ALBERTA’S TOP 10 OPEN SHOP CONTRACTORS
Safety, community leadership, and
a focus on quality and integrity
CDCR staff writer
It isn’t easy to qualify to be a Top 10
Open Shop Contractor in Alberta, be-
cause membership on this list goes be-
yond the company’s size and the obvious
requirement that it be an open shop con-
tractor. We looked for other indications of
workforce and community leadership in-
cluding whether it had achieved member-
ship in the Alberta’s Top 70 Employers
competition, or leadership in relevant
business and community associations.

The list here is based on subjective
and objective measurements, so we will
not attempt to rank businesses within
the Top 10. Accordingly, the list is alpha-
betical, referencing also head office loca-
tions. “Our company was founded by two
people who never stopped looking for a
better way to do construction,” it says.

“Forty years later, that commitment to re-
lentless improvement lives on through
initiatives like our use of Building Infor-
mation Modelling, lean construction, and
new project delivery models. By empha-
sizing innovation before work begins at
site, we make new ideas easier and less
expensive to carry out.”
Concept Group, Calgary
This full-service electrical contractor
has been in business since 1997. Its di-
versity of services encompasses electri-
cal, HVAC and refrigeration, security and
fire/life safety, data, controls and plumb-
ing. It has locations in Edmonton, Fort
McMurray, Bonnyville and Saskatoon.

Botting & Associates Alberta Ltd.,
Calgary G & M Plumbing and Heating,
Grand Prairie
This mechanical contractor has been
in business since 1953. Employees par-
ticipate in an exceptional benefits pro-
gram. “At Botting, we foster a
challenging atmosphere which will en-
courage our employees to grow and ma-
ture both on and off the job,” the
company says. “Friendly co-workers and
a safe comfortable workplace are also
important elements of employment with
Botting.” This company has been in business
since 1979 and has achieved CoR health
and safety recognition. “Our technicians
are the best plumbers in the industry,
paying careful attention to detail and fin-
ishing projects on time and on budget.”
Chandos Construction Ltd.,
Edmonton Chandos Construction Ltd. belongs to
both the Top 70 Alberta Employers and
Canada’s Best Managed Companies. The
business says it focuses its charitable ef-
forts “on at-risk youth and individuals
working in trades” and additionally en-
courages employees to give back to the
community by providing as many as
three paid days off for voluntary initia-
tives, while it matches employee dona-
tions. Chandos has 389 employees in Ed-
monton, Calgary and Red Deer, as well
as out-of-province offices in Regina, Van-
couver, Toronto and Ottawa.

Clark Builders, Edmonton
The company has applied an attitude
of “continuous improvement” in its 40
year history. This includes defining suc-
cess, collaboration and innovation.

18 – Spring 2018 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
25-year history with a focus on design-
build and pre-engineered projects.

On its website, the company says:
“Our ‘Total Responsibility’ approach leads
to cost effective, forward thinking and
practical solutions to many design and
job site conditions. With over two
decades of experience, our firm is very
familiar with industrial and commercial
site requirements enabling us to identify
any potential deficiencies long before
they become costly changes or delays.”
Fillmore Construction Management,
Edmonton Founded in 1991, this Edmonton
based company also has offices in Cal-
gary and Grand Prairie, and is on the Al-
berta Top 70 list. The company’s motto
is: “Passion for Excellence” and it is one
of Canada’s 100 Best Managed Compa-
nies in 2018.

Fillmore supports many community
and charitable organizations, including
the MS Bike Tour, Habitat for Humanity,
Bicycles for Humanity, B4H0, Haddrell
Residence, Pedal Power for Edmonton’s
Food Bank and Unruh Residence.

Montech Mechanical
(Insight Mechanical), Edmonton
This business offers a full range of
mechanical services, from initial concept
and budgeting to complete mechanical
design and construction. “From the of-
fice to the field, all team members work
collaboratively to ensure we exceed
client expectations,” the business says.

Insight Mechanical became a wholly
owned Montech Mechanical subsidiary
in 2006, and the company overall has a
Stuart Olson Dominion
Construction Ltd.

This $1 billion plus organization “rep-
resenting one of the largest and most re-
spected construction services
companies in Canada,” is one of Al-
berta’s Top 70 employers. The company
employs more than 4,000 people.

The company’s leadership takes
health, safety and the environment (HSE)
extremely seriously. It engages all em-
ployees in health and safety training year-
round, with executive members leading
by example through committee chair-
manships, events, and the creation of
policy and expectations. “And our internal
compliance is rigorous. Each month all
operations are monitored and graded
based on their HSE performance.”
SITE Management Ltd.,
Sherwood Park
SITE describes itself as a “fully-inte-
grated energy services company that
provides exceptional environmental, in-
frastructure and access services for oil,
gas and resource development compa-
nies.” The business advocates for extensive
community involvement and participa-
tion, including supporting Aboriginal
communities. It supports community
high school sports, arts and achievement
clubs, agricultural associations and
clubs, minor hockey and soccer, and sea-
sonal festivals, rodeos and more.

“SITE takes every opportunity to form
joint ventures and partnerships with local
community stakeholders in a communal
effort to increase local economic, social
and environmental efforts,” the company
says.