Powerhouse Management Group Inc., a Canadian owned company specializing in the supply and construction of pre-engineered steel buildings, is a company going in the right direction. Over the past six years, it has earned a very positive reputation nationally through its dedication to delivering the highest quality. The company, headquartered in Langley, British Columbia with offices across B.C., and now Ontario, boasts a team of industry veterans, bringing together decades-long experience in both new building projects and repairing or upgrading existing facilities in the petrochemical, mining, forestry, power generation, and agricultural industries. No project is too big or small for Powerhouse, and as the moniker suggests, it approaches every project with the same tenacity, determination and work ethic to execute on time and under budget.
In business, success can be a difficult thing to achieve, and even harder to maintain. However, by doing things with quality and professionalism, a company can give itself a fighting chance. Having achieved both targets, the team at Powerhouse is a prime example of this. The company owes its success to the simple mission that guides its efforts: to provide high-quality services and fair prices to its roster of trusted clients that include big names like Artemis Gold, Imperial Oil, GFL, and more. Since its inception in 2017, Powerhouse Management has become a household name across Western Canada, and with an Eastern expansion and plans to go across the border into the United States, it is showing no signs of slowing down. The company has delivered on its mission and then some, with a number of structural, mechanical and cladding installations already under its belt and several projects currently underway. “What sets us apart from other companies is the experience of our staff,” says Julian Matheson, Business Development Manager for Powerhouse. “Everyone here has such deep experience working in industrial and commercial projects. Because of this the client trusts that we know what we are doing.”
Founded and helmed by seasoned industry professionals Michael Matheson, Shawn D. Lochbaum, Scott Robinson and Shawn Lochbaum Jr., the company spans various sectors including agriculture, bulk material handling, oil & gas and mining, providing top-tier pre-engineered steel building contractor services to big-name clients. Beyond the in-house expertise, the organization has prioritized relationships among suppliers, enabling the team to secure more competitive pricing for its client roster, meaning projects are consistently on time and under budget without sacrificing quality. At just six years old, Powerhouse Management has already hit several milestones, working on major projects such as the ongoing Kearl Lake MSF South project —one of its largest to-date. The company’s involvement included the construction of four buildings at an industrial oil facility in Northern Alberta.
Despite year-over-year growth, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, however. As with many industries, construction was hit exceptionally hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis resulted in staffing shortages, an onslaught of ever-changing health and safety regulations, and closures that interrupted supply chains and slowed project timelines. This was felt particularly strongly as Powerhouse worked through a large-scale, complex building project for B.C.-based Neptune Bulk Terminals. The project involved navigating mask protocols while coordinating a team of over 400 people in a 12,000 square foot space. However, thanks to strictly enforced safety protocols and diligent coordination and project management, the team managed to pull off the project with no safety infractions or incidents – another testament to the company’s quintessential commitment to detail, quality and a well-defined process.
As for what’s next, Matheson says the team is excited to be expanding operations into Ontario and eventually the United States. In addition to this, he says, the company will be exploring options so that it can continue to offer value to new and existing clients. “Currently, we’re trying to build out our design team,” says Matheson on Powerhouse’s move to offer an increasing number of design-build services to its clients. Design-Build is a method of project delivery in which one entity, the Design-Build team, works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. One entity, one contract, one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion. “Essentially it allows contractors to get on board early and provide their input, as opposed to having an engineer or architect design first and then getting contractor input later,” says Matheson. A Design-Build team ensures all key players have a seat at the table at the outset of a project, ensuring the design is functional from a construction perspective while also adhering to the client’s needs and budgetary restraints. “At the end of the day, our clients are spending hard earned money to grow their business and we want to ensure they do that successfully,” he adds. As part of this offering, Powerhouse can generate accurate 3D models and renderings, giving the client an accurate representation of the final product before any work starts. For Powerhouse, it is all about keeping the client informed and involved in the process, from initial project planning all the way to completion.
“One entity, one contract, one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion.”
In addition to recruiting for the Design-Build aspect of the business, Powerhouse is also ramping up recruitment efforts to attract the top-tier project management and coordinator talent it needs to keep pace with its rapidly growing business, particularly as experienced workers are starting to age out of the industry and retire. The working pitch? “Construction is an industry where you get to experience tons of different clients with new and unique problems to solve. It’s always different every single day,” says Matheson. In addition to new staff, Powerhouse is always looking to welcome new clients and explore new industries. “Our ideal customer is someone looking for a really high-quality standard in their work and looking to negotiate a contract that is beneficial for all parties. We like to negotiate work for the client to ensure they get what they want,” says Matheson.
Find out how Powerhouse can help make your small or large-scale industrial project a reality. Visit its website for more information or fill out its contact form here.
