STRENGTH IN LUMBERS

Why choose Composite Decking?

The Solid Core Difference™

We offer the only composite boards in the industry that can be installed on the ground, in the ground or underwater without any structural performance issues. At the foundation of every board is our proprietary Solid Core — an impermeable barrier that fights damage from moisture, rot, insects and other harmful elements. Our core maintains its integrity even after ripping and cutting, mitigating warranty issues and longterm damage. The result is a long lasting, low maintenance decking material specially engineered to last for years to come.

Vision — Bold. Refined. Infinite. It’s time to step up to the future of composite decking. MoistureShield Vision, our strongest capped wood composite board, is protected with our exclusive DiamondDefense™ coating to exude distinctive style while resisting scratches, stains, and damage on impact. Our Vision deck boards are available in beautiful color options and textures that reflect the look of real hardwood while ensuring unmatched performance features designed to last a lifetime.

Solid Core Zero Field Failures DiamondDefense™ Coating CoolDeck® Technology Slip Resistance

Vantage — Versatile. Durable. Dependable. Decking gets an upgrade with an uncapped composite decking board that works better than pressure-treated lumber. When it comes to creating custom artisan decks, there’s no material that cuts, rips or bends better while still maintaining its integrity. That’s because our Solid Core runs through the entire Vantage deck board to ensure protection without a cap. As a result, there’s no need for painting, staining and yearly repairs with this beautiful decking option that’s resistant to moisture, rot, and warping.

Solid Core Zero Field Failures Works Like Real Wood Reversible Boards Self-healing

Adult & Teen Challenge Superthrift The expanded location to the Pembina Valley has brought about an increased success rate, while the thrift store offers a job opportunity and serves as a For twenty years, Steve Cheboyer had his life run by bridge to better re-enter everyday life. Working in crystal meth and alcohol, which pushed him to enter a supportive and understanding environment helps the world of dealing drugs on the streets of Winkler. graduates grow their life skills such as punctuality, A few years ago he found himself at Adult and Teen money management, working skills and overall Challenge, a program which brought lasting change and responsibility. Combined with the continued freedom into his life. presence of accountability, the transition into being a contributing member of society is much smoother. “I Steve’s story is like many who have gone through the just got my first bank account last year” said Steve, who program after hitting rock bottom, only to be given a at thirty six years old has never had a regular job until second chance at life and hope for the future. “They now. give you the tools to succeed” he said, giving credit to the faith centered approach that combines scriptural The store also generates funds for the local programs truths along with practical steps to become free of which are now running in Winkler, with all generated addiction. profit from the store staying in the community. Superthrift is able to operate through donations Steve has now graduated from the program and such as clothes, furniture, dishes and more, and ask is currently the assistant manager of Superthrift, that those looking to donate their used items would alongside manager Nettie Harder. Superthrift is a thrift consider Superthrift in their decision. Superthrift offers store in Winkler run by Adult and Teen Challenge and free pickup for donated items, including old vehicles, is an extension of the local program. With a growing regardless on if they are operational. Volunteers are also number of participants coming from the Pembina welcome, and those looking to get involved are invited Valley, there was a need to have a program available to pick up an application form in person or fill one out here in Winkler, to keep people close to home. “Having online at superthriftpembinavalley.com.a program here helps people stay in the program” said Nettie as she explained how much more difficult it is to The team at Superthrift is incredibly grateful for the stay committed to recovery if you must leave behind support of the community and want to offer themselves your family behind and move to Winnipeg. to anyone who needs someone to talk to, ask questions or wants to get involved with Adult and Teen Challenge. They are located at 390 1st street in Winkler.

Building Capital Campaign

Adult and Teen Challenge of the Pembina Valley is looking to buy a home in Winkler. After expanding to the area in 2016, the ministry has now grown into a network of local board members, volunteers, staff, graduates and patrons. Currently the programs are spread out over multiple locations which have made operation more difficult, and have caused financial strain with the multiple rent payments. The vision is to bring all of the existing ministries and programs under one roof to make better use of resources and have a bigger impact on individuals and families in need for years to come. These local programs and ministries consist of the following: Concerned Persons Group • A training and educational program for family members and loved ones of someone who struggles with a life controlling problem • Available in both English and Low German • Mens and Womens lifeline and Support Group • One on One Mentorship Program • Community Service Program • In connection with the local judicial system, offenders who are of a good fit would be able to work off Community Service hours within the Adult and Teen Challenge program • Preventative School Outreach Presentations • Superthrift Store

The benefits of this building would be immense, as it would allow for a self-sustaining model to be introduced and would eliminate an annual $10,000 spent on renting three separate buildings. The building would provide a home for those in the program, as well as ministry offices, a chapel and the Superthrift store. For those looking to get involved, donate or get more information, you can contact members of the Local Planning Committee.

ELECTRIC HISTORY

Few names are as synonymous with Winkler businesses as D.A. Loewen Electric, a company that has helped shape the very landscape of the Pembina Valley. As Winkler’s first electrical contracting company, D.A. Loewen Electric has worked hard to help guide the once small village through its many stages of growth over the last seventy-two years.

187 6th Street

1952 Dodge work truck also used as an ambulance

Circa 1952 Harv, Marv, Carolyn & Friend

At first glance, this story has all the makings of a feel-good account. A young family man starts a business, only to lose everything in a fire. He commits to starting over, and creates a thriving business which he could later pass on to his sons.

With emphasis on hard work, determination and integrity, it’s a lesson for all aspiring business owners. More recently, however, there has been another side to the story. The latest narrative to emerge has instead forced them to wrestle with phenomenal tragedy and journey through overwhelming trials. A testing that would demand everything from them in order to survive.

Donald Albert Loewen first came to Winkler in 1947. He traveled to the area from Winnipeg to wire the Bergthaler church for Redekop Electric. After working and spending time in the area he realized that Winkler was a great place to raise a family and decided to stay. During this period D.A saw that the Manitoba Hydro Rural Electrification program would change life in the Pembina Valley and he wanted to take part in it.

With this surge in demand for electrical work he solicited help from

Isaac Krahn and later partnered with him to form Stanley Electric. They rented a building on Main Street where D.A. also lived and raised his family. It was not uncommon during this boom in expansion that D.A. and Isaac would work 100 hours each week to keep up with increasing demand.

With no competitors in the area, the company did well, and provided their electrical services for every building in the area at that time. However, the honeymoon stage was over quickly. It was only two years later that the partners found their shop burned to the ground. The loss was too great to keep the business intact, leaving the partners to go their separate ways. D.A. Loewen took the loss in stride and was determined to start again, transforming his home on 6th Street to suit his new business’ needs. He converted the basement into the necessary warehouse space, and hired farmers as part-time help; a consistent worker being Manfred Enns. Once Loewen outgrew the basement, he set up shop in his garage, before eventually building a warehouse in his back yard to keep up with demand. Along with doing the electrical work for companies such as Triple E RV, Kroeker Farms and Nu-Steel, other significant jobs at the time were the Heritage Apartments and the Winkler Arena. In 1966, a partnership formed between Loewen and Enns, forming Enns & Loewen Electric & Insurance, taking over Wawanesa Insurance from

Manfred’s father-in-law. They bought a vacant lot on Fourth Street and built a store and warehouse to house the increased activity.

In 1975, D.A. Loewen’s sons Marv and Harv would take a majority of the ownership, with the insurance portion breaking off as its own company, Enns & Loewen Insurance Agency. It was in at this time that Marv and Harv incorporated the company to become what it is known as today, D. A. Loewen Electric. D.A. Loewen and Manfred Enns would finally retire in 1982. Soon after, a surge of growth started in Winkler, and D.A. Loewen Electric was hired to help construct numerous potato storages, Lode King, Convey-All, Keystone Grain, Mennonite Brethren Church, Grace Church and many other well known buildings in the Pembina Valley.

Marv and Harv hired Gary Berg in 1981, entering the workforce out of high school. Even at a young age, Gary was a natural leader with unparalleled work ethic, and would become a big part of pushing the company forward. His younger brother Darrel joined him seven years later, and together they quickly rose through the ranks of the business. The brothers were constantly looking for a way to better themselves and their craft, both holding to the belief that if you are not moving forward, you are going backwards. When the first opportunities to work on electrical automation appeared, Marv and Harv saw the potential and knew Gary and Darrel were up for the challenge.

The biggest lesson they received came in 1995 with the expansion of the Saputo plant in Winkler and taking over the electrical and automation work at Monarch Industries. “It was a baptism by fire” recalled Darrel, remembering his earlier days of learning what it took to constantly solve the problems that came with automating a factory. “It was not a regular nine to five; you can’t leave unless it’s working.” This ability to adapt, learn and grow allowed D.A. Loewen Electric to show the community the extensive benefits of custom automation and the efficiency that came with it. D.A. Loewen Electric had become a forerunner in the electrical world, and this new option helped to further the industrial boom, as many others asked for these same services. “The most enjoyment always came from large, automated jobs in big industry and agriculture” said Darrel. As the company continued to grow, Marv and Harv made the decision to move the business to 249 Manitoba Road, their current location.

After eighteen years of working with each other, Gary and Darrel decided to take the jump of becoming owners. In 2006 they bought half of D.A. Loewen from Marv and Harv, and bought the remaining half three years later. Darrel took on the financials, running service calls while still overseeing jobs in the field, while Gary took on quoting, overseeing jobs and job planning. With such ambitious leaders, the company continued to grow, making it hard to keep up at some points. “Gary pushed the company to grow as fast as it could” said Darrel, “he was aggressive and competitive to the point that few could actually keep up with him.” However, this was only one side of who he was. Amongst the busyness of his work, Gary always made time for people, especially his wife Tammy, and their three sons, Kyle, Eric and Sean. Gary and Tammy were parental figures and friends to many outside their own family, as employees and people in the community took note of their selflessness, loyalty and listening ears. “The whole business took on the feeling of family” said Darrel “it was a place where everyone knew each other and real conversations about life could happen.” Gary was well known for his words of wisdom, often sharing life proverbs and one-liners to fit any situation.

What seemed like the perfect situation quickly became an inescapable nightmare when tragedy struck. While out for a motorcycle ride one September evening, Gary and Tammy were struck by an oncoming vehicle near Plum Coulee. Neither of them survived. Now almost three years later, the far-reaching impact of that event is still felt. “It was the year from hell” said Darrel when asked to describe what happened following the accident. The pain was overwhelming, nothing that Darrel, or anyone at D.A. Loewen Electric had experienced before. Chris Loewen remembered showing up to work in pure survival mode, working strictly off instinct to do what was needed to keep the business running. “It was hard to see Darrel in that state, learning about his business partner and best friend’s death, while still having to field important business calls.” D.A. Loewen Electric had been struck by a powerful blow that would continue to inflict its damage on the company. A few days after the funeral, the office was overcome by a vicious computer virus that wiped out Gary’s computer, as well as several others. Plans, emails, quotes and financial information for the coming months had vanished. To make things more difficult, it happened during potato harvest, the company’s busiest time of year servicing harvest equipment. “We would literally have to phone our potential clients and ask them if we had gotten certain jobs” said Chris, “and if we did, what was the quote that we gave you.” It would take weeks to get all the information back, a time of fighting just to survive.

In the midst of this nightmare, support would come in from all over the community, as friends, business owners and consistent customers would periodically drop by to check up on the team. “We could feel that the community wanted us to succeed” said Devin Rachul, as the human element to the business relationships was on full display at this time. Where Darrel and the team were so used to being the ones serving their clients, it was now they who needed to receive help, comfort and even guidance on how to move forward. Chris and Devin were long term employees that stepped up into the office to help fill the gaping hole that Gary had left. “We didn’t know anything about what they did in the office but we had to figure it out” said Chris, a grandson to D.A. Loewen and a presence around the company ever since he was a kid. Devin was hired by Marv and Harv in 2001 and grew to become an essential part of D. A. Loewen Electric’s automation and agriculture services. The transition was slow, trial and error were the main way forward into figuring out a new management system that worked.

While the reset was hard, it prompted everyone to step up and take on more leadership. Darrel admits that raising up new leaders had growing pains but concluded that the new system is stronger than ever, and the new three-person ownership group has been working well. “What we are doing now allows us to breathe, to act like normal human beings.” Even before the accident, the company was running at its fullest capacity, with a tentative transition plan already being worked on. Gary’s passing would expedite this planning out of necessity. Darrel says that looking back, he would have brought Chris into the office much sooner and that the experience has really shown him the valuable people they have on their team.

With Devin taking over the automation work, he has taken this area to a whole new level. While Gary and Tammy will always be deeply missed, the D. A. Loewen Electric family is stronger than ever. Not from anything they did, but because of God carrying them through the storm and their great friends – many happen to be their customers - who have been there for them. The lessons learned and the transition everyone went through only further cemented what the business had valued all along, which is relationships over profit. Helping people in need is what’s most important, a philosophy that has set them up to give back to the people and community who they loved and serviced for generations, and plan to continue to serve for generations to come. Chris Loewen

Devin Rachul