Employee Profile

Employee Profile
W
hen last we left
Neil Flaman
(Conduit, Summer/
Fall 2006) he was taking care of
business at the Olymel processing plant, where the crew is on
call 24/7. No biggie for Flaman,
who has never shied away from
a hard day’s work -- whether it’s
on or off the job. In fact, when
he’s not on site for Canem, Neil
spends much of his time tending to 60 head of beef cattle on
his 160 acre farm.
(If any of this sounds familiar, that’s because Neil and
Nanaimo employee Walter
Paravicini – profiled in the
last issue of the Conduit – are
remarkably similar. Both men
were born and raised in Alberta,
both come from farming backgrounds, and both have customers who don’t want anyone else
on their projects. As President
Brad Armstrong says, they
could have been separated
at birth. . . but that’s another
story!)
A Foreman with the Red Deer
Division, Flaman has been involved with a variety of projects
during his career with Canem,
and has enjoyed working on all
of them. As he says, he “hasn’t
missed a beat” in 20 years with
the company. That’s because,
President’s message
Brad Armstrong
career planning
R
ecently, one of our foreman asked how the
heck an accountant became President of an
electrical contracting company! It’s a question I’ve been asked before, and it got me thinking
that most Canem employees probably don’t know
what it takes to move up the company ladder into
higher level positions.
We are about to introduce a set of documents and
processes designed to help interested employees
plan and execute their individual career paths. You
will know what training, practical experience, and
education are required for every position at Canem,
Ask yourself: Are you willing
to commit to a course of selfas far as Flaman is concerned, you
couldn’t ask for a better employer:
“Everyone here treats you well.
When my wife died a few years ago,
people from the office checked in
on me, which meant a lot,” he says,
singling out Al Miller, Vice President
and District Manager, Alberta, and
Morris Lansing (now Vancouver
Division Manager), for special praise.
“I’ve known them for years and they
are both great guys to work with.”
Lansing and Miller return the compliment: “Neil is a really good guy
and a wonderful employee,” says
Lansing. “Agreed, but he sure can be
grumpy!” adds Al Miller, referring to
Neil’s well-known gruff exterior.
Something tells us, that really is
just on the outside!
development that will mean
personal sacrifices?
and how to set off on the path to achieve your goal.
However, you must be motivated. Ask yourself: Are
you willing to commit to a course of self-development that will mean personal sacrifices? Do you
really want and are you ready for the additional
responsibilities that will come with the new job? Are
you willing to compete for better job opportunities? If you can answer yes to all of these questions,
you’re ready to advance professionally.
We will do our very best to be there for any employee who wants to get ahead, but the primary
responsibility for career development lies with the
individual. It takes enthusiasm, efficiency, good
judgment, dependability, and loyalty – all qualities
that will also increase your own sense of job satisfaction. I encourage you to explore the possibilities!
CANEM CONDUIT • VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 • Spring 2007
1
Division Reports
Nanaimo
Calgary
spur-of-the-moment speech
competition among first-year
employees was a highlight of the Division’s Christmas party, held December
9 at Parksville’s beautiful Tigh-NaMara Resort. Chris Cormie was the
winner (although all of the speeches
were great!) as he described what life
at Canem has been like so far.
ictured
is future
Canem employee Ryan
Carson (son
of Elizabeth
and Tyler
Carson), who wants to take over his
Dad’s position with the company!
Division Manager Les Hodgson is
always looking for good, young workers, but this might be pushing it!
bout 200 partygoers were at the
Division’s Christmas party at
the Wainwright Hotel on December
8, and enjoyed a fun Casino, door
prizes, dinner, and dancing. They
a
a
P
Did you Know
We have a steer wrestling champion
in our midst?
In fact, Calgary Division employee David
Roy (top left) is a two-time winner (1993
and 1997) of the Calgary Stampede’s
$50,000 steer wrestling contest! The 20-year
professional cowboy also “wrestled” for
Team Canada at the Olympic Rodeo in 1988,
helping the team to a Silver medal, and was
Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
season leader in 1996 and 1997. David has
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CANEM CONDUIT
also gave generously to the local
food bank. Pictured is Al Miller,
Vice-President and Regional Manager
Alberta, who received a “gag” decoy
duck in recognition of his 30 years
with the company (don’t worry, he
also got a real gift!).
retired but his sons, 16 year-old Trigger
(centre) and 13 year-old Kasper (right), are
carrying on the family tradition. Trigger won
the 2006 Silver State High School Rodeo
finals in Fallon, Nevada, and Kasper won the
2005 Alberta Junior High School championship and qualified for the 2006 national
junior high finals in Gallup, New Mexico.
Nice going, guys!
Apprentice
Wins!
Al Miller is
pleased to
announce
that Calgary
Division
apprentice Peter
Collins has won a
$1000 scholarship from the
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. Peter was one of 177 recipients
selected by the Board. We think they made
a great choice! Congratulations Peter!
S
anta was one busy guy at the
Employee Association’s annual
Christmas party. Pictured is Ashley
Gillis (granddaughter of electrician
Allan Gillis), one of about 50 kids
who took part in lots of fun activities.
The party was coordinated by Don
and Melinda Thompson, with help
from Mike and MJ Cressman, Tom
Givogue, Lynn Neufeld, Louise
Caine, Shawna Spurrill, Allan
Gillis, and Deborah Prothmann.
Division Reports
red deer
T
he Division’s long history of
supporting minor hockey continues with Greg Holtby, who is now
coaching his son, Ethan (Number
14 in your program!), a member of
the Granden Auto Bulldogs. “There is
nothing more rewarding than working with kids and I am proud to be
a part of this Canem tradition,” says
Greg. Other supporters include Division Manager Dale deWit, whose
daughter plays for the Bantam B
Sutter Fund Chiefs; Project Manager
Brad Heinzlmeir, who coaches the
Pictured back row, far right, is Greg Holtby,
coach of the Granden Auto Bulldogs – one of two
Blackfalds Bulldog teams supported with cash and
caps from Canem Red Deer.
Pee Wee A Sutter Fund Chiefs;
and Al Miller, Vice-President and
Regional Manager, Alberta. Al, Brad,
and Dale bought and auctioned off
Flames and Oilers tickets and sweaters (which went for $350 each!)
in support of a recent tournament
hosted by the Bulldogs. The Division chipped in for ball caps for
each Bulldog, and a group of suppliers also helped out. All told, over
$1500 was raised.
Happy 30th Anniversary, Morris and Judy Lansing!
April 14, 2007.
Vancouver
a
fab time was had by all at the
Christmas party, which again
featured table games (created by Administrative Assistant Wilma Moir) to
determine pecking order at the buffet
and, just like last year, lots of cheating! Dinner was followed by speeches,
door prizes, awards, and magician
Rod Boss. Special recognition went
to apprentices Kyle Bradley, Chris
Horntvedt, Kosta Stevens, and
Tudor Reedman-Toropoc for achieving 90% or better grades in school.
Dawn Logan and son,
Jerik (centre), received
a $5800 cheque
from Canem Calgary
presented by Cory
Schwab (left), from the
Employees Association,
and Lynn Neufeld
(right). Also representing Canem was Service
Manager Ken Thiessen,
who took the photo.
Canem Calgary Reaches out to Family in Need
Dawn Logan has certainly seen her fair share
of hard times, most recently when she learned
that her son, Jerik, has leukemia and will
need 3 years’ worth of treatment. Resources
are tight for the single mom of three, but
Dawn’s life recently got a little better, thanks
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CANEM CONDUIT
to a substantial donation from the Division
to help with expenses while she takes time
off to care for Jerik and her other two sons,
Jordan and Justin. A total of $2900 raised at
the Christmas party and from the Employee
Association, was matched by the Division.
Vancouver Division employees at a demonstration
led by Danny Campomizzi, in preparation for a pipe
bending job at Van Tech 2 designed to make exposed
conduit in the boiler room more aesthetically pleasing. Left to right: Ian Lindquist, Kevin Smith, Chris
Kostuk, Jason Armstrong, Eric Sugawara, Drew
Faulkner, Igor Narivonchik, and Danny Campomizzi.
Victoria
T
Edmonton
T
his year’s Christmas party was a
popular one indeed, as a recordbreaking 160 employees and guests
turned up at the Jubilee Auditorium
on December 9 for a night of dinner, dancing, and awards. Pictured is
Apprentice of the Year Brett Harke
(middle) with his pal, Eli Gevy and
his girlfriend, Lisa Gerber.
he annual Christmas party was
held December 9 at McMorran’s
Beach House, where 82 guests enjoyed another fantastic buffet, courtesy of Wallace McMorran and staff.
Special guests were former Division
Manager Gerry Stewart and his wife,
Clarice; former CEO Bill Crarer and
his wife, Sandra; and President Brad
Armstrong and his wife, Joanne. Entertainment was provided by magician
Dave Attwood, who kept everyone
laughing while they waited in the
buffet line. Special thanks to the suppliers, who again came through with
many great gifts for all to enjoy.
006 marked the Division’s
second year of participation in the
Victoria United Way Campaign and,
2
Christmas PARTY TIME AT CANEM!
Edmonton
Pictured at Vancouver Island’s Jordan River ski area is
Victoria apprentice Lee Kupiak, an avid snow surfer
on a weekend outing with fellow apprentice Michael
Macatee, who took the photo. (We don’t know the
difference between snow surfing and snow boarding,
but it might just be that we’re too un-cool for words!)
once again, the Division was awarded
an Employee Silver award for raising
$10,000.00, up from last year’s $9200
donation. “This was a fantastic effort
by all of the Division’s employees,” said
Mike Embury, adding that it was also
Regional Manager Knud Mortensen’s
second year as account executive in
charge of soliciting donations from
local construction companies
vancouver
calgary
victoria
CANEM CONDUIT • VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 • Spring 2007
4
Calgary Electrician Mike Cooper installs a time-saving
pre-cut Hilti cantruss.
Favourites
from
fromthe
the
Field
In this issue of The Conduit we introduce a new section that will focus on helpful
hints and useful tips for increasing productivity and efficiency. Calgary Superintendent
Andy Carr starts things off with a comparison of the new Hilti pre-cut cantruss versus
the standard and slotted versions.
Scenario 1: Standard cantruss for building
rack. Total time and materials: $765.93. Same
day delivery
Scenario 2: Slotted cantruss for building
rack. Total time and material: $957.84. Delivery: 3–5 working days.
Scenario 3: Hilti pre-cut strut for building
rack. Total time and material: $508.50. Delivery: 3–5 working days (expected to improve)
“With only 1 hour of labour involved (to order
and receive), this new tool offers a 31% saving
over Scenario 1 and a 47% saving over Scenario 2,” says Andy Carr. “And this is based on
just one rack per floor. The savings could be
even more significant on a larger job.”
The Canem Conduit is published four times
per year by Canem Systems Ltd., 1358-13351
Commerce Parkway, Richmond, BC, V6V 2X7
Telephone (604) 214-8650.
We welcome your comments and
suggestions for future issues.
Please contact Julie Lee via email at
[email protected]
5
CANEM CONDUIT
Pictured (L to R), enjoying
a quiet moment: President
Brad Armstrong; Vancouver Division Construction
Manager Morris Lansing;
Edmonton Division Manager Brian Alexander;
and Vancouver Division
Manager Ron Tryuda.
AGM Sets company direction for 2007
T
he 2006 annual general
meeting was held in November. Two full days of meetings featured a review of activities
that took place during 2006, plans
for 2007, presentations by virtually
every member of the management
We
We Are
Are All
All
T
Canem!
his issue we introduce a new
column, on human resource
initiatives and employee wellness, by Julie Lee, Human Resource
and Development Manager.
A company is only as successful as
its people and their will to succeed.
At Canem, one of our top priorities
is to promote excellence by ensuring our employees get the training
they need to help them achieve their
goals and reach their full potential.
With over 60,000 person-hours
dedicated to field and office development and training in 2006, we truly
do believe in growing talent! This
focus on training is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our success is
infinite. As we build on our foundation, we become more knowledgeable and adaptable when it comes to
dealing with and managing the complexities of our changing industry.
While the training programs
we identify are certainly designed
with the company’s best interests
in mind, they can also help partici-
spring 2007
committee, and a formal welcome
to the two newest members of the
Management Committee: Stuart
Fuhr, Construction Manager, Edmonton; and Morley Harke, Construction Manager Special Projects,
Edmonton.
Pictured (left to right) are graduates of the most
recent CMP training: Tyler Carson (Nanaimo), Matt
Strickland (Edmonton), Ken Donaghy (Calgary), Al
Morrison (Edmonton), Myles Evancio (Calgary),
Brad Heinzlmeir (Red Deer), Kim Enders (Calgary),
and Jody Van Kleef (Nanaimo).
pants enhance their skills off the job.
For example, the Canem Marketing
Process (CMP) focuses on maintaining
positive client relations by enhancing problem-solving, mediation, and
communication abilities – all of which
are important life-skills in general. This
intensive, four day course involves a
tremendous amount of work, before,
during, and after the program, but
those who take it have nothing but
praise for the results! If you have questions about CMP or other professional
development opportunities at Canem,
please drop me a line.
Project Profile
The Peter Lougheed Centre is comprised of a parkade expansion (completed); plus a new central power plant, and a new east wing concrete tower with a link to the
existing structure – both of which will be in full swing this spring. The project started in 2005 and is slated for completion by 2010. In addition to Project Manager
Gordon Boys, Canem’s on site team members are: Cost Manager Alfredo Machado, Project Superintendent Rob Harkins, and Project Administrator Cheryl Rausch.
Hospital Expansion a Showcase for Future Contracts
A
s projects go, it doesn’t have upgrade projects underway in Calgary, to relocating entrances and ambulance
bays. “A major focus has been on efour performance is being carefully
a huge “wow” factor when it
scrutinized by the industry,” says Proj- fective communication,” says Boys,
comes to high-tech systems
noting, for example, the many hours
ect Manager Gordon Boys. “So we
and equipment, complicated installaSuperintendent Rob Harkins dedicated
are striving to show that we should
tions, and the like. But Canem’s $30
to coordinating the relocation of power
be the contractor of choice in terms
million share of the $168 million
feeders in preparation for east
Peter Lougheed Centre is exactly
wing excavation.
the kind of job that will serve
The main challenge is finding
Preparatory work has also inthe company well down the
ways to work in a busy
volved building extensive mockroad because of the extensive
ups and obtaining feedback
behind-the-scenes planning,
hospital environment without
on the proposed placement of
organization, and attention to
disrupting
patient
care.
services such as outlets, fixtures,
detail that is required.
and patient lifting systems for
“As one of three major hospital
the acute, critical, and intensive
of this work in the future.” The main
care areas. “The idea is to ensure the
challenge, he says, is finding ways to
final design comes together with full
work in a busy hospital environment
input from the hospital,” says Boys, addwithout disrupting patient care. “We
ing that the Canem team came up with
need to do things according to their
a simple yet effective innovation that
needs, not ours.”
enhanced the efficiency of the mockup
Accordingly, the on-site team
process: photocopying telephone outmaintains close contact with both
lets, plugs, and other components, and
the Calgary Regional Health Authorpasting them into position. “That saved
ity and hospital staff to identify how
a lot of time and money because it was
best to manage activities that range
Crew members work on one of several mock-ups
easy to make adjustments.”
being utilized to improve productivity and efficiency.
from necessary power shut downs
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CANEM CONDUIT
spring 2007
Editor: Arbutus Communications 604-253-1962