Chemco’s History

50+ Years of Growth and Success

Starting in 1963 as an electrical and instrumentation contractor we’ve grown to provide clients with a wide range of construction and maintenance services to keep their projects moving.

Our success is largely due to our founding core values. We put people first, we share an unyielding commitment to safety, and we are accountable to our clients, coworkers, community, and the environment.

The company was originally incorporated as Doug Smith Electric. The company consisted of a small workforce of approximately ten. Projects included commercial and institutional installations on schools and hospitals.

1963

The name changed to Chemco Electrical Contractors Ltd. The company branched into light industrial work in the oil and gas industry from its focus of commercial and institutional installations on schools and hospitals.

1978

WIth a new ownership group came new ideas, strengths and versatility. Chemco started to experience growth and began exclusively a heavy industrial contractor. Chemco developed strong construction management and constructability knowledge for all types of construction and maintenance projects.

1988

Chemco branches out into other provinces in Canada. Chemco’s comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety Program gains us our Certificate of Recognition.

1994

This became a milestone year for Chemco and once again tremendous growth. Annual sales volume exceeded 200 million and the workforce peaks at 2000 employees. Chemco’s man hours exceeded 3 million and we continued on the path of being the “contractor of choice.” Two new divisions were added to electrical and high voltage; mechanical instrumentation and fiber optics installations.

2005

Chemco moves into Saskatchewan and this resulted in new and exciting opportunities. Our workforce working in Saskatchewan peaks at 500.

 

2008

Proved to be Chemco’s biggest year ever. Our sales volume exceeded more than $391 million with man hours in excess of 4 million and a peak workforce of 2500. Chemco is capable of undertaking large industrial projects yet versatile enough to provide the services required by small individual contracts.

2010

Was a milestone year for Chemco. We transitioned from a private company with several owners to an employee owned organization with numerous owners throughout the organization. In July Chemco opened a Saskatchewan branch office, giving Chemco a permanent presence in the Saskatchewan marketplace. Establishing increased customer service and responsiveness to our Saskatchewan clients.

2011

Chemco forms civil/earthworks division.

2012

Chemco opens new Corporate Office in downtown Calgary.

2013

To meet clients needs we open our Electrical Engineering division. Our civil division grows with the addition of Location Cats based out of St. Paul, Alberta. Platinum Hydrovac becomes part of the Chemco Family providing Hydrovac and Horizontal Drilling services throughout Canada.

2014

Chemco consolidates operations by moving into the new Head Office in Nisku.

2015

Chemco and joint venture partner Misty Ventures form a new Aboriginal company, Mistychemco Contractors Ltd. Misty Chemco is a multi-disciplined company based in Saskatoon and focusing on the construction and maintenance of industrial projects in Saskatchewan. Access Matting becomes a part of our service offering.

2016

Chemco reaches 1 Million Safe Hours at Shell Scottford

2017

Chemco opens field office in Kitimat, BC

2018

Chemco welcomes newest partner Gitga’at First Nation in Kitimat, BC

2019

Chemco launches Railway Civil Construction and Maintenance Division

2020

Chemco Joins with Leduc Recreation Centre sponsoring the Chemco Arena

2021