professionals and cutting-edge technology, Fortis offers innovative solutions tailored to each project’s specific needs. Garry Clarke, President of Fortis, recounts the company’s origins,“the genesis of our company was rooted in the work Northern Strands was doing in local mines here in Saskatchewan. Northern Strands, a supplier of mine cables, fittings, and conveyance parts, was frequently involved in service work directly in the mine shafts. However, it became clear that a dedicated entity was needed to do justice to this specialized work.” Recognizing the need for focused expertise, Clarke led the creation of Fortis Mining Engineering & Manufacturing originally known as Fortis.“We saw a significant opportunity with the numerous upgrades happening in Saskatchewan’s local mines at the time,” he explains. “This period allowed us to refine our processes and build dedicated crews specialized in mining projects.” Adrianne Jones, Human Resources Manager, highlights the crucial phase from 2007 to 2012 when a wave of skilled talent in the mines retired.“There were numerous tasks that needed expertise, and the retiring workforce left a gap,” Jones notes. Fortis stepped in to fill this void, leveraging our growing reputation and technical know-how to take on these critical projects, a greatly appreciated contribution by the industry.” INDUSTRY REPUTATION The company’s ability to adapt and expand rapidly despite challenging circumstances was instrumental in its early success. “We were fortunate to work in various mines across the country and even into the United States,” states Clarke. “This exposure accelerated our learning curve and helped us perfect our procedures, earning significant respect within the mining community.” One of Fortis’ key strengths lies in its problemsolving capabilities. “Engineering firms began to rely heavily on us,” Clarke mentions. “We became known for finding solutions to challenges that others couldn’t. Whether it was dealing with rope-ups, accidents in mine shafts, or complex engineering 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 06 FORTIS CORPORATION
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