Jim Dent Construction

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS

S TA R TTO - F I N I S H SOLUTIONS Industry leader, Jim Dent Construction, provides innovative solutions for complex builds in the most challenging conditions across British Columbia. The company’s executive team outlines its recent achievements and hopes for the future amidst a changing industry Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Michael Sommerfield

A

s a heavy civil construction company historically specializing in hydroelectric power generation projects, Jim Dent Construction (DENT) is no stranger to success.

Working in often challenging terrains across British Columbia (BC), DENT has recently utilized its unrivaled expertise and years of experience to diversify - expanding its suite of capabilities to include mining, oil and gas, clearing and logging, power, traffic control, and infrastructure.

“We’ve been able to diversify our services by expanding and have, in turn, diversified our client base,” opens Jeremy Knoke, CFO at DENT. Since 2019, four major energy megaprojects – the Site C dam, the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, LNG Canada, and the Coastal GasLink pipeline – have been under construction, boosting BC’s economy with thousands of jobs and billions spent on procurement and wages.

2 | North America Outlook Issue 22

JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

North America Outlook Issue 22 | 3

DENT’s involvement in these projects is notable, and as they draw to a close five years on, the company’s provision of equipment, labor, expertise, and forward-thinking solutions has not gone unnoticed.

“There was a period of time when DENT was working on all four megaprojects simultaneously which, for a small, local construction company, is really quite remarkable,” enthuses President, Sandy Dent.

Within an increasingly competitive construction market, and having faced industry-wide labor shortages of late, DENT’s unwavering commitment to onboarding quality personnel and securing a high turnover of projects has worked to ensure its continued success.

“Our home is BC and the Yukon.

Due to the megaprojects winding down BC, there appears to be an abundance of available labor and lots of work in the pipeline, which we readily anticipate,” he adds.

4 | North America Outlook Issue 22

A CHANGING INDUSTRY In recent years, as BC continues to reel from a recent boom in the construction industry, DENT understands what that means for its projects and the path ahead.

“Having been fortunate to be a part of

the ongoing megaprojects over the past five years, they are now nearing completion,” Jeremy outlines.

“What we see in the next five years is a shift from a handful of major projects into having a higher volume of smaller jobs as we witness changes

JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

in the industry,” Jared Neumann, COO, elaborates.

As DENT’s involvement in BC’s megaprojects inevitably comes to an end, project variation is important for the company. A historical interest in a wide and varied range of industries will aid DENT’s diversification efforts.

“We’re going to ramp up our activities in mining, oil and gas, forestry, and BC Hydro. Resilience will be key going forward,” Jared adds.

Assisted by an influx of modern technologies, the company has benefited from a recent push towards increased electrification within the sector.

“Having an ongoing involvement in electricity generation and hydroelectric power - which has been a niche of ours historically - puts DENT in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities arising from an increasingly electrified world,” Jeremy comments.

As a company with instinctive industry knowledge, guided by advantageous business opportunities and developments, DENT is wellplaced to adapt to widespread industry change.

“We embrace change and adapt alongside people, markets, and the industry as a whole. We’re not stuck in our old-school construction ways – we’re changing with today’s technologies,” Sandy shares.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD In a saturated industry, businesses often struggle to stand out. The same cannot be said for DENT, however, whose robust stakeholders, rights, and titleholder relationships set it apart from the competition.

“Our strong focus on building longterm relationships with everybody we do business with – not just our clients, but our subcontractors, suppliers, and

employees – really helps us stand out,” Jeremy outlines.

Additionally, a strong company culture and an underlying sense of ‘family’ have helped DENT cultivate a reputation for excellence and inclusivity over the years.

“As a second-generation business owner, and with potential for a third generation through my two sons, we run the business as a family in partnership with our long-term employees,” Sandy comments.

“DENT’s long-term, loyal, and dedicated workforce makes our success possible. We would be nothing without them,” Ryan McDougall, Vice President of Operations, adds.

As the years roll by and it anticipates an evolving workforce, DENT is confident that its deeprooted cultural values of ‘family’ and ‘team’ will remain within the company for years to come.

“OUR STRONG FOCUS ON BUILDING LONGT E R M R E L AT I O N S H I P S W I T H E V E R Y B O D Y W E D O B U S I N E SS W I T H - N OT J U ST O U R C L I E N TS , B U T O U R S U B CO N T R AC TO R S , S U P P L I E R S , A N D E M P L O Y E E S - R E A L LY H E L P S U S S TA N D O U T ” – JEREMY KNOKE, CFO, JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SAFETY IS OUR #1 FOCUS Across every facet of the company, Domcor Health, Safety & Security Inc. (Domcor) is all about service, a quality that can only be built on a foundation of experience, knowledge, and practice.

Domcor’s roots are in security and, as leading security experts, the company saw a need for a quality, comprehensive training program for security, rescue, and traffic control personnel.

By utilising its own in-house experts, all leaders in their fields, to develop and offer one of the most relevant, consistently exceptional training companies in the industry, Domcor is now one of the recognized leaders in security and offers comprehensive expertise.

A HISTORY OF EXCELENCE Domcor was founded in 1999, by Peter Corrado to meet the needs of a diverse client base. At present, the company focuses its attention on two separate but related areas of business: providing high quality and dependable services and training.

Furthermore, Domcor develops client and industry-specific training programs for its clients and offers unrivalled, trustworthy traffic control services and first aid services. Domcor also provides dependable security services to businesses in the private and public sector including its government contracts.

Since its inception, Domcor has built a team

of professionally trained personnel, supported by state-of-the-art equipment. The company’s ability to zero in on its clients’ needs, then deliver meaningful, effective training programs is what sets it apart.

Because Domcor uses the best trainers who are backed with industry experience, clients can be assured that the company’s own health, safety and security staff is well-trained, effective, and knowledgeable in each of their respective positions.

Today, Domcor provides a broad range of services which include health and safety professionals; security guards; first aid and ambulance services (including patient transfers); private investigators; surveillance; asset management; alarm, CCTV and access design; installation, service and monitoring; and traffic

control services.

Domcor also provides a wide range of industrial training ranging from confined space rescue to fall arrest. The company also takes immense pride in working in harmony with other agencies such as the RCMP, fire departments, BC Hydro, B.C. Forestry, Department of Fisheries, and Environment Canada.

As such, Domcor’s reputation is proven over and over by its successful participation in high profile, sensitive projects involving integrated management systems. These projects are large in scope and require considerable preplanning before implementation. Additionally, clients appreciate Domcor’s emphasis in providing timely and accurate information through briefing presentations and regularly scheduled written reports.

Elsewhere, Domcor’s management systems, standards, and guidelines provide its clients with first-class service that respects safety, quality, scheduling demands, and budgets.

Determined to do things differently, through solid leadership, experience gained from working with clients in long-term partnerships, industry experience, and fiscal responsibility, the company has amassed a proven track record of providing outstanding service to its many clients.

DOMCOR MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES MISSION As a premier private security provider, Domcor will develop and implement innovative and cost-effective client specific solutions to address the needs of a diverse customer base across Canada, in an effective, professional and responsible manner.

Domcor proudly provides exceptional traffic control services across British Columbia, with the capability to provide expertise across Canada, offering a full range of traffic control services. The company’s traffic control specialists are trained in multi-faceted flagging requirements, to meet customized client needs, and all supervisors have completed specialized Supervisor Responsibility for Safety training which is focused on the responsibilities surrounding traffic control.

DOMCOR VISION • A security provider that has a level of customer satisfaction unmatched by any of its competitors.

• A company that utilizes “best in class” practices and procedures.

• An employer that recognizes the

• • • •

contributions of all of its employees as critical to its success.

An organization built on trust, integrity, and long-term relationships.

A workplace that is a source of pride for employees.

A responsible member of the community.

A profitable organization providing long term, secure employment opportunities for a stable workforce.

DOMCOR VALUES • The company is committed to continually exceed its customer expectations in everything it does.

• The personal health and safety of all employees is Domcor’s first priority.

• The commitment and knowledge of Domcor’s employees is key to the success

• • • •

of its business and the company will provide opportunities for continuous learning and personal development.

To remain a company that operates on the basis of honesty, integrity, and protects the individual dignity of its employees.

Teamwork is a basic tenet of all aspects of the business.

Domcor values, respects and protects the environment in which it operates.

Positive long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, communities, and government institutions play a key role in Domcor’s ultimate success.

Phone: 250-286-3163 Toll Free: 1-888-636-6267 domcortraffic.ca

JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

INDIGENOUS COLLABORATION For more than 40 years, DENT has actively engaged with Indigenous groups, resulting in a celebrated history of collaboration, partnership, and inclusion. The company’s leadership team continues to demonstrate a desire to progress reconciliation in action.

DENT recognizes the diversity of the Indigenous people who live in the areas it works and acknowledges the importance of truth and reconciliation between Indigenous communities and broader society.

Committed to respectful engagement with Indigenous communities, the company endeavors to build long-term, impactful relationships. DENT has proudly partnered with several Indigenous communities throughout BC to cultivate relationships, share information, and build capacity.

Relationships are fostered with Indigenous people and communities based on transparency, honesty, and integrity. The company pursues sustainable and valuable ways to contribute to the well-being of the communities in proximity to its project areas.

Four key areas of focus guide DENT’s collaboration with Indigenous communities: • Relationships • Accountability • Transparency • Partnering

10 | North America Outlook Issue 22

“We pride ourselves on the culture at our job sites. We have long-serving employees who have been with DENT for between 10 and 30 years that are steering the ship for future workers and handing down a culture of inclusivity,” Jared surmises.

A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE On 28th November 2024, DENT will celebrate its 50th year of success, innovation, and strong working partnerships.

Having commenced its operations as a small building contractor in 1974, DENT’s early days of construction laid the groundwork for the company to become a household name within the industry, supported by a strong workforce.

“Since my father started the company all those years ago, we’ve grown exponentially, and it’s the people, our workforce, who have made DENT a success. We are not just one individual; we’re a team, a family,”

Sandy emphasizes.

Today, the company’s staff remain resilient problem solvers, and thrive on projects that take the company further afield and present unique and exciting challenges.

“At DENT, we do very technical work in remote locations and rough terrain. Our successful navigation of high-risk projects in harsh environments over the past half a century is certainly something to celebrate,” exemplifies Jeremy.

Further to this, in a fast-paced and competitive industry that is subject to constant change, 50 years of successful operation can be considered a milestone achievement.

“We’ve faced challenges since we were founded, and the construction industry is constantly evolving. The future may look a lot different to years past, so this is an opportunity for us to reflect on the good, learn from the bad, and make a plan going forward,” he adds.

“ I T ’ S T H E P E O P L E , O U R W O R K F O R C E , W H O H AV E M A D E D E N T A S U CC E SS . W E A R E N OT J U ST O N E I N D I V I D U A L ; W E ’ R E A T E A M , A FA M I LY ” – S A N D Y D E N T, P R E S I D E N T, J I M D E N T C O N S T R U C T I O N

North America Outlook Issue 22 | 11

DENT – AT A GLANCE • Environment – DENT follows an environmentally conscious approach to its projects to ensure that it is compliant and operates well within environmental laws. To achieve this, the company uses environmental monitors and subject matter experts in the preparation and execution of its work. DENT also works to minimize its impact on the planet through the implementation of environmental protection plans, which are updated as conditions change. DENT’s team of experts work together with local communities to ensure its projects consider environmental and social impacts and lower their effects.

• Health and safety – As a BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) COR® certified company, DENT has demonstrated safe working practices and systems that meet industry standards to reduce risk. In addition, DENT’s safety programs are designed to identify the requirements of each worker and support their ongoing training and development to keep them safe whilst working on-site. To supplement this, ongoing training and development keep DENT’s crews up-to-date with current industry standards, whilst the use of online platforms deliver and monitor training, and capture statistics for reporting and meeting regulatory requirements.

• Quality – DENT is committed to providing quality services that meet or exceed the requirements of the owners and those of other project rights and stakeholders. It is also committed to remaining compliant with applicable legal and statutory requirements. The company continually reviews and improves its quality processes to address ongoing changes within the business.

12 | North America Outlook Issue 22

JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Congratulations Jim Dent Construction on your 50th Anniversary 1 877 GO WAJAX

“To have 50 successful years in this industry demonstrates DENT’s adaptability, resilience, and dedication,” Ryan summarizes.

LOOKING AHEAD Following two consecutive years of record revenue growth, the company certainly has a bright future ahead.

However, the team is putting effort into consciously controlling business growth, especially as the construction environment changes and major projects draw to a close.

“Our general goal is steady, controlled growth. We’re focusing on strengthening our business processes and our teams to allow us to achieve that growth sustainably, whilst continuously updating our management style,” comments Jeremy.

In addition, DENT’s progressive take on company growth and expansion has historically allowed it to be guided by advantageous trends in the wider construction market.

“As a general rule, we try to avoid traditional growth targets. Instead, we expand when the opportunities are there and for the right projects with a view that it needs to be measured and mindful growth,” explains Sandy.

In terms of expansion, DENT is constantly on the lookout for development and diversification opportunities to safeguard the company’s continued relevance within a growing industry.

“We’re always looking to diversify to ensure we can traverse the ebbs and flows within the industry.

Diversifying allows us to maintain our competitive edge,” concludes Ryan.

Tel: 604-869-5703 info@jimdent.com

jimdentconstruction.com

North America Outlook Issue 22 | 13

JIM DENT CONSTRUCTION Tel: 604-869-5703 info@jimdent.com https://jimdentconstruction.com/

PRODUCED BY NORTH AMERICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE