Getting it Done in Millhaven All Part of the Mark Lewis Magic Show

UNSUNG HEROS: Getting it Done in Millhaven All Part of the Mark Lewis Magic Show

A lot of companies have a guy like Mark Lewis on their team, but only one company has Mark Lewis. As operations manager for Green Infrastructure Partners (GIP) at the Millhaven Terminal near Kingston, Lewis runs one of the largest asphalt cement terminals in the country — no easy task, but one that he has taken on with both skill and energy as he has helped to lead the business through unprecedented growth and innovation.

“Sometimes I call it the Mark Lewis magic show,” says Steven Manolis, Executive Vice President, GIP Materials Engineering. “The reality is that the high level of execution results from meticulous planning, a profound knowledge of the operation, and time invested into building a high calibre operations team. Mark gets it done because he knows how to do it and has imparted the same can-do attitude in the crack team of employees at the terminal.”

With a background working in chemicals, Lewis started at the company 20 years ago as a technical supervisor when it was still under the Lafarge banner. As Lafarge became Coco Paving in 2008, Lewis transitioned into the role of operations manager where he has overseen all aspects of the terminal. It’s a position he has enjoyed since the beginning, albeit one that has experienced many changes including the most recent when the company became GIP. Lewis has skilfully navigated the operation through periods of expansion to get it to the highcapacity facility that it is today.

“The business is much more complicated today than it was two decades ago,” says Lewis. “With the rise in polymermodified asphalt cement demand, we operate much more of a manufacturing plant than a terminal with very rigorous quality requirements. Our focus is on the customer, to supply the required products on time each and every day. We even added our own fleet of asphalt cement tankers to help us coordinate delivery logistics.”

Manolis says that Lewis thrives in his work atmosphere which is both very busy and complicated and presents many challenges. He says his colleague has built an impressive team that “makes it happen” every day.

“There can be a heavy supply schedule in front of him and he has to figure out how to do it and he always does,” Manolis says. “And he always manages to get it done. He’s reliable, and he does it with a positive attitude. He’s a good mentor for the people at the terminal and an all-round respected guy. Everybody at the company and the customers respect him.”

With operations catering to the needs of the customer, Manolis says the “magic” that Lewis performs is done on a regular basis with each challenge presenting unique solutions. “It’s not unusual for a late order to come in, let’s say on a Friday afternoon,” Manolis explains. “And we’re thinking ‘how can we get this done.’ That’s when Mark will think about it then call me back and say ‘if we do this and move that around we can make it work.’ And Mark always makes it work.”

Lewis explains that responding to customer needs is what motivates him and he understands how important it is for GIP to satisfy its customers. He says he and the staff can change directions quickly to make sure the customers get what is needed or have a problem solved. “That’s how we have been successful growing, by helping the customer,” Lewis says.

In the days ahead, Lewis anticipates more challenges which will include spending more time in Mississauga assisting with plant operations there. “GIP is an exciting company. I’m looking forward to the direction we are heading,” Lewis says. “It’s kind of a new era for the company and I am excited to be a part of it.”

By: Steve Pecar, a Mississauga-based writer, editor and designer.