Ontario Construction Report special feature
Solid safety practices vital in challenging environments
Over its 40-year history, The Matcom Group has evolved into a full service multi-trade industrial machinery solutions provider, offering services ranging from installation and relocation to rigging, piping and auditing. What has not changed in 40 years is the company’s commitment to safety, project management and customer service.
Emma O’Dwyer, vice-president market development, says the company began as a rigging machinery moving company, whose founder was dedicated to serving clients. “People would ask us to do things and he would figure out a way to do it, well and safely. That’s still the basis for how we operate.”
Over time, this strategy helped the company develop expertise in niche areas that have grown in demand. The company now employs 120 full time staff and, from its head office in Vaughan, tackles projects around the world from North America to China.
O’Dwyer says where the company’s expertise is required, one or two of Matcom’s team will be dispatched to lead a team of local workers. “We prefer to engage the local workforce and also have a network of trusted partners that we can rely on.”
She says the company has worked with many key players in the industry, including a long list of long-time clients, and on many projects requiring the movement of heavy parts, or unique and delicate components. The Matcom Group, for instance, was involved in moving the historic Avro Arrow and in installing the newest 4-D ride at Canada’s Wonderland.
Sometimes the challenges involve weight and placement, and other times how to work while construction is ongoing. “We may have to switch out a large generator or other critical piece of equipment during a renovation or be navigating highly sensitive and delicate equipment into an existing building on a tight site.”
As critical to Matcom’s expertise in problem solving is its focus on safety and attention to detail. O’Dwyer says the company employs a full time, in-house safety team who are committed to the belief that everyone has the right to get home from a day’s work. “Every project, no matter how small, is the focus of a safety talk and an analysis that includes various eyes and perspectives to look at the site and safety plan to ensure no detail has been missed.”
O’Dwyer says the company was founded on teamwork and trust, values that are still critical today. “When you’re talking about safety, about challenging situations, there has to be a level of trust and commitment. That comes from everyone buying in and everyone being an equal part of the team.”
The Matcom Group has been located in Vaughan since its founding and is involved heavily in the local area, through the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, with local groups who the company donates vehicles and time to for efforts including food drives and the local Santa Claus parade, and with local sport. “We support a number of teams that our employees and their kids are involved with and really get involved by going to watch, as well as sponsoring.”
O’Dwyer says the team is proud to have been serving the industry for 40 years now and looks forward to the next 40. “We will continue to adapt with the times, to improve our capabilities to meet growing demands, but we will always maintain the core values that made us who we are and that continue to serve our clients and our team.”
For more information, visit http://www.matcom.com.
Miss the days when Scott Stobo was President.