Business in Edmonton - May 2021

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MEMORY EXPRESS’ DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AT THE HEART OF THEIR SUCCESS

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 9 | Number 5

REGULAR COLUMNS

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What Do Entrepreneurs Do?

By John Liston

Time for An Alberta-Made Carbon Tax

By David MacLean

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

CONTENTS COVER FEATURE

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he Local Business with a T National Impact Memory Express’ dedication to customer service is at the heart of their success

By Nerissa McNaughton

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: THE TEAM AT MEMORY EXPRESS IS HERE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR COMPUTING, GAMING, IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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HSBC PLACE Edmonton, AB

BUILDING REVITALIZATION PCL’s Revitalization team offers a comprehensive suite of expert services to restore, renew and refresh your assets. Whether your building is a prominent feature in the city’s skyline, or a smaller building with heritage designation — we have the expertise to help you complete the transformation.

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 9 | Number 5

48

CONTENTS COMPANY PROFILES

47 55 59

29 THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

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O rion Plastics

Celebrates 20 Years

N IRIX

Celebrates 20 Years

T ri-Tec Project Management Inc. Celebrates 15+ Years

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An Optimistic Outlook

Despite pandemic restrictions, Edmonton’s construction industry marches forward to energize communities, grow sustainability and increase inclusivity

By Natalie Noble

5G: The Telecommunication Technology of the Future

By Will Porter

40

oes Business Interruption D Insurance Cover A Pandemic Shutdown?

When it comes to COVID-19 and coverage, businesses need to be clear about what their policies entail

By Nerissa McNaughton

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

FLY: WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT, WITH EASE. Now is the time to become an aircraft partner in a six-seat/four passenger turboprop based in Edmonton.

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Business in Edmonton Inc.

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Nerissa McNaughton

COPY EDITOR Nikki Mullett

ART DIRECTOR

Jessi Evetts jessi@businessinedmonton.com

ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Natasha Walz natasha@businessinedmonton.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS David MacLean John Liston

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Nerissa McNaughton Natalie Noble Will Porter

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WHAT DO ENTREPRENEURS DO? // JOHN LISTON

What Do Entrepreneurs Do?

BY JOHN LISTON, PRESIDENT, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

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or a great look at how entrepreneurship works in Edmonton, Alberta, we can look to Orion Plastics.

In the movie The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman is pulled aside by an entrepreneur, Mr. Maguire, who says, “I just want to say one word to you. Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?”

The plastics industry has grown rapidly. Today, plastic resins and products represent $35 billion in sales in Canada and those plastic resins ($10 billion) and plastic products ($25 billion) manufactured in Canada accounts for over 5 per cent of the sales in the nation’s manufacturing sector, while employing 93,000 people across 1,932 establishments.

In Canada, plastic products are in demand in most sectors of the economy, with approximately 4,667 kilotonnes (kt) of plastics introduced to the domestic market on an annual basis (more than 125 kilograms per capita). Three categories (packaging, construction and automotive) show a particular appetite for plastic, accounting for 69 per cent of plastic end use. As well, 73 per cent of all critical medical devices are made from plastic. (Data Source: 2019 Report Environment and Climate Change Canada.)

One challenge we face is that plastic materials are not fully recovered yet and that represents a lost opportunity of $7.8 billion for Canada in recycling this resource (based on the value of virgin resin material). The world needs plastic, and we need to develop better ways to recycle this incredible resource.

Enter the entrepreneur. When free enterprise is allowed to work, the concept of both meeting a marketplace need, being able to do it cost effectively, and understanding your social responsibility all come together. We need businesses to produce innovative products by using environmentally friendly processes and make a profit while doing it.

When we look at St. Albert-based company Orion Plastics, a proud member of the Alberta Enterprise Group, what you will see is a company that is succeeding in all of these measures. As a result, they were able to pivot in the early pandemic onset and re-invest profits to create the material for PPE masks in Alberta. They went from concept to knowledge development to prototype and full production in two months. Add to that the solar roof covering their facility, and the solar installation on their back lot, and what you will find is a private company that provides power backup to the community, solves a world problem in PPE manufacturing, and does it all while recycling the majority of their own waste materials.

This is why we’re thrilled to see Orion Plastics and their leadership team celebrated in this month’s edition for their 20th anniversary. Stephen Moore, Greg Makar and Nuno Branco have stepped up to the challenges to become a key player in the plastics industry.

It is vital as a society that we get away from the concept of business or environment. As demonstrated by Orion Plastics, it is business and environment. This is what entrepreneurs do.

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

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TIME FOR AN ALBERTA-MADE CARBON TAX // DAVID MACLEAN

Time for An AlbertaMade Carbon Tax

BY DAVID MACLEAN

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n a 6-3 decision rendered in March, the Supreme Court ruled the federal Liberal government’s carbon pricing scheme is constitutional. This means the federal government is free to push ahead to ensure every province and territory has a price on carbon to curb emissions.

The provinces opposed to the carbon tax – Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario – now have big decisions to make. Do they allow the federal backstop to remain in place, or create their own system?

After the decision came down, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe immediately announced his intention to create a Saskatchewan plan. “We plan to return as much money from this ineffective tax to Saskatchewan people as quickly as we can,” said Moe in response to the decision.

Premier Kenney should do likewise for Alberta, and he probably will. Given the Alberta government’s distrust for all things Ottawa, having the federal government spending Alberta tax dollars just won’t stand.

So, what might a made-in-Alberta carbon tax look like?

Premier Moe is already signaling his intention to model the Saskatchewan plan, which could be implemented in 2022, after New Brunswick’s. One unique feature of New Brunswick’s plan is that, while it complies with federal requirement for a 6.6 cent per litre tax on gasoline at the pumps, it also slashed the provincial gas tax by 4 cents. That means New Brunswickers are only dinged for two cents per litre.

Shielding consumers from significant tax hikes at the pumps is nice, but the competitiveness of the provincial economy is what really matters. A vast majority of Alberta manufacturers are trade exposed. They can’t simply pass a carbon tax onto their customers because their competitors

don’t pay the tax in the first place. Many Alberta companies are in direct competition with Asian and U.S.-based firms who don’t pay a nickel in carbon taxes.

There’s an Alberta manufacturer (that I won’t name) that currently employs 300 people. Their competition comes from all over the world – including firms in Asia and the United States. Their carbon tax bill this year will be a whopping $900,000. By 2024, as the feds ratchet up the carbon tax, they expect their bill to increase to more than $1.9 million per year.

That’s serious cash, straight off their bottom line, that could be better spent on new equipment and technology.

Here’s the kicker – this company also has operations in Ontario. While those other operations will be paying a carbon tax, Ontario power is often hydroelectric or nuclear.

That means the carbon tax paid in Ontario is a fraction of what the Alberta plant pays.

Alberta is desperate to attract capital investment. Not only are we competing with countries around the world that don’t tax carbon, but we’re also competing with jurisdictions in our own back yard with less carbon-intensive power generation profiles.

The Alberta government should develop a carbon pricing scheme that is tailored to the unique nature of our local economy and minimizes the impact on competitiveness.

Any carbon tax dollars collected from Alberta manufacturers should be returned to them in the form of grants, tax credits or other incentives to help them compete globally and improve their environmental performance.

The Alberta government lost in court, now we need to work together on a plan that protects the Alberta economy.

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11

TRIMAC: OUR PEOPLE DRIVE OUR SUCCESS NORTH AMERICA’S BULK TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS COMPANY STEERS CONFIDENTLY INTO THE FUTURE

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rimac provides bulk transportation and logistics across North America and as Scott Calver, CFO and VP Finance, explains, their business model is all about putting people first.

“At Trimac, we change lives,” says Calver. Internally, we build futures for our employees—who we believe are the backbone of everything that we do. Externally, we move the necessities and everyday products that we all take for granted, like fuel for a cross-country family vacation, paint for the kids’ bedroom, cleaners for sanitation, and cement for the driveway of your first home.”

The reach of Trimac is vast, which enables its seamless logistics across North America. Calver explains, “Trimac’s Canadian and United States operations are complemented by strategic partners in Mexico. With 3,400 employees including independent contractors and more than 140 branches located throughout North America, we are uniquely qualified to respond to most service demands in North America’s key bulk commodity shipping locations and traffic lanes.”

He continues, “We stand out because of our people. We are a transportation company specializing in bulk commodities.

Our drivers must also be expert product handlers as they work hands-on at complex facilities for loading and unloading. Our drivers handle many commodities like petrochemicals, cement, pressurized gasses, crude oil, sulphur, food products, etc. It’s not just learning how to drive a truck—there is comprehensive training involved. Our drivers and mechanics are the best out there. We were recognized as the safest tank trucking company in North America last year. We don’t just say we operate safely.

We prove it. And that is not possible unless you have the best drivers and mechanics on the road providing the best service to our customers.”

In 2016, Trimac amalgamated its Canadian and American branches under one banner and privatized the Canadian operations. The next step was a complete technology refresh, changing every system from the back office to the computers in the cab of the trucks to ensure greater efficiency and cohesion across the brand. This foresight enabled a seamless transition

to remote work for Trimac’s administration, and processes already in place for transporting goods during COVID-19.

Trimac was able to adapt and remain operational with no time lost, and no orders missed.

ABOVE: STAFF AT A TRIMAC NATIONAL TANK SERVICE LOCATION. BELOW: ANDRE WHEELER, TRIMAC DRIVER COACH.

Speaking to innovation, Calver says, “We are often one of the first trucking companies in the region to adopt new technology or practices. Currently, we are very excited to be working with the Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) project. This project will be piloting hydrogen cell trucks on the Calgary to Edmonton corridor in late 2021.

They choose companies like Trimac because we can support R&D and also have an outstanding safety culture. We haul the maximum weights in the coldest climates, often in conditions like the Rocky Mountains, so AZETEC is able to test the trucks in extreme conditions.”

Trimac partnered with ATB, and the financial institution has been a large part of the company’s growth strategy.

“When we privatized our Canadian operations in 2016, ATB had flexible solutions that were best suited for us to maintain a lower cost of capital. ATB’s commercial lenders are close to Trimac. They spend a lot of time with our leadership and innovation team. They know our strategy, and they are supporting us in our execution. The amount of knowledge they have from spending time with our team is vast; they are comfortable in supporting us for long-term strategic planning, and that includes growth by acquisitions.”

Calver concludes, “It is important to treat your banker like a shareholder. We explained the vision of the company and the strategic plan; they understand in advance what we are trying to do. They understand the business, industry,

challenges, technology – you must have a strong relationship.

If your lender has total awareness of what you are trying to accomplish, when it is time, they already understand the initiatives and nothing comes as a surprise.”

As a vital part of the Alberta economy, Trimac continues to move the future with their drivers, mechanics and customers, providing essential bulk trucking services across North America. Learn more at www.trimac.com.

ATB is pleased to present a 2021 profile series on the businesses and people who are facing challenges head-on to build a strong Alberta.

ABOVE: TRIMAC OPERATES A FLEET OF APPROXIMATELY 2,200 TRACTORS AND 5,000 TRAILERS FROM A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 140 TERMINALS THROUGHOUT CANADA AND THE U.S., HAULING LIQUID AND DRY BULK PRODUCTS. INSET: SCOTT CALVER, CFO AND VP FINANCE.

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS TO YOU BY CANADIAN

Jodi Scarlett, President ProStar Cleaning & Restoration

J

odi Scarlett is the founder and president of ProStar Cleaning & Restoration. She launched the business in 2002 as a residential maid service. Today that small cleaning company has grown into a large restoration and construction company tackling multi-million dollar projects.

“In the early days of cleaning I thought, ‘we should clean bigger things.’ Then I thought, ‘we can put things back together too!’ says Scarlett. “We add new product lines all the time from asbestos remediation to fentanyl cleanup to opening a Canmore office and the acquisition of another restoration firm.”

She continues, “We have integrated many parts of the business to an in-house format. For example, we employ a dozen full time carpenters on staff, and we started our own flooring and renovation company, Vibe Interiors. By managing all components of a project, we are able to achieve the best and most timely solution possible. We’re large enough to deal with disaster areas up to 1,000,000 square feet, but not so large that we’ve lost sight of what matters most: the people. My staff and I donate our time and expertise to support restoration education. As a forwardlooking industry leader, we enjoy helping to inspire the next generation of restoration specialists.”

Scarlett discusses her approach to innovating in her business.

“It really is an armchair approach. I look at the industry.

I think about the trends. I see things going on like market consolidation, rising deductibles and extreme weather. Then I think about those trends and how they impact us functionally and operationally. We are a small business compared to our competitors, and we are competing against national corporations. After I do a deep dive and understand what is coming down the pipe, I think about what my competitors are doing about the changing trends. Then I think about how ProStar can personalize those services.”

To expand on resources and capabilities without losing sight of personalized, customer-centric service, Scarlett innovated and evolved ProStar by partnering with a brand that would allow them to tender nationally and take on more insurance work. However, she did it in a very specialized way. The franchise group allowed her to retain ProStar’s local identity, name, system, and culture. Everything Scarlett had built was retained and elevated to a new level.

“By innovating our operations without compromising our identity, ProStar introduced the idea of being remote, but local,” Scarlett explains. “We built a new division called Remote Large Loss and under that branch have completed major projects from B.C. to Ontario, and in northern communities. We have rebuilt major structures worth several million dollars in remote environments. ProStar’s remote but local initiative operates by supporting local trades and vendors in our project areas. It’s about authentically participating in those communities by sourcing labour and materials from the community.”

She concludes, “Innovation to me is taking inspiration from what other, bigger companies are doing, but turning it around so it reflects the authentic and local sprit and culture of our company.”

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

Ardyce Kouri, Partner Leaders International Executive Search

F

or more than 30 years, Leaders International Executive Search has transformed organizations and the leaders who work for them. Ardyce Kouri, Partner, has more than 15 years’ experience with this international search firm.

“Leadership creates opportunity and shapes organizations and their people. This has a profound impact on the communities in which we live,” says Kouri. “To be able to be a part of an organization’s leadership journey is rewarding. I like providing solutions to organizational leadership challenges and assisting leaders; in this business, I get to do both everyday.”

She discusses how her approach to innovation has helped Leaders International excel.

“Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) have become common phrases with respect to building teams and corporate culture.

This is something on which our firm prides itself. We continue to innovate around this space and for us, the key driver has always been building our own team. We take pride in creating an internal culture that fosters an environment of acceptance, while working with clients to ensure all aspects of EDI are embedded throughout the search process. This includes supporting gender-neutral language, diversity in the images that we use, and ensuring accessibility compliance.

We know the more diverse our team is, the better we are to provide inclusive and diverse perspectives to challenge our clients in their thinking on how they build their own teams.”

Leaders International’s innovation and creativity came to the forefront during the pandemic. Kouri explains, “When COVID-19 hit us, one thing that we knew we had done well was leverage our technology platforms to continue working seamlessly in a virtual world. More than 80 per cent of our work was able to be completed virtually; our team was able to continue supporting our clients and candidates without missing a beat.

“This is due to leveraging various proprietary technology platforms that have enabled us to share information seamlessly and enhance our research and marketing intelligence capabilities. The one thing we do know that is not usually done remotely is the connection of our candidates to our clients. We have innovated around virtual interviews, virtual self-assessments, and unique connections to ensure everyone feels confident when making a leadership decision (both for the candidate and the client). We have also been exceptionally creative in trying to find opportunities to connect in a physically distant way while still respecting public health guidelines.”

She continues, “One of my favourite recent work moments was hosting a set of interviews with a board of directors outside in a park, everyone sitting in camping chairs with bottles of water and blankets! No one ever thought we could meet in this way before, but it was a successful outcome and a positive experience. I think these creative solutions have only made our processes stronger, resulting in a better search process for all involved.”

Kouri concludes, “I think the word innovation can sometimes feel daunting. For me, it is the compilation of small micro innovations that lead to significant cultural and business process shifts in an organization, leading to new ways of thinking of doing things.”

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Alberta Blue Cross® Does the Heavy Lifting for Group Businesses With COVID-19, many business’ daily operations have changed. What remains the same, however, is the care and priority of your employees. Alberta Blue Cross understands this and has you covered with digital services that provide employers with a stress-free experience when managing your employee benefit plan. Regardless of how your employees work—remotely from home, with different hours and varying degrees of interaction—or whatever your new reality is, the way your employees enrol for benefits should be different too.

Alberta Blue Cross’ latest online offering, the Member Self Enrolment platform, is just one of the brand’s digital innovations. With Member Self Enrolment, the intake process is completely paperless and contactless. It is faster than the traditional application and the completed enrolment is received instantly, giving the employee access to benefits sooner.

Automated elements also ensure a guided, error-free process.

The platform provides a safe way to onboard employees for benefits while simultaneously reducing inefficiencies.

Additional online tools further benefit both plan administrators and employees with a range of remote, self-serve options. Administrators can keep track of each employee’s enrolment; see a statement of account; add or remove employees right away and receive confirmation in real time; sign up for preauthorized payments for monthly fees; and view contracts, booklets and employee ID cards.

Employees can use the member website or the Alberta Blue Cross app to submit their health, dental, vision, drug or spending account claims; view the status of their claims; download or print ID cards; find the direct bill provider closest to them; check how much coverage they and their

dependents have; take advantage of Balance®(an online wellness program); sign up for direct deposit to have their claims paid in as little as a day and use the drug lookup to find out if a prescription is covered.

The Alberta Blue Cross Flex tool provides even more digital innovation as it provides a simple and personalized digital experience for employees. With a mobile-friendly platform and simple navigation, employees can find the information they’re looking for and select or view their benefits at any time, on any device. Training is provided for plan administrators and onboard support is always at hand.

As Alberta Blue Cross increases its digital services, it remains a people-first company. Employers and employees can always contact Alberta Blue Cross on the phone, read their blog for tips and the latest in benefit news and follow them on social media. Visit www.ab.bluecross.ca to learn more.

SOURCE: ALBERTA BLUE CROSS

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

CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENT Mark Komlenic, President and CEO of Alberta Blue Cross, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine McGinley as Chair of the Board of Directors of ABC Benefits Corporation.

Chris has served on the Board of ABC Benefits Corporation since 2013. She has 25 years of leadership experience, primarily in the broadcasting sector, and has been an independent corporate director since 2010.

Chris is passionate about health care and also serves on the board of Blue Cross Life, Mullen Group Ltd. and chairs the advisory committee for PrescribeIT®, a national e-prescribing initiative led by Canada Health Infoway. In the past, Chris has served on the board of Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Northview Apartment REIT, DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. and Canada Health Infoway.

As Alberta’s leading benefits provider, Alberta Blue Cross serves more than 1.8 million Albertans through employer group benefit plans, individual health plans, government-sponsored programs and wellness initiatives.

Alberta Blue Cross is also truly passionate about serving our communities. Through our employeeled Hearts of Blue charity, Alberta Blue Cross team members support dozens of grassroots nonprofit organizations across the province with their time and resources. And through a multitude of involvements and initiatives including our COVID Community Roots, Healthy Communities Grant and scholarship programs, Alberta Blue Cross provides support to positively impact the lives and wellness of the communities we serve.

ab.bluecross.ca

®* The Blue Cross symbol and name are registered marks of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, an association of independent Blue Cross plans.

Licensed to ABC Benefits Corporation for use in operating the Alberta Blue Cross Plan. ®† Blue Shield is a registered trade-mark of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ABC 81514 2021/03

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HPC Housing Investment Corporation Completes Inaugural Social Bond Financing for New Construction Lending Program

HPC Housing Investment Corporation (HIC) is pleased to announce that it closed a C$40 million social bond offering as part of its new Construction Lending Program, that will provide long-term financing for an affordable housing project in Edmonton, Alberta.

First to benefit from this new lending program is Capital Region Housing’s (CRH) Londonderry mixed use redevelopment project. Located in central Edmonton, the redevelopment will replace the existing 80 units with new apartments and a townhome. The project features: 192 affordable units with the remainder set at market, 24 accessible (barrier-free) units and a 13 per cent increase in energy efficiency, as compared to the previous structure.

CRH’s Londonderry mixed use redevelopment is Edmonton’s first affordable housing renewal project. The project will feature a mixed market rental scheme providing social, affordable and market rents, with approximately 80 per cent

of the project’s homes provided as affordable housing. Once complete, Londonderry will be home to 240 households and feature a private courtyard, four tenant support community spaces and two commercial retail spaces. Construction on the redevelopment began in November of 2018 and is expected to be complete by March 2022. The City of Edmonton owns the land and has entered into a long-term lease of 60 years with the CRH and Alberta Social Housing Corporation (ASHC as co-owner). The prime consultant is GEC Architecture and the construction manager is Stuart Olson.

“We are invested in the success of our tenants and combined with $51.1 million in Government of Alberta funding, this innovative investment strategy partnership with the Housing Investment Corporation will help Edmontonians get better access to safe and affordable housing. The demand for affordable housing, whether it be social, mixed-income or near market, continues to increase – we have a priority list of 9,000 families looking for their ABOVE: CAPITAL REGION HOUSING’S (CRH) LONDONDERRY MIXED USE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. SOURCE: PROVIDED BY CNW CISION CARE OF CAPITAL REGION HOUSING

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first affordable home. As an organization, Capital Region Housing always looks for innovative ways to build, develop and provide housing for our customers,” says Greg Dewling, CEO, Capital Region Housing.

The financing for this project was secured by HIC through the private placement of Senior Unsecured Amortizing Social Notes, Series C with The Canada Life Assurance Company (Canada Life) being the sole investor. Financing consists of a blended construction and take-out loan with a term of 40.25 years. It features an interest-only period during construction (27 months) and a seamless transition to principal and interest payments for the balance of the term (assuming a 48 year amortization period) and a bullet payment due in June 2061.

The new Construction Lending Program adheres to HIC’s Social Financing Framework, which complies with the Social Bond Principles developed by the International Capital Markets Association in June 2020. HIC anticipates the new lending program will become a large component in the institution’s portfolio as affordable housing providers across Canada seek to develop new affordable housing.

“Despite the challenges our sector has faced with the global pandemic, we have continued to see providers working hard to advance new projects that support affordable housing in their communities. That’s why we are pleased to be making this innovative financing solution available. Our aim is to further remove barriers for Canadian social and affordable housing providers by allowing them to focus on getting new housing built, while controlling costs during construction and through the life of the project,” concludes Shayne Ramsay, Chair of HIC.

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

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MERIT CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Launches Mental Health Initiative

M

erit Contractors Association (Merit) is a not-for-profit organization representing industry partners and open shop construction workers across Alberta. As a progressive association, Merit had noticed, even before the pandemic, that there was a stigma in male dominated industries like construction that created barriers for individuals to access the mental health support they needed. Merit is determined to change this for its members and their employees.

“It’s critical for company leaders in Alberta to not only recognize how mental health impacts their workplace, they also need to know what they can do to help their employees cope with the increased stresses we are currently living with,” said Malcolm D. Kirkland, president and chief executive officer of Merit. “This program is one of the tools we are adding to our mental health toolbox. We have supported our members and their families for more than 34 years and we will continue to do so, providing the resources they need, when they need them.”

Working collaboratively with LifeWorks, Merit has launched an innovative initiative that includes: the Merit Mental Health First Aid Kit, the LifeWorks Wellness app, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Workplace Mental Health Leadership™ certificate program and a Building Blocks for Positive Mental Health course.

The Workplace Mental Health Leadership certificate program is comprised of modules designed to facilitate increased: • Awareness of the importance of a mentally healthy workplace • Accountability for a safe and healthy workplace • Recognition of the factors that influence a mentally healthy workplace

• Capacity to respond to potential health issues improving the likelihood of a positive outcome The course also discusses the impact of legal, ethical and business issues around mental health. To date, 75 members have engaged in this program.

The LifeWorks Wellness app is a solution that supports physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing along with motivation and inspirations for a happier, healthier life. Confidential access to EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is included, and the self-serve articles and interactive elements on the platform enable each user to move at their own pace.

The Merit Mental Health Kit comes in two versions: one for work, one for home. The kit includes a series of cards that can be accessed anytime help is needed. There is a signs and symptoms card, cards on how to approach others when worried about their mental health, cards with mental health exercises, a card with instructions on how to sign up for daily text affirmations, a reference card with contact information for support services, and two durable cards where personal health information can be recorded and stored. The kit is compact; easy to slip into a glove box, pocket, or purse.

The EAP is available to members and their immediate family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be used as a distress line as well as a place for short-term, non-crisis support. Sessions are conducted mainly by phone, email and video while COVID restrictions are in place. The EAP is bilingual (French and English), confidential and accessible (service for individuals with hearing impairments are available). Sessions are conducted by professionals that have a Master’s degree in social work, counselling or psychology.

In addition to relying on the EAP for mental health support, counsellors can help members address

Merit continues to evolve to address industry concerns not just through safe workplaces, government advocacy, training, and discounts on insurance/benefits, but to also be a strong voice for construction employers and employees when it comes to mental health awareness and solutions. a variety of other issues including conflict in couple and family relationships, burnout, workplace toxicity, etc. As the EAP is accessed through Merit’s benefit programs, there are no costs for members to use this service.

The Building Blocks for Positive Mental Health empowers employees to take care of their own mental health so they can recognize and offer bridge support to their co-workers. The course is gamified through six short interactive modules.

Quizzes and games allow the user to track their progress, but in the interest of privacy, scores are not retained in the program. The modules, which can be taken in any order, include: what is good for mental health, myths and realities of mental disorders, reducing stigma, exploring emotional intelligence, resilience and stress management, and assisting others and asking for help.

“As a leading association focused on the needs of our members, their employees and their families, it is imperative that we are instrumental in changing the narrative about mental health stigma in our industry,” stated Mr. Kirkland.

An Alberta Health Service Report, Addiction and Mental Health in Alberta’s Construction Industry, noted concerns ranging from phobias to feelings of hopelessness. Antisocial personality disorder (APD) rated higher (9.7 per cent) among construction workers than the average (5.1 per cent) across all industries. Those suffering from APD more frequently engage in self-destructive behaviours such as drinking and drug use to cope. The report was compiled before the pandemic; in addition to the issues already present, mental health disorders are on the rise

due to COVID-19 lockdowns and stress. Forty-two per cent of Albertans surveyed in a Canadian Mental Health Association study reported isolation to be the top driver of their mental health concerns due to the pandemic.

Merit continues to evolve to address industry concerns not just through safe workplaces, government advocacy, training, and discounts on insurance/benefits, but to also be a strong voice for construction employers, employees and their families when it comes to mental health awareness and solutions.

“If we do not focus on addressing mental health issues, learning how to recognize the signs and providing access to support, the Alberta workforce would be compromised by what is often seen as an invisible enemy,” said Mr. Kirkland. “When organizations like Merit take a strong, bold and visible stance in empowering employers and employees in support of their mental health, the resulting effect is positive across the province.“ Visit www.meritalberta.com for more information about the association.

103, 13025 St. Albert Trail Edmonton AB T5L 4H5 Phone: 780 455 5999 | Toll Free: 1 888 816 9991 Fax: 780 455 2109 | Email: membership@meritalberta.com

www.meritalberta.com

THE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A NATIONAL IMPACT // COVER

THE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A NATIONAL IMPACT MEMORY EXPRESS’ DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AT THE HEART OF THEIR SUCCESS

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

M

emory Express sells computers, electronics, gaming systems, home theatre equipment, and provides corporate IT services.

It was 1996. The Ngo brothers, Minh, Yet, Hien and Ut, were looking for work without success. According to the brothers, “We decided to hire ourselves since no one wanted to hire us. We didn’t have a clear definition at this point, but knew we wanted to treat people right, and become the kind of business we ourselves would want to do business with.”

What the Ngos did know was what consumers wanted.

“In 1996, most computer resellers were big box stores focused on selling desktops and laptops, but not computer memory components. Customers wanted to upgrade their systems.

Memory Express was started to provide this service, delivering memory cards door to door – hence the name.”

The combination of filling a gap in the marketplace along with a focus on outstanding customer service saw Memory Express grow rapidly. Soon three other family members joined the company, along with a handful of volunteers to help keep up with the growing demand.

“Over the years, customers asked if we could bring in other components, and the business grew into a full line component reseller, then into a system integrator building custom computers for homes, businesses and gaming

enthusiasts. We now have an in-store full service department to complement the products we sell and to be able to provide a greater level of service for our customers as an authorized service depot for the many brands we carry,” says Minh.

While there is a focus on household computer goods, Memory Express has grown to help corporations with their hardware and IT needs. Yet, adds, “Customers find in each location dedicated and knowledgeable teams who assist with more enterprise level business needs; solutions from servers to workstations, networking, licensing and volume pricing on large purchases.”

It only took a few short years to go from their first location to their second in Calgary and today, Memory Express has 14 locations across five provinces with more openings planned. It remains a family-run business and has grown from four staff on day one to 400 people across Canada 25 years later.

“I think many first time customers assume we’re a big box chain or an American company,” they say, “but the truth is we’re 100 per cent family owned and operated from Alberta.

“Edmonton is a large centre by Alberta standards, but still small enough that it is possible to feel that regular, local customers are a really big part of our business. The Edmonton business community is as welcoming today as the first day we opened our doors. Calgary is our home base, RIGHT: THE TEAM AT MEMORY EXPRESS IS HERE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR COMPUTING, GAMING, IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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THE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A NATIONAL IMPACT // COVER

so we definitely have a sentimental soft spot here. Like Edmonton, the Alberta spirit is alive and strong here.

It’s great to see many of our business customers over the years are still growing and thriving in spite of the pandemic and economic slowdown.”

Despite the rapid growth, the brothers have never lost sight of their original goal: customer service and providing the products people want and need.

“Memory Express is a people company,” confirm the brothers. “Our hard-working, dedicated and knowledgeable staff, our loyal customers and our supportive vendors are the cornerstones of our success.”

According to the team, “One incident that helped shape our values was a young couple who purchased a full system from us. In addition to the computer, it included a monitor, printer, and accessories. As we still do today, we helped to carry the products to their car. Several days later, they returned. After reviewing their invoice, they discovered we forgot to charge for the monitor.

They returned to pay for it. This was a high value item, and in the early days would have been several days of our profit. We were so touched by their action, honesty and integrity. This gesture had a big impact on us. We appreciated so much in how we were treated; we want to treat others the same way.”

The owners and management team of Memory Express’ refusal to gloss over growing pains also contributes to the company’s success.

They explain, “I wish I could say that we have been successful in fulfilling our brand promise all the time, but we have not. As much as our hardworking and dedicated staff work to uphold this commitment, we still make mistakes and acknowledge these fumbles and stumbles have caused much frustrations for our customers. We apologize to our customers for times we have not been able to deliver the level of customer service they come to expect.

“I can think of two recent examples, one related to our IT infrastructure upgrade, and the other in adjustments to the pandemic. The spike in sales and shortage of supplies and staff due to the pandemic caused long lineups both

inside and outside our stores in the middle of winter, slow processing times to complete transactions, errors on our website, and slow responses to inquiries. Even during these difficult times, our Memory Express staff worked very hard to uphold our commitment to customer service.”

The years of great service kept customers coming back, despite the service interruptions.

“We are grateful for all the loyal customers who stuck with us during this time, our great staff in every department working to improve service, and business partners helping us to overcome supply chain disruptions,” says Minh. “The true test of a relationship is not when things go right, but what happens when things go wrong. We are blessed to have ABOVE: THE TEAM AT MEMORY EXPRESS IS HERE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR COMPUTING, GAMING, IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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THE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A NATIONAL IMPACT // COVER

supportive customers, and motivated staff who worked hard to get things right, and to fix things when they go wrong. I think the people we work with separate us from the competition.”

Yet notes, “Being a small business ourselves, and a large percentage of our customers are small businesses directly or indirectly, our hopes go to the companies affected by the pandemic, and the people behind them who invested so much of their lives. It forced us to be more creative in how we provide customer service, and certainly shed light on ways where we could simplify interactions for our customers. Global supply chains have seen remarkable disruptions and will remain fragile for some time. Our frontline staff and store managers made incredible efforts to adjust and took on added responsibilities. We have done our best to shield our customers from the biggest bumps and so far, we’ve been successful in large part. However, we recognized quickly that it’s not enough to just react to the present situation; it’s finding the ability to adapt, and find paths that don’t just maintain stability now, but ultimately seed growth in the post-pandemic landscape.”

During the pandemic, demand has increased for laptops, webcams, home office peripherals, high performance gaming components, processors, video cards, and motherboards. Even though these items were at the time in short supply due to the pressing need, Memory Express found ways to help their customers: low flat rate shipping on orders under 20 pounds.

They explain, “Unlike the U.S., Canada has a low population with vast geography, which translates into high shipping costs, but we want our customers across Canada to be able to shop with us from areas we currently don’t have physical store locations. We wanted to be helpful while lowering barriers to access for our goods.”

Computer technology changes rapidly. In 1996 computers were mainly used at work and school. Today, computers are a major part of our lives. Our doorbells can coordinate with our smartphones, our oven ranges can be WiFi enabled for remote temperature adjustments and it’s become common for children in grade school to have laptops. Memory Express stays on top of the trends to ensure they can continue to meet consumer demand.

“The lasting effects of the pandemic will impact the way people work, learn and communicate,” the brothers note about the trends. “And the home office will grow, especially as companies see those workspaces as both an extension of the traditional office space and a cost savings centre.

Increasing ecommerce sales will continue. Online sales have increased at a faster rate than brick and mortar sales; the pandemic has accelerated this pace.” He further predicts, “Esports is on a remarkable trajectory, and will dominate hardware sales for the foreseeable future. We’ve seen exponential growth in this market, and it will certainly have a large impact on our core business. Virtual reality and augmented reality are gaining popularity. Also, the rise of Bitcoin, although highly volatile, it is here to stay, gaining popularity and mainstream adoption.”

ABOVE: THE TEAM AT MEMORY EXPRESS IS HERE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR COMPUTING, GAMING, IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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THE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A NATIONAL IMPACT // COVER

“WE ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND ONLINE AND WITH OUR BRICK AND MORTAR STORES,” SAYS MINH. “IN ADDITION TO TWO STORES PLANNED IN REGINA AND MISSISSAUGA THIS YEAR, WE ARE ALSO INVESTING IN OUR IT AND ERP SYSTEMS TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH.” In 2020, Memory Express launched MEsports, a vehicle for which they fundraise for local children’s hospital charities.

To date, MEsports has raised more than $10,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, along with thousands more for the B.C. Children’s Hospital and Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundations. The company is also a longtime supporter of GlobalFest, the University of Calgary’s football program, D’Arcy’s ARC Animal Rescue Centre in Winnipeg, Place of Rescue (an orphanage in Cambodia for children afflicted with AIDS), and more.

and reliable way to purchase electronics with education rates instead of retail prices,” says Yet. The second is Bitcoinmarketplace.com, a multi-portal ecommerce platform for bitcoin and altcoin customers. The marketplace will feature: • A B2C ecommerce storefront with over one million IT products from top brands, available for purchase with Bitcoin and other popular altcoins.

• A turnkey ecommerce-as-a-service solution to help IT and crypto entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete and succeed. Unlike other solutions on the market, Bitcoinmarketplace.com will offer distinct advantages with both storefront and products, buying power, fulfillment logistics, low initial investment, low startup costs and low to zero inventory risks.

• A B2B ecommerce marketplace where other businesses and merchants can list and sell products to crypto customers and expand their customer base while expanding offerings beyond IT products on the marketplace.

It’s been a wild ride for the four brothers. In 25 years they went from job seekers to having an incredibly successful brand that spans several provinces. They’ve grown from a handful of products to an inventory of thousands that helps individuals and corporations with their everyday computing and gaming needs. But they aren’t ready to slow down yet.

The brothers express heartfelt thanks, saying, “Kudos and acknowledgements go to all our staff in every department, from cleaners to receivers, merchandisers and purchasers, front end sales and service, managers, web sales, back office IT and accounting support for their hard work and commitment to customer service. We say a special thanks to our supplier partners who came through in spite of pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Thank you to everyone who contributed to writing the Memory Express story and the success we have today.”

“We are continuing to expand online and with our brick and mortar stores,” says Minh. “In addition to two stores planned in Regina and Mississauga this year, we are also investing in our IT and ERP systems to accommodate growth.”

To the customers the team says, “We appreciate your trust, because we understand that trust doesn’t come freely, and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to earn it. We read all of your feedback, good or bad.”

Additionally, there are two keystone projects due to launch in Q2 2021. The first is ACADME, a nationwide education purchase program designed for students, school clubs, associations and faculty.

No matter how big the brand grows, Memory Express will always be a mom and pop shop at its heart.

“Our intent is to support the needs of students, parents and post-secondary schools by providing them with a convenient

They conclude, “Our core beliefs are as true today as they were on day one. We believe in service first and will go the extra mile to provide our customers with the most reliable care possible.”

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AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK // CONSTRUCTION

AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK DESPITE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, EDMONTON’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MARCHES FORWARD TO ENERGIZE COMMUNITIES, GROW SUSTAINABILITY AND INCREASE INCLUSIVITY

BY NATALIE NOBLE

E

dmonton’s construction industry is moving past a year of pandemic challenges and the outlook is strong.

Projects and initiatives are bettering the future for the industry whether it be revitalizing the city’s communities, environmental sustainability or more inclusivity. Builders pride themselves on working in an adaptive industry, coming through safely and relatively uninterrupted.

“We were successful and didn’t have any problems on the social distancing and safety side of things,” says Ken Toews, Strategic Group’s senior vice president of development. “I was afraid at first at what might happen, if construction might shut right down. Fortunately, everything worked out really well and the developing industry did a really good job.”

Jayman BUILT was also quick to adapt. “We were lucky going through all of this that construction was deemed an essential service,” says Charles Fay, vice president at Jayman BUILT, Edmonton. “This saved our industry. Through the whole

thing we’ve continued to keep our salesrooms, construction sites and offices open. Anything Alberta Health has put in place, we’ve been able to adopt it quickly.”

Showcasing their agility, both companies have worked on projects they’re proud to deliver to communities around the city.

Strategic Group has been making great strides to energize downtown cores in Calgary and Edmonton by converting vacant office spaces into rental residential buildings. When they designed Capital, it was with the lifestyles of their urban tenants in mind. Set right in Edmonton’s government district, the community offers history, art and the delights of pedestrian-friendly living.

Conversion projects align with Strategic Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, but the massive scope of these projects, 18,000 square feet at Capital, is challenging. However, they offer bonuses too,

ABOVE: JAYMAN BUILT’S SHOW HOME IN HAWKS RIDGE OPENED IN EARLY APRIL. THE COMMUNITY IS A LONGER-TERM PROJECT BUILDING OUT OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, OFFERING A BALANCE OF CITY CONVENIENCE WITH NATURE’S CALM. PHOTO SOURCE: ANTHEM UNITED

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AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK // CONSTRUCTION

such as air conditioning, larger than normal suites including oversized kitchens and islands, smart phone-operated entry systems and electric car charging stations.

When seeking out good conversion projects, location is the ultimate deal maker. Resident surveys indicate nearby grocery stores and transit as key amenities. “We’re across the street from the subway station and just a little over a block from the grocery store and shopping center,” says Toews. “It makes things easy for people with active lives [who might be] more spontaneous. They can be that way here.”

There are a number of educational institutions nearby, so Capital has many student tenants. The building’s amenities are designed with the needs of these busy people in mind.

“We built a sky lounge and deck here and rearranged the mechanical on the rooftop to allow for this,” says Toews. “It was an economical way to have this great feature that can typically be an expensive addition. We want our residents to have a lounge they can go to at all times even if the main lounge is booked.”

The company is also interested in the growing popularity of co-working today. “We think this is a great concept that’s going to continue to grow so we’ve already set up spaces in Capital for this,” says Toews. “We have a free cappuccino bar, lounge and party room for our tenants to go hang out and collaborate. We have a meeting room available for them to book out as well.”

While these amenities add some expense to the company, Toews believes they’re worth it. “It’s really important to build community. We know people like to work in coffee shops and this space brings them together,” he says, recalling a tenant he chatted with who met three new friends within her first six weeks of living there. “I really loved to hear this, and I like that attitude. It made me feel good about what we are doing.”

Getting materials, fixtures and appliances on time turned out to be the biggest pandemic-related challenge. “We only just finally got the last of our appliances in March,” says Toews. “They were supposed to be in six months prior to that, so it caused some headaches.”

Having less people on site for proper social distancing also meant things took longer in some cases, costing more ABOVE: JAYMAN BUILT’S QUANTUM PERFORMANCE ULTRA E-HOMES ARE THE NET ZERO OPTION OF THE FUTURE. “WE’RE PRETTY EXCITED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THESE HOMES ACTUALLY MEET THE 2050 CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS ALREADY TODAY, AND THEY’RE AFFORDABLE,” SAYS CHARLES FAY, VICE PRESIDENT AT JAYMAN BUILT, EDMONTON. PHOTO SOURCE: CHERYL SILSBE PHOTOGRAPHY

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AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK // CONSTRUCTION

money than normal. With factories and plants at limited capacity, production of some materials, especially lumber, has decreased and prices are up. “We’re seeing lumber pricing going sky high, and everything’s going up,” says Toews.

“We’ve seen product shortages before, and this will sort out, but it’s going to cause some short-term issues for sure.”

It won’t stop their mission to recharge downtown communities for the health of residents, businesses and the entire city, though. “Capital is our second conversion project we’ve done in downtown Edmonton, adding about 400 new residential units,” says Toews. “That has an impact.

It’s so good for the downtown, and for Edmonton in general.

The city really is evolving and they’re seeing a lot more residential development down in the core. I’m really hopeful for downtown Edmonton; I’m a big believer.”

Striving to stay ahead of the industry, Jayman BUILT has much for Edmonton to be excited about. Their Quantum Performance Ultra E-Homes are the net zero option of the future. The product offering is the culmination of 15 years’ research, development and launch specification. “We’re pretty excited to let everyone know that these homes actually meet the 2050 climate change targets already today, and they’re affordable,” says Fay. The homes produce as much energy as they consume through features including Jayman’s proprietary wall and insulating system, solar panels and ultra-efficient windows.

Their basements are equipped with air source heat pumps for heating and cooling. “We offer this option on any model we sell right now, it’s not plan specific,” says Fay. “Our show home here is in the Hills of Charlesworth. Traffic has been really good and there’s a lot of interest.”

Edmonton can also look forward to two upcoming communities: Brenton at Glenridding Ravine in the scenic southwest, and Hawks Ridge at Big Lake in the nature surrounded northwest. “Both communities are set in beautiful, amenity rich areas. We’re excited to bring a cache of larger product to each of these communities.” says Fay. “We’re still fairly early into development so our buyers have the opportunity to personalize their own homes. There’s a great selection in lot sizes, houses and styles that fit all lifestyles and budgets.”

Feedback has been incredible as the Brenton show home, backing onto Whitemud Creek, opened in mid-March. This community has an exclusive limited opportunity for buyers with approximately 150 homes. Hawks Ridge, a longer-term project building out over the next 10 years, offers a balance of city convenience with nature’s calm. The show home opened in early April to reveal all the community has to offer.

Despite reduced capacity in sales centres and onsite trades people, sales have remained strong. “We saw a slowdown at the start of the pandemic, but it picked back up and continued to be steady. We’re seeing a pretty strong real estate market as we’ve started into this year,” says Fay. “We have an unbelievably diverse customer base. For us to provide them homes and the level of service we do, it’s pretty incredible when we get to turn their home over to them.”

While builders are excited about the opportunities Edmonton has to offer, the construction sector as a whole is striving to improve, be more inclusive and lead the industry ABOVE: COMMON AMENITIES IN CAPITAL ARE DESIGNED TO BUILD COMMUNITY AMONGST TENANTS. THEIR SKY LOUNGE, FREE CAPPUCCINO BAR AND OTHER MEETING SPACES ARE EXCELLENT SOCIAL AND WORK SPACES. PHOTO SOURCE: STRATEGIC GROUP

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AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK // CONSTRUCTION

towards better overall outcomes. If the pandemic has taught Albertans anything it’s that we’re stronger together. The Edmonton Construction Association shared a recent report on the subject with Business in Edmonton Magazine. A more detailed look into this topic is available through Aniela Alexander’s article Breaking Ground in ECA’s publication.

Alexander’s article highlights organizations like Canada’s Building Trades Union (CBTU), an alliance of 14 building and construction unions representing over 500,000 skilled tradespeople in Canada. They’ve created Building Together, Women of the Building Trades to support and mentor women in skilled construction trades. “Construction is seen as the last frontier in terms of increasing numbers of female representation,” says the CBTU. “Other industries and sectors [like] the military, law enforcement, etc. have surpassed 15 per cent female representation. The number of women in construction has remained unchanged for years.”

Local non-profit Women Building Futures (WBF) is also working to empower women for economic prosperity.

Their mission is to remove barriers and provide industryrecognized training in the construction trades, maintenance and transportation industries. “We know COVID-19 has disproportionately affected women across our communities,” says Carol Moen, president of Women Building Futures.

“We’re in the process of launching a collection of employment express programs which have been designed to get unemployed women back to work.”

As Alberta looks forward, the outlook is optimistic. “We’re looking forward to doing more business here in Edmonton,” says Toews. “We love the city and we’re excited to see it grow.

We get through these things, and in Alberta, we’re going to be strong getting out of all of this.”

T. I M A E R D .

E T A V O N RE E IT. LOV

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5G: THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

5G:

THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE

BY WILL PORTER

T

echnology is an ever fluid entity that is constantly evolving and advancing, and when it comes to mobile telecommunication, the latest is 5G technologies. 5G, a shorthand form of 5th generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, is the successor to 4G. This tech started rolling out worldwide in 2019. With 5G comes increases in network throughput, bandwidth, decreases in latency, and more opportunities for businesses that depend on fast, low latency remote connections.

In the Edmonton area, the major cell phone network providers in Canada started rolling out their 5G cell phone infrastructure to the public in 2020. Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO, TELUS, tells us about the success of their roll out and its coverage and uses in the last year.

“TELUS launched our 5G network last summer and it is now available in 81 communities across the country. That is roughly 30 per cent of the Canadian population. Throughout the pandemic, our customers – businesses, consumers, and students – with 5G network access have had vital

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connectivity to allow them work from home, meet their doctor online, watch a lecture and advance technological innovation to support economic recovery and growth amid COVID-19. However, the full realization of 5G in Canada will take some time, and this is mainly due to the need for different bands of radio frequencies (spectrum) that the government must make available to carriers like TELUS. Once we’re given access, Canadians will be propelled into a world that includes remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, next-level gaming, immersive education and so much more.”

5G affords businesses more access than ever before to mobile telecommunication connections. Gedeon explains, “With 5G, network congestion is a thing of the past. Beyond lightningfast speeds, 5G offers more capabilities over today’s 4G networks, including increased capacity, ultra-low latency, network slicing and edge computing. This means employees will be able to live and work anywhere with faster, more secure connections, helping close the gap between rural and urban Canadians. 5G’s lower latency will also revolutionize things like manufacturing and supply chain automation.”

STORY 5G: THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

GOODCHILD EXPANDS, “CONSPIRACY THEORIES OFTEN HAVE A BIT OF TRUTH TO THEM, WHICH CAN MAKE THEM VERY APPEALING. WHEN PEOPLE SEE A KERNEL OF TRUTH, THEY MAY AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME THAT THE ENTIRE THEORY MUST BE COMPLETELY TRUE.” around for ages. In a way, these theories can help people cope with uncertain or uncomfortable situations by offering an explanation for the chaos, even though there may be very little proof.”

A big worry that people have within Canada is the cost of mobile cell phone plans, and what 5G means for them in terms of their mobile phone bills, but Gedeon reassures us saying, “TELUS 5G is available at no additional cost on TELUS Peace of Mind plans with endless data and no overage fees.”

Of course, with the release of new technologies, there are always naysayers, and with the COVID-19 pandemic putting stress on everybody across the world, conspiracy theories are gaining ground far more prolifically than previous wireless network generations. These conspiracy theories range from the mild, such as 5G technology being able to spy on the general public, to the scientifically impossible and outrageous claims of 5G spreading the COVID-19 virus globally.

Speaking on the mental health issues of conspiracy theories, especially during times of global upheaval, Vanessa Goodchild, M.C., registered psychologist and clinical director of Solace Psychology, delves deep into the causes of conspiracy theories in society.

“A conspiracy theory usually involves a secretive plot conjured up by a powerful, potentially dangerous group of people who are looking to gain something for themselves,” she says. “Conspiracy theories are not new; they have been

ABOVE: VANESSA GOODCHILD, M.C., REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST, CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF SOLACE PSYCHOLOGY.

CLASS 1

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5G: THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Goodchild expands, “Conspiracy theories often have a bit of truth to them, which can make them very appealing.

When people see a kernel of truth, they may automatically assume that the entire theory must be completely true. This especially occurs with people who feel anxious, fearful or out of control and desperately want quick answers.”

Increased access to media is a major propagator for conspiracy theories these days Goodchild points out. “The media provides us with immediate access to information and plays a large role in the spread of conspiracy theories. The companies and individuals in the spotlight who have the most followers will have more influence on the public. They have already gained the trust of their followers so they can share a theory based on very little evidence and have huge support.”

The COVID-19 pandemic causing uncertainty in many people’s lives has been a major trigger for increased conspiracy theory belief, which coincidentally occurred around the same time as 5G technology rollouts.

Goodchild speaks on triggers and cites sources, noting, “Research shows that individuals who feel distressed as a result of uncertainty are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories (van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013) and therefore, develop paranoia. These people often need cognitive closure for events that lack clear official explanations (Marchlewska, Cichocka, & Kossowska, 2017). They are not satisfied with typical, simple explanations (Leman & Cinnirella, 2013). They want a causal explanation to gain a sense of stability and control over their environment, and ultimately their lives.”

Confirmation bias and groupthink are major contributors to conspiracy theories Goodchild points out.

“This is where the confirmation bias comes in. Individuals will seek out and favour information that confirms their beliefs while ignoring or justifying facts that go against their beliefs. Research shows that this effect is stronger for emotionally charged events, which makes sense regarding the most recent conspiracies about threats to our freedom under 5G surveillance.

“Groupthink is another reason why conspiracy theories spread. Groupthink is a phenomenon first coined by

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

psychologist Irving Janis in 1971. It occurs when a group of people make irrational decisions based on the desire to conform and fit in with the others. We are social beings, so acceptance and approval are sometimes more valued than critical thinking or speaking the truth.”

For those looking forward to the advances of 5G, upgrading your cell phone is likely a must, and proper recycling steps should be taken to ensure your old technology doesn’t just end up in a landfill. Brad Schultz, director of operations at Alberta Recycling Management Authority, informs us about their latest program.

“We have 450+ collection sites throughout the province that are currently participating in the ePilot project, so all communities and their residents have the convenience to discard electronics material for recycling.” Visit www. albertarecycling.ca/recycling-depots to find a recycling depot near you.

Schultz reiterates the importance of recycling for technology. “As we know, a number of these devices contain hazardous material. To ensure these materials are kept out of the waste stream, we’ve provided an opportunity for all Albertans to take these devices to end of life and to create an opportunity to generate commodities in the manufacturing of new products.”

Providing information on how successful the new program has been, Schultz says. “The data collected is weight-based and the tonnage that has been collected and recycled to date is approximately 1,305 tonnes. Our target is to double the overall volumes of material based on our current electronics program intake. We are currently working on a provincewide media campaign to increase the ePilot program awareness to the province, which in turn, we’re hoping to increase volumes of materials being recycled.”

Despite the vocal minority of conspiracy theorists, the roll out of the new 5G telecommunication technology has been a wild success, and a boon to consumers and businesses across Canada. With further expansion of frequencies by the Government of Canada in the future, we should see new possibilities in all industries of what can be done remotely throughout Canada and the world.

WHY RANCHLANDS? ENCHANCED SERVICES Provides your business a stable and reliable computing environment.

IT MANAGEMENT Offering longterm, adaptable solutions to create a pro-active IT environment for your business.

TRADITIONAL SUPPORT Reliable, affordable technicians available as needed, onsite when needed.

OPTIMIZING DATA SECURITY Ensuring your data is available to you when you need it.

O

perating since 2003, Ranchlands IT Services provides Alberta’s small businesses a professional, reliable, and adaptable IT support team at a fraction of the cost of having your own staff. We research and design your network; source, provide and install the equipment necessary for your business to thrive, and; provide lasting maintenance, support, and advice to keep it running smoothly.

Lenovo© – We carry a full line of SMB to enterprise grade servers and networking equipment.

While sourcing industry standard solutions offering the best value for your budget, we are one of the area’s leading partners for Lenovo, ioSafe, Fortinet and Schneider/APC brands of products that result in sound technology and service for your business environment.

Ranchlands offers a Managed Services approach in our business practice to ensure your company a stable, more reliable and proactive way to ensure your systems are available when you need them.

• 24x7 monitoring of your system • Proactive maintenance on servers and network equipment • Periodic management checks • Customized PC and network support desk offerings for your staff IOSafe/CRU© – Call us for fireproof/ waterproof NAS storage.

“Enterprise-based solutions for your growing business” isn’t just a catch phrase, it’s been our reason for existing since 2003!

If your company spends thousands of dollars a month in IT services, contact us to find out how we may be able to optimize or even shrink that budget for you.

#104, 8704-51 Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T6E 5E8 780-809-2999 • www.ranchlandsgroup.com

CULTURE SETS US APART

exactly what was listed above, and it was done in a very safe manner.

T

he community that a club can build amongst its members is easily the single greatest reason that people remain at that facility. The club culture is the glue that binds the people and differentiates it from simply a golf course. The Glendale Golf & Country Club has made huge strides in changing its club culture over the past several seasons.

Long known as the “player’s club” in Edmonton golf circles due to the toughness of the course and its large percentage of low handicap golfers who made up the membership, that stigma is being reshaped to truly show the full scope of the Club. It’s our family friendly facilities and programs that are leading the charge. Will the course continue to be manicured to exceptional standards and in championship condition? Absolutely, but the focus is on what we offer to all golfers whatever their skill level.

The change in attitudes of both the new management as well as the membership has created an ambience and feel that is very relaxed and inclusive while at the same time upholding golf’s storied traditions. The Club is seen as a place of recreation and relaxation, a happy place, an escape from the stress of everyday life. This last statement could not ring truer than in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives forever. What the Club gave our members was

Probably the largest draw for families continues to be the outdoor pool facility that is unique compared to the other private golf clubs in the city. The ability for families to enjoy Edmonton summers poolside complete with licensed food and beverage service sets us apart.

We offer swimming lessons and golf/swim camps throughout the season as well. Our well-appointed clubhouse affords the ability to host events of any size: weddings, parties, meetings, golf tournaments, all the way down to daily restaurant offerings.

Memberships are available in various forms for the 2021 golf season and beyond. For those looking at a long-term investment, shareholder memberships provide an ownership stake. Just looking to try the Glendale for a year or two before deciding? We also have associate memberships that allow you to try the Club and see if it is a good fit.

The future is bright at the Glendale Golf & Country Club. When considering your private club options, keep us top of mind. For more information or any questions, please feel free to contact me at gmcgarry@theglendale.com. We would love to show you what sets the Glendale apart today!

Glendale Golf & Country Club Edmonton’s Premier Family Club

Contact Greg McGarry (General Manager) at gmcgarry@theglendale.com for more information

www.theglendale.com

CORPORATE GOLF // GOLF

• Corporate Advertising & Golf Programs • Memberships • Group Outings and Events • Weddings • Gift Certificates • Golf Merchandise or Golf Passes Prime time rate $99.00 (Twilight $74) includes 18 holes of golf, shared use of power golf cart, use of driving range before your round. Pricing excludes GST. Follow us on

@Coloniale_GC

Contact us for more information at 780-929-4653 or visit www.coloniale.ca

SHAREHOLDER AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

Glendale Golf & Country Club Edmonton’s Premier Family Club

Contact Greg McGarry (General Manager) at gmcgarry@theglendale.com for more information

www.theglendale.com BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // MAY 2021

39

DOES BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE COVER A PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN? // RISK MANAGEMENT

DOES BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE COVER A PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN? WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19 AND COVERAGE, BUSINESSES NEED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THEIR POLICIES ENTAIL

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

A

ccording to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, COVID-19 could cause 181,000 organizations across the nation to close their doors.

In Alberta, the report shows 22 per cent of businesses may be forced into bankruptcy or closure. The pandemic was a huge interruption to companies of all sizes, but those with business interruption insurance were spared and reaped the benefit of their investment…right…?

Actually, it’s complicated.

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

Tom Castonguay, CFP, is the president of Shelter Bay Financial.

“Business interruption insurance,” explains Castonguay, “is based on the owner or key person and disability is the main reason for a claim. You can buy a policy as a disability product to cover the expenses of the business and fixed costs. It can cover salaries as well. Typically, this insurance is for companies with five or less full time employees.”

That means a shutdown due to COVID-19 is not covered.

DOES BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE COVER A PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN? // RISK MANAGEMENT

CASTONGUAY POINTS OUT, “WHILE BUSINESSES ARE NOT COVERED FOR SHUTDOWNS UNDER (DISABILITY OVERHEAD INSURANCE) BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, UNFORESEEN EVENTS MAY BE COVERED BY GENERAL OR CASUALTY INSURANCE.

However, if the lives insured contracted the virus and became seriously ill, became a long hauler, or were hospitalized, there may be grounds for a claim.

However, Castonguay points out, “While businesses are not covered for shutdowns under (disability overhead insurance) business interruption insurance, unforeseen events may be covered by general or casualty insurance. Again, this is nuanced and wholly dependent on the policy. For example, if a business burned down or flooded while in shut down and nobody was on the premises to notice or defray the risk, this could be covered under catastrophic damages – but if the policy required someone to check on the premise weekly while it was unoccupied, the insurer would need to establish that this condition was met.”

Doug Laird, president, Rogers McLean Shaw, also weighs in.

“There are typically two common business interruption coverage forms: gross profits and gross earnings. Another hybrid or modification of these two forms is the actual loss sustained (ALS), a coverage that is only applicable if there is an insured peril under the direct damage policy to which this endorsement is added. There are other qualifiers and worksheets to best evaluate the proper limits of insurance and these are best discussed with your broker and your accountant.”

What does that mean for Alberta companies that had to shut down? Laird explains, “Most general insurance policies in Canada had the provision that physical damage was required by an insured peril to trigger a business interruption loss. Therefore, the majority of policies with the coverage would have been denied. Despite this, many brokers across Canada would have submitted these claims to the respective insurance companies for review. I do not know of any specific policy that would have responded, other than those that had a small extensions with limits less than $10,000 for outbreak extra expense.

“Business interruption policy wordings can vary widely from client to client, however, most require some kind of physical damage to the insured premises to trigger a claim. We are seeing some coverage disputes with a few lawsuits occurring in Canada. These lawsuits have highlighted the potential for a gap between the insurer’s and the client’s understanding of what is covered by the insurance contract when policy wording isn’t clear. There are certain policies that may have this coverage included, such as special event cancellation insurance, but now with the past COVID-19 experience, some of these wordings are being rewritten as more is learned about loss exposure.”

The answer to, “can I make a claim if I have business interruption insurance and was shut down by COVID-19,” is “maybe but unlikely.” It is highly dependent on the details

ABOVE: TOM CASTONGUAY, CFP, PRESIDENT, SHELTER BAY FINANCIAL.

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

41

DOES BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE COVER A PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN? // RISK MANAGEMENT

LAIRD ADDS, “BUSINESS INTERRUPTION VARIES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF COVERAGE. THE PURCHASER SHOULD SPEND THE TIME WITH THEIR BROKER AND ACCOUNTANT TO DETERMINE THE BEST FOR THE NEEDS OF THE COMPANY.

of the policy, physical damage sustained to the property, and the presence of a disability if a key person named in the policy became ill.

This, then, begs the question, if a successful claim is unlikely for what feels like a clear business interruption, what is the point of coverage? It still has a lot of value, as COVID-19 is far from the only risk businesses face.

Laird says, “Some of the most common deficiencies of a major insurable loss not being covering by business interruption include the following: • Unable to pay the salaries of key management/employees.

This could result in losing some of your key employees to a competitor.

• Not having the funds to pay business and realty taxes.

• A building owner not having the ability to collect rents from tenants.

• Not having the funds available to pay for advertising and promotion, and continuing office and administration.

• Not having the funds available to advise your clients of your loss and what will happen to their order, if applicable.

• Not having any funds available to provide the extra costs for a temporary facility, rent, telephone, etc.

• Not having the funds available for equipment rental including computers, generators, furniture, etc.

“Business interruption coverage is a key coverage protecting an organization from not being able to reopen following a major loss and should be one of the items considered as part of the recovery plan. As high as 65 per cent of businesses never survive a major loss; 40 per cent never reopen and 25 per cent close within two years. It is for this reason business interruption should be considered as a main component of your commercial insurance program.”

If you are now convinced to get business interruption insurance, can you make a stipulation for COVID-19?

Castonguay points out, “That depends on each carrier.

Now, some add COVID questionnaires to the underwriting process and some to the delivery requirements. From what I’ve seen from a disability standpoint, if you are insurable today COVID is just like anything else that can take you down, like cancer.”

Laird adds, “Business interruption varies depending on the type of coverage. The purchaser should spend the time with their broker and accountant to determine the best for the needs of the company.

Business interruption insurance is an important part of coverage for your company. Work with an insurance professional that will find the best policy to suit your needs, and will discuss the many aspects of the policy with you so there is a clear understanding of the product.

ABOVE: DOUG LAIRD, PRESIDENT, ROGERS MCLEAN SHAW.

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

Promote your business and build your brand.

2021 Board of Directors Board Executive

Chair: Elan MacDonald Vice President (External Relations), University of Alberta Vice Chair: Jeffrey Sundquist Chief Executive Officer, EDC Environmental Group of Companies Inc. Secretary-Treasurer: Craig Thorkelsson Head of Tax, PCL Constructors Inc. Past Chair: Bryan DeNeve Senior Vice President, Business Development and Commercial Services, Capital Power Janet M. Riopel 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 Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Jason Pincock CEO, DynaLIFE Medical Labs Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory

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 – 9990 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com

Scott Channon, Director, Marketing and Communications, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

M

arketing your business is vital to increase awareness and sales, especially during times of crisis. Advertising budgets are often the first thing to be slashed when times are tight, but that can be a costly mistake because you are reducing your ability to generate new sales. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can focus your efforts and promote your business without making costly investments.

Be strategic with your marketing. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and feel the need to be everything to everybody. Don’t fall into this trap. You know your business, your current customers, and what your goals are—focus on those. Write them down and constantly refer back to them as you plan. Your plan should include a SWOT analysis, existing and target audience(s), goals, plan of action, and timelines. This will act as your roadmap moving forward, but just like a map, you may need to make adjustments as you go.

Open lines of communication and build relationships. Whether it’s in-person or virtual, building relationships and trust with consumers takes time, but a successful brand relies on these to grow. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. What do you want to see before you give a company your money? Get to know your customers and explore ways to regularly engage with them; it could be through email, blogs, social media, or any number of other channels, just make sure you are being considerate, thoughtful, and genuine. The more you know your customers, the better you will be able to provide value, and the more they will trust your brand.

Your online presence matters. The shift to online marketing and sales has never been more important. It’s estimated that internet hits have increased 60-70% in the last year, so make sure your website provides a good guest experience. Update content, operating hours, and phone numbers. Ensure your navigation is easy to use, and try giving your landing page a refresh to welcome your customers. Do a search of your business and find out where you rank in the results, you may need to update your keywords. Finally, make sure that your website is mobile-friendly—it’s not an option.

Enhance your social media. Social media is essential to marketing and the pandemic has only further emphasized its importance. There isn’t a “one size fits all” solution so you will need to match your business to the most suitable platforms. A quick search will give you insights into each platform and its user demographics, but a very high-level summation of the major contenders is; Facebook – show who you are, Twitter – quick, concise updates, Instagram – visual content, Pinterest – aspirational creation, and LinkedIn – highlight your skills. Whichever platform you use, make sure to get creative. Start and join conversations, post frequently, create exclusive offers, update customers and take some calculated risks. Now isn’t the time to blend in. Social media is a great way to create buzz, can be inexpensive, and is a useful way to target new audiences.

The Edmonton Chamber also has many ways for our members to help promote themselves, learn new ways to do business, and have their voices heard. It’s what we do. Visit edmontonchamber.com to find more.

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

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Rotaflow Member Profile Amir Shami, COO, Rotaflow www.rotaflow.ca What’s your story?

Rotaflow was founded in 1994 in Edmonton by Zahir Jiwa, a baccalaureate in electrical engineering from the University of Wales. The focus of the company was in electrical, instrumentation, and controls engineering & design.

In the Company’s first decade, we received the first contract with Suncor and saw a growth to 30 employees with expanded services in inspection and maintenance in electrical, instrumentation and controls, and mechanical disciplines.

In 2013, the opportunity arose to expand Rotaflow’s services into the fire protection industry. Being the seasoned entrepreneur Zahir was, he took that vision and made it into reality through sound strategic development.

With his many years of experience in the industrial sector, he shifted the companies focus to providing services and solutions in fire protection. This lead Rotaflow to receiving its first maintenance contract in 2015, which in turn, lead to another 3-year contract, and a recently extended contract as Suncor Fort Hills sole inspection and maintenance provider for their fire protection needs.

Zahir has always been an avid reader and learner which allows him to intuitively see threads of opportunity in the industry and with the people he works with. With his vision and ability to be an inspirational leader, Zahir brought in like-minded individuals to impart his technical and industrial knowledge to grow Rotaflow into a trusted and reputable company in the industrial utilities sector.

Today, Rotaflow is an EPCM/GC company that specializes in industrial utilities and fire protection. With 100 qualified employees, Rotaflow provides engineering, construction, maintenance and operation services to major oil and gas producers in Alberta.

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

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

We believe the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has a unique position in creating a trustworthy environment for all businesses in the community regardless of size or sector, to speak-up about their concerns and desires.

Being part of a network with so many other organization members enables Rotaflow to connect with like-minded professionals and has provided a platform for our Company to be heard. As a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, we feel part of a larger community that has aided in our growth and provided us with the knowledge and skills essential to effectively run our business.

Since joining, we have actively participated in events and educational programs where we’ve built relationships with other members that can provide solutions to our business needs. Chambers provides enormous benefits and opportunities, so much so, that our Fort McMurray office has joined the Wood Buffalo Chamber of Commerce.

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

One thing that our clients are always surprised to learn about our business is that while we have the capacity to take on large and complex scopes, we are small enough to provide oneto-one customer service with owners. We take pride in being a one-stop-shop for all problems, big or small, while always maintaining a positive customer-centric experience.

POWERING THE PARK.

#130, 3001 BUCKINGHAM DRIVE SHERWOOD PARK, AB

Memberships that help your business.

It’s what we do.

As a member of one of the largest chambers in Canada, you have access to a wide range of contacts, resources, discounts, events, and brand exposure.

You’re also part of our strong collective voice to government that will help give your business the support it needs.

Call us today at 780.426.4620 and start leveraging your membership.

edmontonchamber.com

Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

ADAPT, OVERCOME, TRIUMPH: Orion Plastics Evolves to Change and Grow the Industry

By Nerissa McNaughton Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years 47

Greg Makar, Stephen Moore and Nuno Branco.

Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

O

rion Plastics is a manufacturer of custom extruded plastic sheet products for the heavy gauge vacuum forming industry, and melt blown polypropylene non-woven fabric to produce N95, surgical masks, disposable masks and other PPE for the medical industry.

Orion’s on-site warehouse stocks product sheets in many different sizes, gauges, textures and colours.

Stephen Moore, president, explains, “Our most in-demand product is a co-extruded specialty engineered ABS and TPO sheet for use in the RV and aftermarket automotive industries. These products offer custom colours matched to paint colours, are durable, and feature decorative surfaces and textures for weight reduction, fuel economy and provide weight reduction on vehicles and heavy trucks. We have experience over the past 20 years exporting our products worldwide and have expertise in international trade, trade finance and have the fastest lead times in the industry.”

The company was founded by Douglas Wayne Minion, and his son Shayne Minion. Wayne was the former first chairman of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission; having run many businesses during his career he wanted to launch and run a business with his son. In 1999, Orion acquired the assets of RPC Manufacturing and opened for business. By 2000, the company was already growing fast, necessitating a relocation to a larger facility on the south side, along with the purchase of second sheet extrusion line.

A third extrusion line and an expansion into the coextruded ABS sheet market happened in 2003, followed by growth across Canada and the United States from 2004-2009. In 2010, Orion purchased and commissioned a fourth sheet line, the largest of its kind in Canada. It is capable of running extruded plastic up to 120” wide. This sheet is used to run roof caps for John Deere and Case New Holland combines and tractors.

Between 2012 and 2014, ownership shifted to the current group: Stephen Moore, president; Greg Makar, VP sales and marketing; and Nuno Branco, VP operations.

The new owners revamped the business and the growth continued. Moore says, “We relocated to the St. Albert

Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years | 2

Providing Renewable Energy Since 2009

Congratulations to Orion Plastics on their anniversary and smart decision making to reduce their operational costs and environmental footprint by investing in solar!

Serving all of Alberta Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am-4pm

www.greatcanadiansolar.com

facility in 2017. In 2019 Orion, in partnership with Great Canadian Solar and Enmax, we installed the largest solar array in Edmonton and St. Albert. This array is capable of producing approximately 1.0MM kWh/yr, offsetting 20 per cent of our electrical consumption.”

Saving on electricity isn’t the only eco-conscious step Orion has taken. Moore points out, “The plastics industry has been given a bad rap in recent years, however Orion Plastics has

Nuno Branco, Founder & Mentor – Douglas Wayne Minion, Greg Makar and Stephen Moore.

Congratulations Orion Plastics on your 20th anniversary!

102 – 3128 Parsons Rd. Edmonton, AB Ph: 888-236-4657

embraced the circular economy and is a big proponent of recycling. We have closed loop recycling in-line granulators on each of our lines. Whatever is not used gets captured and goes back into the process. When an extruded sheet goes to the customer, we work with them to set up a recycling program, and whatever they don’t use is picked up, brought back to our plant and converted back into finished products.

We are big into environmental sustainability and finding ways to work with other companies to leverage resources.

We want to be the first net zero plastic manufacturing company in North America and with the initiatives we’ve embarked on, we are well on our way to doing that.”

Not even the pandemic could slow down this progressive company.

“In April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government of Canada’s Call to Action, we purchased three melt blown polypropylene non-woven fabric extrusion lines to support the PPE and medical mask industry,” says Moore.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ORION PLASTICS ON 20 YEARS OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE. We wish you many years of continued success.

2900 Manulife Place 10180 – 101 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3V5 PH 780 423 5730 • F 780 428 6324 • bryanco.com

“COVID-19 brought to light the structural risks in our economy by showing how much of our strategic assets have been outsourced overseas. Globalization has given us the impression that the world is smaller than we think, however the pandemic has strained supply chains too far. We are currently a leading manufacturer of the woven fabric used in PPE in Canada and have recently been congratulated by the Hon. Dale Nally, Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity, in celebration of how we are converting Alberta’s natural resources into fabric to support the province’s health services. This is just one more way in which Orion is creative, innovative and an active participant in job creation. By entering the PPE market, we were able to hire more staff, even during the height of the pandemic.”

Moore takes time to reflect on how far Orion has come in just a few short years, saying, “The most rewarding thing for me about Orion Plastics is that I started my career as a plastics engineering technologist, but throughout my

Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years | 4

career I have had the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, learn new things, and create that opportunity as well for the employees and families of the team at Orion Plastics too. Like many startup companies, it took time for Orion Plastics to find its footing. For the first 12 years Orion struggled to achieve profitability, and not until after restructuring the business and redefining its mission did we attain our goal. From that point the company has been a great success.

“During our restructuring, we focused our efforts on the top 20 per cent of our customer list. These partners were the best in their industry. Orion adopted the motto, ‘we don’t try to be everything to everyone.’ We focus on our core customers, exceed expectations, and providing remarkable customer service. Our challenge now is developing innovative ways to create new products and supply chain solutions for our partners and customers so we can solve their challenges.”

CHANGING TIMES REQUIRE EXPERT ADVICE. A rapidly changing business landscape is why many businesses rely on Lloyd Sadd as Alberta’s commercial insurance and risk management experts.

As part of Navacord®, one of Canada’s largest Commercial Brokers, Lloyd Sadd has even more breadth of knowledge, national reach and experience that few others can replicate.

Contact a Lloyd Sadd Advisor to help you navigate through these changing times.

WE LISTEN. WE THINK. WE DELIVER.TM lloydsadd.com | 1.800.665.5243 | 780.930.8900

Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years | 5

CONGRATULATIONS ORION PLASTICS ON 20 YEARS OF SERVICE! We look forward to our continued partnership.

CIBC Commercial Banking - Edmonton Team cibc.com/commercial The CIBC logo is a trademark of CIBC.

Congratulations to Orion Plastics for 20 years in the business.

We look forward to continuing our work together in the future.

Grant Thornton Private Business Growth Awards as a top 10 finalist (Canada).

#1200, 10117 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 1W8 P: 780-488-0888 | F: 780-483-2277 | www.lizotterealestate.com

TEC Canada congratulates the team at Orion Plastics and Stephen Moore, President and TEC Canada member, on 20 years in business!

Deeper Insights.

Real Impact.

tec-canada.com 403.262.1010

C I B C WO O D G U N DY MILLER CURLEY I N V E S T M E N T PA RT N E R S

Orion is ISO 9001:2015 certified and COR® recognized.

The company practices lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to achieve unmatched quality and delivery industry wide while offering competitive pricing. In addition to being customer and culture focused, Orion is very active in the community, supporting causes such as Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, The Lung Association Alberta & NWT and Soccer Elite Academy/Northside United FC. Orion has been recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (Prairies), by the Grant Thornton Private Business Growth Awards as a top 10 finalist (Canada), as a Lund Supplier of the Year, by the EEDC Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (Alberta) and as a CPSC Employer of Choice (Gold).

The ownership team thanks the staff, clients, and vendors, along with Master TEC Chair Emeritus Rick Harvey as well as the founding and present members of TEC Canada KEY545 (2009).

Kurt Miller, B.Comm., CIM

“We want to tell our partner customers and clients that we are grateful to work with each and every one of them,” Moore adds. “They are the best of the best in the plastics industry, and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to support them on producing their products and being a valuable part of their supply chain, creating the amazing products that consumers enjoy everyday.”

CIBC Private Wealth Management consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. “CIBC Private Wealth Management” is a registered trademark of CIBC, used under license. “Wood Gundy” is a registered trademark of CIBC World Markets Inc. If you are currently a CIBC Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor.

Moore draws parallels between Orion Plastics and one of his favourite movies, Dead Poets Society, noting that Orion has overcome numerous challenges by seizing the day (carpe diem), looking to experienced mentors for guidance

Congratulations on 20 Years!

WE ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF YOUR SUCCESS Vice-President, Portfolio Manager Tel: 780 970-5302 | kurt.miller@cibc.com | www.millercurley.ca

Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years | 6

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (Prairies).

(Oh Captain! My Captain!) and most of all, in life, business, management, and giving back, he and the team at Orion strive to “make their lives extraordinary.” When always endeavoring to do better and to achieve the next goal and overcome the next challenge, Moore knows Orion can change the future of plastics.

“From here, the sky is the limit!” concludes Moore.

“Electrification of the automobile and transportation industries present new and exciting opportunities, and Orion Plastics looks forward to rising to the challenge.

Onward and upwards!”

35 Calder Place, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 5A6 Phone: (780) 431-2112 Fax: (780) 431-2002 Toll Free: +1 (877) 711-2112 orionplastics.com

Congratulations Orion Plastics on 20 Years!

From Preferred Client Services. Alberta’s S.W.A.T. Bookkeepers.

780-439-9457 www.preferredclientservices.ca Orion Plastics | Celebrating 20 Years | 7

WE WORK

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Steven Hsu. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

NIRIX INTRODUCES “We are a small business doing big things.”

By Nerissa McNaughton

S

teven Hsu wanted to build something special, and not only did he achieve that, he created something that was ahead of its time. Now, through his company NIRIX, he’s poised to unveil another technology evolution.

Hsu launched NIRIX in 2000 as an IT provider.

“Like most tech startups, my first office was in my basement,” says Hsu. “I had just bought a new house, so in a way, this business venture was a ‘bet on everything’ strategy. Not only did I have a newly acquired mortgage, this was during the bust of the dot.com bubble, and the fears around Y2K. Looking back, I was taking a huge risk, but I didn’t realize it then.”

Despite the risk, NIRIX’s IT solutions were so effective, he was able to hire his first full time employee later that year. By 2005 NIRIX was big enough to move into a commercial space. In 2011 NIRIX rebranded completely to offer IT cloud-based subscription based services.

NIRIX • 20 YEARS

55

Steven Hsu and Henry Yip, Executive Chairman, board of directors.

Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

“That required us to change our entire business and operational model. Broad changes had to be made across our entire product line, marketing, messaging, technology operations and finance. NIRIX moved from a fixed one-time revenue model to a monthly recurring subscription service model,” says Hsu. “We were pioneers in this regard because most businesses, at the time, acquired IT services and solutions as capital intensive purchases with 18-24 months of Return on Investment (ROI). Monthly fees or subscription services were not common in 2011, even though today, the majority of IT solutions and services are subscription based and treated as business operating expenses. Over the next eight years NIRIX transitioned successfully from 90 per cent one-time based revenue to 95 per cent recurring based revenue model.”

After being on the cusp of cloud service, NIRIX is ready to be at the forefront of the next technology revolution once again.

“We are a pioneer in technology and push tech to the limit. We are always the early adopters. What we typically invest in turns out to be the norm within a decade,” says Hsu before he introduces NIRIX’s newest product.

“From 2011-2020 NIRIX was an IT Cloud Service Provider (CSP) with seven cloudbased products. In our drive to continuously improve, innovate and deliver competitive solutions with compelling value, NIRIX will once again make another transformation in 2021. This is a transformation that will see NIRIX become a digital workspace company with the launch of our new product: oneWorkspace.” oneWorkspace is a digital workspace platform designed for business. It goes beyond a paperless office with the flexibility of transforming your business into an operation where the entire workforce can access and work off a single centralized and unified platform remotely without the need for physical offices.

“NIRIX oneWorkspace allows you to work from anywhere, anytime, from any location and over any connection as if you were working in a controlled office,” explains Hsu. “The platform is perfect for the pandemic, but this innovation was not created as a pandemic response. We have had this in development for the last 10 years. We had a vision of the office of the future where people would work from the location of their choice – the mobile workforce.”

Once again, NIRIX’s vision was right on point. When the pandemic hit, their clients that were already on the successor of oneWorkspace and had no issues continuing

NIRIX • 20 YEARS • 2

operations. Others were quickly looking for solutions to build capacity and increase accessibility from the sudden and unexpected need to create a work from home (WFH) workforce. oneWorkspace is a secured digital platform where advanced security mechanisms are deployed across the entire platform while ensuring ease of access. Hsu feels the transition to this type of workplace was already in play; the pandemic simply shifted things into high gear and created an urgency for digital workplace transitions.

“We do tend to be 5-10 years ahead of the market in terms of solutions,” says Hsu. “We must educate, promote and attract businesses to something that is innovative. We want to make sure we enter the market at the right time and help clients see the value in what we have created and the solutions that can be provided. The pandemic has accelerated the need and made the introduction and rollout of oneWorkspace a bit easier.”

Although oneWorkspace’s rollout was boosted by the broad and rapid WFH transition, Hsu notes that the journey is never an easy one.

“To innovate in technology, you have to be a visionary and a calculated risk taker. You have to have grit because your ideas are unproven. There will be a lot of criticism and challenges and you must move forward despite that – and that is far from easy.

However, when I look back and see the hard work our team has put in and what we have built, and I know the end product will be used to improve our client’s day-to-day operations, I feel rewarded. Customers depend on our digital platform to ensure their businesses continue to operate.”

After exploring NIRIX’s solutions from 2011-2020 and now the latest product offering in 2021, many people are surprised to learn NIRIX is local to Edmonton.

Hsu smiles, “We opened and grew right here in the capital city. We are local. We are 100 per cent Canadian. We are a small business doing very big things.”

“Industries across the board are changing rapidly due to technology, due to innovation, due to how people’s behaviour has changed,” he continues.

“No matter the industry it is important for businesses to be early adopters of technology and be willing to take calculated risks to be at the leading edge.

Here in Edmonton, things are very vibrant and there are aspects of the city and province that are, from a tech standpoint, growing and changing. Over the next decade in terms of the young workforce coming out, we are looking for newer ways of working, new ways to improve things, and a diversification from such a heavy reliance on oil and gas.”

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Congratulations Nirix on 20 years!

Congratulations Nirix on 20 years!

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NIRIX • 20 YEARS • 3

THE Y2K PANIC Y2K is the stylised version of “the year 2000,” and a time when there was widespread hysteria about the fate of computer technology. Most programs at the time only had digits that went up to 99 in year format.

The thought that date would roll over to 00 brought about a panic in fear of a global technology crash. Although the fears were completely unfounded, the impact around the world was huge. Gartner, a research firm, estimated a cost between $300-$600 billion to fix the Y2K bug on a global scale. General Motors alone stated their costs would exceed $550 million. The U.S. government passed the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act to prepare for the impending disaster.

To build and launch a new technology company at a time when consumer confidence was at an all time low took a lot of vision, grit, and determination – things coded into NIRIX’s operations from day one.

As the changes continue, NIRIX will be right there, ahead of the times, with the solutions that will keep business moving forward into whatever the future holds.

Hsu knows it is not just technology that is important to keep communities going.

Giving back matters too. NIRIX is socially conscious, community minded, and is a supporter of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

In recognition of its progressive vision and products, NIRIX is pleased to have been recognized as a Technology Fast 50™ company, a program that celebrates Canadian technology and the entrepreneurs behind the products.

As pleased as he is with industry recognitions, Hsu is even happier to acknowledge his team, clients, vendors, supporters, and the business advisory group that he calls “a big part of the NIRIX family.”

From the early adoption of the cloud to the ahead-of-its-time development of oneWorkspace, NIRIX is a local, Canadian IT solution provider for business’ IT needs.

Hsu and his company plan to promote oneWorkspace and enjoy the exciting product rollout while migrating and training clients on the platform.

“We also have plans to be more actively engaged on social media and have plans to drive substantial growth and adoption with transformation of NIRIX and the launch of oneWorkspace, our next generation digital workspace platform for business,” Hsu confirms.

As always, everyone at NIRIX will be thinking about the future – the future of tech, the future of business, the future of how we work, the future of WFH, and how NIRIX can provide the tools to keep enterprising companies ahead of each evolution.

101-14020 128 Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T5L 4M8 Phone: 780-414-1556 • Fax: 780-800-6951 www.nirix.com @nirixinc on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube; and @NIRIX on LinkedIn. NIRIX • 20 YEARS • 4

Building

Steve Yakimovich. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

THE CITY’S FUTURE THROUGH BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. Celebrates 15+ years

By Nerissa McNaughton

T

ri-Tec Project Management Inc. provides management, design/build, construction and tenant improvement services to ensure their clients can achieve their objectives on time and on budget.

The company was founded in 2004 by Rick Yakimovich, Gary Kallis, and Bruce Marr.

“The original founders worked for a local company doing work on the construction side,” says Steve

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. | Celebrating 17 years 59

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Congratulations

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on 15 years!

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Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on 15 years!

Yakimovich, principal. “In 2004 they decided to start Tri-Tec since they knew a lot of potential clients in the downtown core. In the beginning Tri-Tec secured most of its work with Oxford Properties Group, and later diversified to work with school boards and other property groups.”

Yakimovich, an electrician by trade, joined the family business in 2012. At that time Marr was retiring. Yakimovich purchased his shares, which enabled him to enjoy working alongside his father.

Kallis retired from the company in 2016.

“Working with dad was very special,” smiles Yakimovich. “We had an excellent rapport.”

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Congratulations to Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on 15 years!

10362-59 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6H 1E6 Ph: 780-448-1624 • www.protintinc.ca

He says of the company, “We are family owned and operated. We stand behind our work and our service. It really comes down to being there from start to finish. We understand that clients can feel some ambiguity about contractors, but we have never walked away from a project. We see it through from start to finish, from design to build.

We come to the table focused on solutions. We pride ourselves on our communication and provide updates before the client asks.”

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. | Celebrating 17 years | 2

In addition to being client focused, Tri-Tec is equally dedicated to its trade partners and staff.

“We take our responsibility to work well with them and pay our trade partners quickly,” confirms Yakimovich. “For everyone we deal with, we aim to be approachable. This is important. My door is always open. The project manager and estimator come directly to me for quick decisions. Our site supervisors in the field pride themselves on quality. Whether it’s a $5M new build or a $10K upgrade to a home kitchen, each project gets the same high attention to detail. We stand behind our service. With a one year warranty, if someone calls on day 366, we are there.

We don’t just do projects; Tri-Tec builds relationships.”

Tri-Tec has been pleased to work on a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional projects, including renovating the second floor of the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) building, working on Commerce Place for the Government of Alberta, and giving a new look to Supreme Capital’s headquarters on the city’s west side.

“The Edmonton Construction Association job is very memorable for me,” Yakimovich says. “In addition to it being a complicated job with many moving parts and completing work safely and on time while keeping the building operational for ECA’s staff, a big part of the project was a 30+ year old table. You don’t get boardroom tables like that anymore! It was a huge, three piece, solid wood table that was original to the company. Part of the job was refinishing it to a modern look without losing any of the charm. We had to transport it, modify it, and return it. Now it will spend another 30 or more years there being part of history.”

Another vital part of Tri-Tec’s history is from one of its founders.

“My father passed in 2019,” says Yakimovich.

“Losing him was a big blow to me personally and to the company. When we have a successful project or year, I look at his photo and I’m very happy to learn what I did from him. He is still here with me in one way but it’s hard that he’s not here physically. He was a very big part of the company and where we are today. I remember he always had a way about him that motivated people. He wouldn’t scream and yell. He was like everyone’s dad. What he created remains an important part of the company today.”

Tri-Tec is passionate about giving back to the Edmonton community by supporting local causes, and is equally adept at supporting the industry, even when it’s about supporting a competitor.

Steve Yakimovich. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

Yakimovich explains, “Recently we lost a bid and the difference was very close. I reached out to the competitor and congratulated them. It’s important to have a culture in which we are all doing our best. We are a community and we truly are all in this together.”

The Tri-Tec team is excited about the future.

Yakimovich’s wife, Monique, and his brother in law, Jim, are already on board. His sister, Tracy, is

Proud to be a Partner.

Congratulations to Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on 15 YEARS of Business Success!

10766-180 Street Edmonton, Ab. T5S 2S4 780-489-5674

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. | Celebrating 17 years | 3

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Congratulations

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on 15 years!

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Congratulations Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on your 15th Anniversary!

16832 110 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5P 1G9 Phone: 780-413-7578 • perfectionpowdercoatings.ca

Congratulations Steve, we have enjoyed many years collaborating on projects together and look forward to many more.

16004 – 121A Avenue Edmonton, AB T5V 1B2 780-454-9134 • haywardglass.ca

Congratulations

Edmonton Construction Association 2nd Floor Renovation.

joining the family business. His mother, June, who is a shareholder, is also vital to the operations as she cares for and provides mentorship and support to the team and family. Ann Stainthorp, office manager, who was with Tri-Tec since 2006 and was integral to the growth and development of the company. Stainthorp’s son, Dallas, has stepped in as well, making this a truly next generation company.

Yakimovich thanks his supportive family, clients, vendors, team, and trade partners for helping to enable the company’s success. He also thanks his outgoing office manager for her years of dedicated service.

Yakimovich concludes, “There are challenges, but we are just going to keep doing what we do. We stay positive, we stay safe, and we focus on building relationships.”

Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. on your 15th Anniversary!

780-965-7488 terrina@terrinainteriors.com

13181-156 street Edmonton, Alberta T5V 1V2 Ph:780-421-0333 • Fx:780-421-0360

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Tri-Tec Project Management Inc. | Celebrating 17 years | 4

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