JA Tech Inc.

Powering Saskatchewan’s Growth with Engineering Excellence

Expertly supporting the future of Saskatchewan’s essential industries through innovative engineering, strategic alliances, and a clear focus on quality and integrity.

JA Tech Inc., founded in 2003, has grown from a modest husband-and-wife operation into a thriving company with 75 to 80 employees. Greg Bolen, Director of Construction Services, recounts the company’s early days and steady expansion with an air of pride that reflects JA Tech’s journey from its small beginnings.

“JA Tech started as a fairly small business,” he explains. “It was around 2007 when I came on board,” Bolen says, marking a pivotal time for the company as the potash mines in Saskatchewan began to expand. This surge in demand pushed JA Tech to grow from a six-person team to the larger operation it is today.

Since its inception, JA Tech has focused on delivering specialized electrical field services to a broad range of clients. “We’re a field service business providing specialized technical and engineering services as well as products for most equipment and apparatus which form an electrical power system,” Bolen states. JA Tech’s core offerings include testing and commissioning, high voltage substation construction, cable installations, fiber optic fusion splicing as well as power transformer assembly and oil filling.

Bolen details the client base, noting that it spans small and large industrial sites, commercial establishments, and utility and renewable energy providers. “Our customers are mostly in industrial and commercial sectors, with a significant presence in the mining industry,” he explains, indicating the broad yet specialized reach of JA Tech’s operations.

Dawson Nordick, a Business Development Associate, further explains the specialized nature of the company’s service offerings. “We have specialists who can handle a multitude of medium to high voltage terminations,” he says. JA Tech’s expertise is not just limited to the technical aspects of the job but extends to certifications that allow them to work on systems up to 230kV.

“Our home is Saskatchewan,” Nordick continues, emphasizing the company’s strong roots in Saskatoon. While Saskatchewan remains its primary hub, JA Tech’s reach stretches across western Canada. “We service most of the mines across Saskatchewan, with some work in Alberta and Manitoba,” he says.

Anticipating Industry Shifts

As the mining and energy sectors evolve, JA Tech remains vigilant, adapting its strategies to stay ahead of emerging trends. Nordick identifies the rapid expansion of the mining industry, particularly in the potash and uranium sectors, as a significant trend.

“With the global demand for potash and uranium on the rise, we’re seeing a push for new mines across Saskatchewan,” he explains. Saskatchewan’s rich mining culture has always been a cornerstone of the region’s economy. Still, the current boom in uranium, especially in the northern part of the province, is drawing considerable attention. He highlights the proposal of two additional uranium mines in the north and new copper and nickel mines as key developments the company is closely monitoring.

Bolen adds to the discussion, pointing out the shifting focus of local utilities toward nuclear power. “The local utility is exploring nuclear power alongside ongoing investments in renewables,” he notes. JA Tech has already established its presence in the renewable energy sector, but nuclear power represents uncharted territory. While the company hasn’t yet ventured into nuclear projects, Bolen’s comment suggests a keen interest in this area as a potential avenue for future growth.

Addressing Workforce Shortages: Challenges and Strategic Responses

Saskatchewan’s economy is rapidly expanding, and JA Tech faces the dual challenge of managing growth while grappling with a significant shortage of skilled tradespeople. Nordick candidly addresses the issue, describing the shortage of skilled tradesmen and technicians as one of the province’s most pressing challenges.

“There’s a lack of skilled tradespeople for a province that’s growing so fast,” he explains, noting that the demand for electrical engineering technologists, electricians, and instrumentation technicians is surging beyond what local labor markets can supply. These professionals are integral to JA Tech’s operations, particularly in maintenance, testing, and commissioning—the company’s “bread and butter,” as Nordick puts it.

In response, JA Tech has developed a multifaceted recruitment approach, focusing on local and emerging talent pools. “We start at the base level, in schools like Saskatchewan Polytech,” Nordick says, highlighting the company’s proactive efforts to engage with students early in their education. By delivering presentations that outline career opportunities in electrical engineering and high-voltage specialties, JA Tech seeks to inspire the next generation of skilled workers.

Strengthening Industry Ties Through SIMSA

In an industry where connections and knowledge-sharing are paramount, JA Tech has found a valuable partner in the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA). Bolen highlights the importance of SIMSA for companies like JA Tech.

“SIMSA has been good for Saskatchewan,” he states, reflecting on the association’s mission to enhance the profile of Saskatchewan-based companies. JA Tech has been a member for several years, drawn to SIMSA’s commitment to showcasing what local businesses can offer. Bolen appreciates the organization’s “for Saskatchewan, by Saskatchewan” approach, which aligns well with JA Tech’s deep roots in the region.

Nordick further elaborates on how SIMSA helps. “SIMSA increases members’ visibility to larger clients and provides awareness about what’s happening with these projects,” he explains. The association acts as a conduit between JA Tech and significant industry players, ensuring that the company stays informed about upcoming opportunities and the requirements to participate in these projects. This flow of information is crucial for a company like JA Tech, which operates in constantly evolving sectors.

Nordick points out another significant benefit of their involvement with SIMSA. “Their networking events are beneficial,” he says, stressing how these gatherings offer opportunities to meet other contractors and industry professionals who may not be encountered in day-to-day operations. These events serve as a platform for introductions and learning about various projects, emerging trends, and growing partnerships.

Key Projects: Powering Saskatchewan’s Mining Industry

As JA Tech continues to solidify its reputation in the electrical field services sector, its involvement in critical projects across Saskatchewan’s potash and uranium mines reflects the company’s growing influence in the industry. Bolen provides insight into one of the company’s significant ongoing projects, highlighting the intricate work at a nearby mine.

“We’re doing a 25 kV expansion at a local potash mine,” he shares. He explains that most potash mines operate underground systems at 15kV. However, as mining operations extend further from the power source, issues like voltage drop necessitate higher voltage systems to maintain efficiency.

“We’re installing new 230 kV infrastructure, stepping it down to 25 kV, which then feeds the mine through the headframe,” Bolen elaborates. This project, slated to take about a year, is critical to ensuring that the mine can continue to expand its operations without encountering power issues. According to Bolen, the project has been “very successful so far,” emphasizing JA Tech’s expertise in handling complex electrical infrastructure.

In addition to this significant project, JA Tech is deeply involved in numerous smaller-scale regional efforts. “We have a lot of projects at other potash mines and uranium mines,” Bolen says, noting that these often involve maintenance and testing during the mines’ shutdown periods. These maintenance projects, which can last from a week to several weeks, require JA Tech to mobilize large teams to ensure that all necessary equipment is serviced effectively.

Embracing Technological Evolution in Testing

The electrical services industry is ever-evolving, and keeping pace with technological advancements is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Nordick emphasizes how rapid technological advancements have reshaped the testing landscape.

“Manufacturers are constantly evolving their equipment, whether it be switchgear, relays, or test equipment,” he explains. This continuous evolution requires JA Tech to invest in additional training and resources to ensure its team can handle the latest advancements. He points out that while this means more ongoing education, the benefits are substantial. “It makes the job easier as technology advances,” he says, noting that the new tools and methods streamline the work and enhance the accuracy and reliability of the results they provide to clients.

One area where this is particularly evident is in cable testing. “We’ve gone from basic cable testing to more advanced methods like Very Low Frequency (VLF) testing,” Nordick notes. He elaborates that as technology has progressed, so have their capabilities, with VLF testing evolving to include VLF Tan Delta testing and even further to Offline Partial Discharge testing. Each step in this progression offers more detailed insights, allowing JA Tech to deliver a more transparent, comprehensive picture to its clients.

Strategic Alliances and Core Values

JA Tech’s growth and success are built on technical expertise, regional focus, strategic partnerships, and firm adherence to core values that define its business philosophy. These elements, often working quietly behind the scenes, are instrumental in shaping the company’s identity and driving its long-term success.

Nordick begins by highlighting some of the key strategic agreements that enhance JA Tech’s service offerings. “We’re a certified Aboriginal business through the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and we’re also COR certified with the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association,” he says.

In addition to these certifications, one notable partnership is with Arrow Speed Controls who is the Mitsubishi provider out of Vancouver. “We’re the local sales and service provider for all Mitsubishi variable frequency drives installed in Saskatchewan,” Nordick explains.

Another partnership is with Mine Cable Services, a manufacturer based in Edmonton, Alberta. “We’re the local sales and service provider for all cable splicing needs and for underground mining,” Nordick continues. “We’re a one-stop shop,” he adds, highlighting the convenience and reliability these partnerships bring their customers.

Bolen rounds out the discussion by articulating the values that drive JA Tech’s operations. “We’ve got it on all our trucks Quality, Commitment, and Integrity,” he says with conviction. These principles are not just slogans but are deeply embedded in the company’s approach to business.

Expanding Horizons: Engineering and Instrumentation Growth

As JA Tech looks to the future, Bolen outlines its ambitious plans, starting with expanding its engineering services. “We want to grow more in our engineering services,” he says, signaling a clear direction for the company’s future. “We want to take it from engineering to execution to turnover,” he explains, emphasizing the importance of providing clients with seamless, end-to-end project management.

In tandem with this growth in engineering, JA Tech is also keen to expand its instrumentation services. “We’re steadily growing that side of the business as well,” Bolen notes, highlighting how this expansion is strategically aligned with existing electrical construction services. Integrating enhanced instrumentation services allows JA Tech to offer a more holistic approach to project execution, ensuring that all aspects of the client’s needs are met under one roof.

Through these planned expansions, JA Tech aims to solidify its role as a leader in the industrial services sector, providing the essential industries of Saskatchewan and beyond with the expertise and comprehensive solutions they require to thrive. The company’s forward-looking strategy reflects the company’s focus on growth and innovation, ensuring that JA Tech remains at the forefront of the industry and ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.

AT A GLANCE

JA Tech Inc.

What: Provider of specialized electrical field services, engineering, and instrumentation solutions

Where: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Website: www.jatechpowersystems.com/