Project details:
The Organisation
- Family-owned Canadian company;
- 35 years in the construction business;
- Annual construction revenue in excess of $165,000,000;
- Recognized in 2009 as one of Canada’s “Top 50 Best Employers”.
Maple Reinders was established in 1967 as a full-service design, build, and construction-management firm specializing in industrial/commercial/institutional facilities, municipal infrastructure, and environmental projects. They have grown to seven offices across Canada, and are recognized as environmental construction leaders with wastewater and composting facilities that exceed government standards.
The Challenge
Maple Reinders began undertaking a major change when their revenues doubled in less than two years. “We experienced a period of dramatic growth and in trying to keep up with the new work, we ran into problems. We realized after that period that we needed controlled growth. Grid was very timely for incorporating this new growth the right way, by building a culture that supports our mission and vision.”
The Grid solution
Addressing specific problems with specific solutions, all senior managers and 75 staff members engaged in Grid development activities designed for individuals and teams, tailored to their functional levels within the organization.
An HR manager at Maple said, “There is a lot of common sense and logic in Grid, and it’s amazing how important common sense and logic are for successful business. You have to practice using it on a daily basis to succeed, and Grid provides a way to do that. “We also value Grid because its message is as valuable for home and family as it is for business. Family is always an important part when considering any learning. People spend 80 percent of their day working, so they need to be happy, rewarded, and fulfilled.”
The Results
Maple’s Heavy Civil divisions specialize in water and wastewater treatment facilities. These divisions led a landmark design/build/operate project for a $16 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade in Banff, Alberta. The design and construction phase was completed on schedule (within 18 months) and on budget. Because Banff is located in a national park, the upgraded plant was designed under stringent environmental constraints, and now has some of the lowest discharge targets in North America. “This kind of track record has given us a pre-qualifying status for many of the large-scale projects that we bid on,” the HR manager commented.
In 2009 Maple-Reinders was recognized as one of Canada’s “Top 50 Best Employers to Work For” by the Globe and Mail newspaper. The HR manager says, “We believe that the Grid solutions greatly contributed to Maple’s success and continued profitability. We’re very proud of being in the top 50 on our first attempt!”
Project info:
- Maple Reinders
- Canada
- Construction