulations

Overhead Door, on 60 years of business!

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Ron Yost

are some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated team members supporting them. In every department you will find a group that comes to work every day with the sole focus of helping our customers succeed.”

He continues, “Our team is encouraged to makes decisions based on relationships rather than an individual transaction or project. We’ve established some very important partnerships over the past 60 years, enabling us to weather many storms and continue to grow in the process. It’s our ownership’s mandate to support these partnerships above all else, and this is what sets us apart.”

A continued presence in Edmonton is important for the local owners, and for the brand. The leadership team says, “The intersection of businesspeople, local government, provincial government, diverse customer base, suppliers and friends makes the business community better and makes Edmonton better.”

John Storey adds, “The Edmonton business community has a very family-like feel. You can trust the relationships that you build, and the events over the last 18+ months have demonstrated how valuable these relationships

Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton Celebrates 60 Years | Page 2

truly are. The community has supported our organization for a long time and we just hope to continue to give its members the same value that we receive.”

Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton is very grateful to the employees and clients that have helped make the local distributor a success.

Supporting the community is one of Overhead Door’s main priorities. The John and Dianne Storey Family Foundation supports 22 local charities with annual donations; due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation significantly increased its donations over the past year and a half.

“Our company is excited for the next five years of our strategic plan, which includes continued focus on our core competencies, expansion in products, services and new markets while embracing a lean culture – all of which are possible through an exceptional team of people that make it happen each and every day for the customer,” concludes Greg Yost. “Sixty years is just the beginning!”

It’s not just the community and customers that have Overhead Door’s focus. Leadership is committed to providing an outstanding working environment for the team. With this value top of mind, both the brand and the local branch are thrilled to rate high on Glassdoor, an independent employee review site where workers can describe their experience working for companies across Canada.

11703 – 160 Street Edmonton, AB T5M 3Z3 Local: (780) 451-0060 | Toll Free: (888) 451-0060

www.overheaddoor.ca

GARAGE DOOR EXPERTS Since 1921

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Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton Celebrates 60 Years | Page 3

6/25/21 10:21 AM

Saul Christensen, Alex Baron, Nicole Bird, Kaylyn Walger and Trelly Shank.

NO LIMITS

AT Tech Custom Woodwork Keeps Traditional Woodworking Alive

By Nerissa McNaughton

A

T Tech Custom Woodwork Inc. handcrafts exceptional cabinetry, stairways, doors, millwork and more. Each piece is backed by decades of executive home finishing experience to provide one-of-akind pieces not available in stores. AT Tech handles every aspect of the project from start to finish and has quietly amassed a loyal client following that includes some of

the biggest home builders in Alberta. Yet, for Alex Baron, president and owner, it’s not about the enviable client list or the fact that their work has become highly sought after for its unique creation methods and outstanding quality. It’s about using traditional woodworking skills to provide each client with a finished piece that goes beyond their expectations.

CONGRATULATIONS ON 15 YEARS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT WINDSOR PLYWOOD 780-463-9663 | EDMONTON99@WINDSORPLYWOOD.COM | 4136 99TH STREET AT Tech Custom Woodwork | 15 Years | 1 54

“It’s all done the old fashioned way, the way I did it in my dad’s custom woodshop,” says Alex with pride.

When we look for staff we have to make it clear that we are an old fashioned shop and anything we do here, we have to puzzle out with brain power.”

Being a traditional shop has set AT Tech apart. Within the first six months Alex and Trelly brought on a helper.

The growth continued and now they have a team of designers, spray shop workers and a sales assistant.

But it’s not just the projects driving the growth.

“I treat my customers like they are my friends,” says Alex. “I am honest and loyal. I treat them how I want to be treated. That is the service they get.”

In return, the clients are loyal too. During the first week of the pandemic, business slowed down even though AT Tech was deemed an essential service. That changed quickly. Alex explains, “Some clients made sure we were busy, ordering items just to keep us working. That’s the kind of clients we have. We are very blessed.”

“Trelly Shank and I opened AT Tech Custom Woodwork in 2006,” says Alex. “We wanted to carry on with custom building, not everyday mass produced millwork. We run a no holds barred, no limits, opento-your imagination, custom woodshop. A true old fashioned woodshop.”

While some custom shops rely on technology to create new designs, the woodworkers at AT Tech start with pencil and paper sketches and end with using their hands, not computers, to craft each item.

Although AT Tech is focused on traditional woodwork, that doesn’t mean Alex and Trelly are not progressive.

After catching the eye of, and acquiring the millwork for, RSVP Design Inc., the two brands are embarking on an exciting collaboration where AT Tech projects will be featured, for the first time, in a showroom.

RSVP Design works with architects, designers and builders to create outstanding, sustainable spaces for clients. Alex and Trelly couldn’t be happier about the partnership.

“People are surprised that we do our work out of a small 5,000 square foot shop,” smiles Alex. “It’s a small

Congratulations to the AT Tech team on your 15th Anniversary!!

14505 116 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 3E8 Tel: (780) 453-5691 | Fax: (780) 454-4022

www.glenoralumber.ca

A testament to your continued hard work, passion and dedication to industry. Proud to be your supplier of choice.

AT Tech Custom Woodwork | 15 Years | 2

crew working long hours; real dedication. Now we have RSVP Design. This is a very different, very new step for us, but it is also very exciting. Nicole from RSVP Design helped us turn and revamp our vision. She is helping us get to the next step. We’ve done the small shop thing and look forward to growing.”

Alex and Trelly are also grateful to the many clients that have helped them grow over the years, and the customers that loved their custom woodwork items.

“The folks at Glenora Lumber, they are good friends of ours and are wonderful to work with. And our clients – when they see the value of what they paid for their reaction is great. This is why I do this!”

AT Tech is proud to call Edmonton home.

Congratulations to AT Tech on 15 years!

www.formationswood.com

Congratulations AT Tech Custom Woodwork on 15 years!

“Edmonton is a big city but the construction industry here is small. It keeps the good people busy because word of good work travels fast. I encourage buyers to keep your money local. Support small business. Mom and pop shops like ours are help keep Edmonton going,” says Alex.

With the new venture with RSVP Designs and COVID restrictions eased, Alex and his team can’t wait for the next steps.

“We’ve never had a beautiful showroom to showcase our products before. This is new to us. We were just a little woodshop. It’s amazing to have someone like RSVP believe in us. We used to go to our clients and interact face-to-face. It is good to be getting back to that. We plan to grow – but not too fast! It’s important to keep things sustainable.”

Alex concludes with a message for future clients, “Trust me. Your project will be beautiful!” He laughs, then says, “We are pretty lucky. We get up every day to do what we love, and we have good support behind us.”

Showroom: 4552 – 99 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 5H5 Phone: 780.452.3753 Email: design@rsvpdesign.ca www.at-techwoodwork.ca AT Tech Custom Woodwork | 15 Years | 3

Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt

A PASSION FOR BUILDING Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years

F

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

ounded by Brent Fillmore in 1991, Fillmore Construction Management Inc. is proud to celebrate 30 years of general contracting for local, national, and international property owners.

They complete new construction, tenant improvement, renovation, expansion and facility maintenance projects across Western and Northern Canada.

“Brent came to Edmonton in 1976 after graduating from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) as a civil engineer,” says Chris Fillmore, president. “He quickly

became a project manager with a national contractor.”

Chris continues, “Through lessons learned from 13 years of managing projects, developing the business and holding various VP roles with his previous employer, Brent formulated his own approach to how he would run his company. Brent was looking to start his own small construction business and the opportunity presented itself through many repeat client relationships. He knew the key to success was based on relationships and bringing repeated value to them. Brent was dedicated to the idea that you didn’t

CONGRATULATIONS FILLMORE CONSTRUCTION ON YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY!

Quality work done by quality people Steel Framing | Drywall | Finishing | Acoustic Ceilings | Specialty Walls & Ceilings | Firestopping

4614 97 St. Edmonton AB T6E 5N9 info@oilcitydrywall.ca | 780 485 1995 | www.oilcitydrywallnorth.ca

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years

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need to have hundreds of clients and instead would focus on ensuring a smaller pool of clients were given the best service possible. Ready to set out on his own and found Fillmore Construction, Brent put this approach to the test.”

CONGRATULATIONS Fillmore Construction Management Inc. ON 30 years!

9940 76 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T6E 1K7 Office: (780) 756-9713 | Fax: (780) 756-9712

terrawerxmechanical.com

201, 10217 – 106 Street NW Edmonton, AB admin@pwarch.ca | Office: 780.643.3233

weareplanworks.ca

Congratulations to Fillmore Construction on 30 Years!

We have truly valued working together over the last decade and we wish you many more years of continued success.

Congratulations Fillmore Construction!

Today Fillmore Construction completes over 100 projects annually across the range of commercial, multifamily, food manufacturing/distribution and light industrial industries.

“By working with exceptional long-term clients in a wide variety of market sectors, we ensure Fillmore Construction can thrive through any economic climate we confront. We can comfortably work with several contract types or styles while providing effective value-added pre-construction and construction services at all times,” says Chris.

“We have worked with many of the same clients for 10, 15, 20, 25 or even 30 years. These repeat clients have enabled us to grow as they have grown. Our greatest opportunities for growth have occurred when key clients needed more sophisticated projects and brought us along for the next phase of their growth. For example, after completing a $9 million commercial professional development for RISE Developments, they brought us in to build a $32 million mixed-use multifamily development in Kelowna. The relationship that started in Grande Prairie several years earlier on a much smaller project birthed our Kelowna operation and introduced us to numerous other great clients and projects. We are currently completing several $20M to $60M projects for multiple clients following The Shore.”

From the start, Brent had guiding values for his company. Thirty years on, those values remain the same. Chris explains, “Our values are people, passion, integrity and innovation. People come first.

Our teams are provided with excellent working conditions and benefits, along with opportunities for growth and education. Passion – we love to build, and we build it right. Integrity means being accountable to everyone involved on the project.

Through innovation we proceed with learning, curiosity and creativity. We reject the status quo and look for better ways to build.”

9320 31 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB, T6N 1C4 780-452-3542 | arcos@arcoselectrical.com www.arcoselectrical.com

Fillmore Construction’s projects include The Shore, the Maskêkosak Kiskinomâtowikamik K-12 Enoch Cree Nation School and Lakeland College Energy Centre in Lloydminster, AB.

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years • 2

Enoch School

Lakeland College

“Our company morale is strongly based on community involvement,” confirms Chris. “Every year Fillmore Construction strives to support and acknowledge charities and associations surrounding affected individuals in our community and abroad.

This adds up to millions in contributions back to the community over the 30-year history of our company.

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in business for over 45 years

Sherwood Park Toyota

“The Shore was our largest and most magnificent multifamily project when we completed it in 2019,” says Chris. “This is a multifunction, mixed-use building with a concrete podium and parkade with a wood frame residential structure on top. Lakeland College Energy Centre, a power engineering training facility, is a marvel of beauty and function. The multicolour glazing allows lots of light to shine over the incredibly detailed and organized lab. The lab includes several boilers and other power engineering equipment set up in an orientation to allow for the best power engineering education possible.”

Excelling in each project is important to Fillmore Construction, and so is being a good community partner. Each year Fillmore gives back to the communities it serves in several different ways.

- Commercial & Residential Formwork - Concrete Pumping-Placing-Finishing - Innovative Prefab Wall Panel Systems & Floor Cassettes - Civil & Industrial Work www.giustigroup.com

Congratulations, Fillmore Construction!

We wish you continued success.

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years • 3

AltaPro Congratulates Fillmore on 30 Years!

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Congratulations to Fillmore Construction on 30 years of Business Excellence!

The direct dollar impact back into our community through charitable donations amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

9515 58 ave, Edmonton, AB T6E 0B8 780-907-7010 | ryan@capitalcitycontracting.ca www.capitalcitycontracting.ca

CONGRATULATIONS Fillmore Construction Management Inc. on 30 years! www.ionprojects.ca

CONGRATULATIONS Fillmore Construction on 30 years!

www.protostatix.com 500, 10410 -102 Avenue | Edmonton, Alberta | Ph: (780) 423-5855

“Fillmore Construction adopted the annual MS Society Bike Tour in 2006 as our primary charitable activity. The Happy Fillmores team is the number one fundraiser for the MS Bike, Walk or Run tours in Canada. To date we have raised over $1.4 million to fight against Multiple Sclerosis. We are inspired by our friends and coworkers who struggle through this debilitating disease. The Happy Fillmores regularly host a team of over 100 participants and 30 volunteers. In 2019 the Happy Fillmores raised an incredible $224,000. In addition to our participation and financial contribution, we have an outsized volunteer hours contribution, we assist in the development of the yearly ride and sponsor the Riders Village in Camrose.”

Chris continues, “Brent graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1976. His parents had very little to their name and he made it through university on his intellect, summer jobs and scholarships. This is why we offer the Fillmore Family Scholarship, an annual $5,000 scholarship to a UNB civil engineering student who has good grades and needs financial support. We also sponsor four $3,000 scholarships at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) annually. The education NAIT provides to our carpenters, supervisors and project managers is critical to us and our industry.

That’s not all. Chris points out, “We regularly contribute financial donations based on what is

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years • 4

important to our employees, their families and our clients. Some of these include local sports teams, Habitat for Humanity, Bicycles for Humanity (B4H), the local food banks of communities we are working in and the World Longest Hockey game.”

Fillmore Construction has much to celebrate with 30 successful years behind the company and many more decades of growth ahead. Chris thanks the team for their unwavering dedication in the past, present, and future. He says, “Our people are key to our success.

The dedication to excellence our employees bring each and every day is the ultimate reason Fillmore Construction has been so successful and is the key to our success moving forward.”

He concludes, “As Fillmore Construction continues to grow, we will operate with the same resolve and with a commitment to continue serving our clients with the same approach that enabled us to get where we are today. We have an unwavering commitment to our client’s ventures and the success of their businesses. We don’t want to build just one project for our clients, we continually strive to become each of our clients’ contractor of choice through dedication and strong performance.”

9114 34a Ave NW Edmonton AB T6E 5P4 P: 780.430.0005 • F: 780.437.3998 fillmoreconstruction.com

Congratulations On 30 Years

Fillmore Construction Your complete structural specialist

Congratulations on 30 Years Fillmore Construction!

We are proud to be a part of your success.

Head Office – Balzac, Alberta Address: 262029 Balzac Blvd., Balzac, AB T4B 2T3 Phone: (403) 912-3232 or (403) 226-8617 Fax: (403) 226-8776 Web Site: www.zytechtruss.com

Fillmore Construction Celebrates 30 Years • 5

Book Your Next Great Event Where History Takes Flight!

Located inside a historic WWII airplane hangar, we have over 16,000 square feet of rental facilities to deliver one-of-a-kind experiences for corporate and community events!

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Small town dealership located 30 minutes south of Edmonton in Wetaskawin where cars and trucks really do cost less!

Experience outstanding customer service when buying, selling or servicing your vehicle.

Call Brentridge Ford at (780) 352-6048 or visit

www.brentridge.com

SERVPRO® Edmonton Southside

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