News

AMBA Newsletter: Summer 2023

The AMBA Summer 2023 Newsletter is now available! Join us in welcoming Todd Dyer, Regional Manager with Silvercote Canada, to our Board of Directors. Check out our event recaps and photos from our 2023 AGM and Golf Tournament. Announcing our 2023 Jim Mitchell Memorial Award and Bursary recipient, Andrew Hurley. Also, check out news from our members, Kent Freeland, Behlen Regional Sales Manager, a Project Profile by Metal Structure Concepts, and more!

Message from the Chair: July 2023

So far, 2023 has been a very busy year! Our Annual General meeting was probably one of our best with some amazing industry speakers and our golf tournament broke a record for both attendance and hole sponsorship.

If You Could Start Over, What Would You Do Different?

Think of all the decisions you made over the last five to 10 years that affected your future and where you are today. Now think of all those decisions you didn’t make you wish you had. Remember when you were busy signing new contracts, getting plenty of business, trying to juggle all your commitments, scheduling crews, putting out fires, and doing everything you could to keep everyone happy? During this time, it was hard to do everything you wanted to do. Because of the stress and workload, many construction business owners postponed making good critical decisions.

State of the Industry: July 2023

Inflation continues to be a hot topic, as many Canadian families struggle to meet their household budget. Although central banks continued to raise policy interest rates, inflation remains persistently stubborn. There will likely be lots written about the impact of historically rapid interest rate increases and the unintended consequences, which are sure to follow.

Message from the Executive Director: July 2023

It is certainly a good time to live and work in Alberta! With COVID in the rearview mirror and the provincial election behind us, the focus should now be on improving the economy. With a large provincial surplus, Alberta has led the country on a per capita basis in attracting people from within Canada and abroad to relocate here. This migration will increase the demand for housing and other services creating new business opportunities. With a number of multi-billion dollar projects being proposed for Western Canada in the resource sector, the construction industry should get ready for some very busy times.

Project Profile: Fraserway RV by Metal Structure Concepts

Family-owned Fraserway RV has been creating memorable camping experiences for Canadian families. Dedicated to quality products and exceptional customer experiences dates back to 1969 when Erdman Epp, founder of Fraserway RV, started his own RV manufacturing business. Erdman’s motto served as the foundation for a successful and growing RV business: “Never satisfied until good is better, and better is best!”

Kent Freeland Receives the WGI's Chairman's Award

Kent Freeland, Behlen Regional Sales Manager, was the Divisional Winner of the WGI’s Chairman’s Award, presented at the Behlen Industries 2023 Builder meeting.

Kent’s sales territory includes Alberta, Yukon, Eastern and Northern British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories. When Kent is not busy traveling this expansive region and serving on the AMBA board of directors, he enjoys camping and spending time with his family.

Congratulations to the 2023 AMBA Jim Mitchell Memorial Award and Bursary Recipient: Andrew Hurley

Andrew received the AMBA first-year Apprenticeship Bursary at the AMBA 2022 AGM. It was exciting to present Andrew with the second-year bursary, as well as the first-year Jim Mitchell Memorial Award – a combined total of $2,250! Andrew was out of town working on erecting another metal building and could not be present to receive the award and bursary in person, but he is very appreciative of Bexson Construction’s and AMBA’s support.

AMBA 2023 Golf Tournament Recap

We had a record number of golfers and hole sponsors: 78 golfers participated, and 11 golf holes were sponsored! Golfing and socializing with our friends and industry partners made for a fantastic day, despite the cool and rainy weather.

AMBA 2023 AGM Recap

Thank you to all those who attended AMBA’s AGM this year and to our honorable guest speakers, Nicole Mahoney and Raymond Massey. Nicole and Ray work extremely hard to support and empower our trades and we are very fortunate to have them leading our policy and program development.