Gerald Lutz (general manager and at Canessco 41 years), Mark Fairbridg (owner), Michele Gagnier (owner), Nathan Gagnier (operations manager) and Lorelei Christensen (accounts receivable).
Canessco Services Inc.: The W Original Trouble Shootin’ Guys
By Nerissa McNaughton
ho are you really going to call when there’s trouble down below? The company that is celebrating nearly 65 years of service.
“When you go to someone’s house or a business and they are having a sewer backup, they are always happy to see you because we are there to get them out of trouble. They are excited to see us and even happier to see us leave!” laughs Nathan Gagnier, whose sense of humor is just one of the reasons he excels as the operations manager and safety coordinator of Canessco Services Inc. He’s got plenty of reasons to smile. The family owned and operated company is edging up on their 65th anniversary.
Canessco launched in 1952. Gagnier’s grandfather bought the company in 1974, when the technology for sewer line inspections and grease trap cleaning was a little more, shall we say, hands on. Today, both Gagnier and the company president, Mark Fairbridge, are happy to use upgraded technology that has them keeping Edmonton’s plumbing systems clean and free flowing.
Canessco Services Inc. | 65 Years | 1
“Our job, while not a pretty one, is integral to the upkeep of the City of Edmonton, its businesses, and homeowners,” smiles Fairbridge. He’s been with Canessco for over 40 years, working part time in 1974 and transitioning to full time after graduation. He muses over the things that have changed – and the things that never will. “Technology and equipment are the biggest changes over the years, but we have a person here, Gerald, that my dad hired in 1974 when he took over the company. Gerald is still here! Another employee has been here for 20 years. That speaks volumes to what kind of operation we run.”
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