Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/687429
12 | J UNE 2016 Stuart Olson M After more than a century Stuart Olson remains committed to its promise by NATALIE BRUCKNER-MENCHELLI Mention the name Stuart Olson and words such as integrity, transparency, respect and trust come to mind. But describing it as such would fall short of depicting what this Canadian construction and indus- trial services company is all about. Stuart Olson is com- mitted to delivering on its promises; focused on team collaboration and the value of partnership. Today, Stuart Olson is building the future and creating a cul- ture built on a passion to do great things. Yes, its rich history that began back in 1911 when four gentlemen from Vancouver, B.C. decided to set up Dominion Construction (as it was then known) was fundamental to the Stuart Olson we know today; a company focused on community and raising the bar of the industry. But it's the ability to organically evolve through acquisitions and a rapidly changing construc- tion sector that has kept Stuart Olson relevant, innova- tive, competitive, and above all, committed to building lasting partnerships, both internally and externally. "Stuart Olson originally came across from Europe and started off as a cabinet maker. Most of his work was based on referrals; he understood the importance of building relationships and being client focused. Al Olson, Stuart's son, later succeeded his dad as CEO of Stuart Olson in 1969. We have quite a long history with the Olson's. The family has always been heavily involved in the construction sector and established the building blocks of the company of strong values and transparency," says Paul Polson, EVP business devel- opment and community engagement at Stuart Olson, who joined the company back in 2001. Polson is part of today's executive team that con- sists of David LeMay, president and CEO; Daryl E. Sands, EVP and CFO; Joette Decore, EVP corporate strategy and development; Bob Myles, COO, Industrial Group; Arthur Atkinson, COO, Buildings Group; and Al Miller, president and COO, Canem – a team whose back- grounds cross the entire breadth of the sector. You could say that over the past 16 years, however, is when the company went through its major growth spurt – and yet somehow the family feel remains at its heart. In 2010 Churchill Corporation – a Calgary-based firm that had built a solid reputation as one of Western Canada's leading contractors in construction and industrial services – acquired Seacliff Construction Corporation, Dominion Construction's parent com- pany. "Churchill's operating subsidiaries included Stuart Olson Construction Ltd., Insulation Holdings Inc. and Laird Electric Inc.," says Polson. Churchill employed approximately 3,300 people during peak construction. "It was a difficult transition to go through," admits Polson. "Dominion was very differ- ent in its processes and philosophies. It was a hard bid culture, and we wanted to focus on relationships." In July 2010, Stuart Olson Dominion was born and in May 2014, Stuart Olson Inc. as we know it today, was established. Today, Stuart Olson is a $1.2-billion sales organiza- tion representing one of the largest and most respected construction services companies in Canada. Its port- folio includes 11 office locations across Canada and approximately 4,200 employees (82 per cent of full-time Driving Diversity