Business View Magazine - July 2024

As the company continues to expand its footprint and navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world, its commitment to innovation and workforce development sets it apart. SECTOR INVOLVEMENT Brock Canada’s operations are centered in Nisku, Alberta, serving a vast expanse fromWestern Canada to Ontario. Pieter Smits, Vice President of Operations for Brock Canada Field Services, highlights the company’s breadth. “We operate predominantly in the industrial sector, focusing on maintenance and project work. While our primary clientele includes industries such as oil and gas, fertilizer, and pulp mills, our services ensure these sectors can maintain and enhance their production capabilities.” Brian Dawyd, Vice President of Operations for Brock Canada Industrial Limited, adds, “Our specialty services, including scaffolding, insulation, and fireproofing, are integral to facility maintenance, construction, and capital projects.” NAVIGATING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES The industrial sector has recently encountered significant pressures,notablydue to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smits sheds light on the challenges and Brock Canada’s proactive response: “One of the most pressing post-COVID challenges is the backlog of work that requires completion. Projects were postponed, and now there’s an urgent need for maintenance, turnarounds, and new construction.” Brock Canada is proactively addressing these challenges by committing to workforce development. “We have developed a first-year foundation program in partnership with various First Nations across Western Canada,” explains Smits.“This initiative aims to bring Indigenous youth into the trades, helping to build the next generation of skilled workers and addressing the labor shortage.” Material costs and supply chain disruptions have also posed challenges.“We see increases across the market and continuously challenge ourselves and our vendors to think creatively,” Dawyd notes. 123 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07 BROCK GROUP CANADA