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There seems to be no let-up in office tower construc-tion in downtown, condominiums are rising or are in the serious planning stages, and Calgary is still an exciting target for light industrial.
Looking over the map in the BOMA Calgary Building Guide, it is easy to see the industrial growth up and down the east side of the city.
A good example of the confidence in Calgary is the focus here by Vancouver-based Beedie Development Group.
It began its foray into Alberta with the development of Highland Park Industrial in Airdrie where the massive Costco warehouse is located, and has now branched out into the southeast with a 130,000-square-foot distribu-tion centre for Tree of Life and other warehousing and industrial bays in East Lake, Starfield Industrial Park and its biggest to date, a 235,000-square-foot centre for PTW Energy Services in Frontier Business Park.
The sky might look a little darker for some but the sky is not falling on Calgary.
There seems to be no let-up in office tower construction
in downtown, condominiums are rising or are in the serious planning stages, and Calgary is still an exciting target for
light industrial.
Dream believes in better communities to live in and work in. Our goal is to be Canada’s top real estate investment, development and management company.
dream.ca
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 YearsWesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
Strong branding and product recognition has been good for Wesure. Their pre-engineered structural sup-port columns, with solutions including steel beams,
custom hangers and connecting plates, are well known in the construction industry.
“Today, when you go and talk to the guys at a construc-tion site, they all call it a Wesure Column – even if it’s a competitor’s,” says Devon Koss, CEO.
“We’re like Kleenex,” says Cory Koss, CFO and Devon’s brother. “Thanks to the marriage of our column and the new engineering practices that came out in the ’80s, homebuild-ers have been able to increase their spans, so you get more usable living space in a house. Before, in order to support a house, you’d have to put in a line of little teleposts right down the middle of the basement, making it useful only for storage. As builders saw the potential to create more open living spaces, they started putting in home theatres and massive living areas that were never possible before.
“We’re part of the reason why Alberta’s homes look the way they do now, compared to the ’80s and before,” Cory Koss continues, “when they were just mostly bungalows.”
Tony Fisher, a manager who has been with Wesure for five years, explains one of the key features of the columns: “When you stand up one of our columns for installation, the heads are welded on so there is no possibility that it will slip and fall off.” The fact that there are no loose bits and pieces to misplace or shift out of place makes the column a user-friendly favourite of contractors.
But structural support columns are only part of Wesure’s business. As the company has evolved, so have their custom fabrication offerings. Wesure’s talented team works hard to create solutions for the specialized needs of many industries. They build practical steel applications, from the straightfor-ward to complex personalized work.
Originally, when WEstern SUlphur REmelters Limited was
founded in 1975, the company was much more niche focused, with patented machinery that would re-melt blocks of sulphur, so it could be used for different purposes, such as fertilizers and matches. As such a large byproduct of gas processing plants, it was lucrative for gas companies to re-melt their sulphur.
“But in the ’80s, sulphur took a dive in pricing, so Wesure had to reinvent itself,” says Devon Koss. “Through great rela-tionships with our customers, we realized there was a need for a heavy-duty support column in the housing industry.”
At the time, there was no product like it in the market-place. Wesure moved in and registered yet another patent, this time for the column. Then they diversified some more,
L - R: brothers Cory and Devon Koss, and Tony Fisher
WESURE CELEBRATES 40 YEARSWritten and photographed by Tiffany Burns
this time for the column. Then they diversified some more,
79
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
They utilize industry-leading innovations like QR codes to identify their products and instructional videos on their website to assist in proper product installation.
into custom manufacturing for large customers in the for-estry, housing and oil and gas industries.
“With our own product lines, we have the ability to get through downturns in the economy,” says Devon Koss.
Wesure is a family company, run by brothers Devon and Cory Koss, along with their mother Valerie Koss. Their offices are in the same building as their steel workshop, covering a corner of an industrial section of Calgary’s southeast, just off Glenmore Trail. Their investment in employees has resulted in long-term staff, several of which have been with the company for 10 years. Seventy-five per cent have been with Wesure for over five years.
As they celebrate 40 years in the industry, the Kosses believe that much of Wesure’s success boils down to rela-tionships, within the company and externally.
Manager Tony Fisher’s entire job is focused on relationship building, from distributors to installers. He also sits on multiple committees that oversee construction in Calgary. That not only keeps Wesure on top of market changes, it is also part of being a good steward in developing best construction practices used in Calgary and Canada. He also keeps tabs on industry trends, so that Wesure management can adapt to market demands.
“My function in dealing with customers is solution driven,” says Fisher. Wesure is quick to jump in and assist, whenever it is able.
“We’ve tried to shorten the communication gap by having someone like me out there, which is something that doesn’t currently exist with our competitors. Our customers know they have a shortcut. In the homebuilding industry, time is money. We try to respond quickly, so that the customer is served best within our ability.”
Wesure’s ISO certification is a means to internally find opportunities to improve. They don’t point fingers when things don’t go as planned. Instead, they believe in a mindset that allows the company to engage employees at all levels to become more active in finding potential issues, enterprising solutions and implementing them.
Always seeking new ways to improve customer service, Wesure takes their patent-seeking innovative can-do atti-tude beyond manufacturing. They utilize industry-leading innovations like QR codes to identify their products and instructional videos on their website to assist in proper product installation.
When money matters but people count
www.kossaccounting.ca
403.269.2662
Congratulations Wesure on 40 years
of success!
rogersinsurance.ca
Local 403.296.2400Toll Free 1.800.565.8132 600 - 1000 Centre St NCalgary, Alberta
Congratulations to Wesure Metal Manufacturing on your 40th Anniversary!
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
Congratulations to Wesure on your 40th Anniversary!
4025 - 90 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB
403.720.5970
Congratulations to Wesure on your 40th Anniversary!
Congratulations Wesure! Proud Of Our Association.
Phone - 403 313 3889 | Fax - 403 276 6331
Apply at Cintas.ca
604.852.9664
Congratulations to Wesure on your
Anniversary!
OJD Enterprises Ltd. thanks you for our partnership since 1998 and congratulates you
on your 40th Anniversary!
[email protected] 403.203.0808
Design and Drafting Services
congratulates
Wesure on 40 years of success! Wishing you many more.
Congratulations on your 40 years in business, HPC is proud to be your choice for
paint & coatings supply.
www.hpc.ca
CONGRATULATIONSWesure Metal Manufacturing
On 40 years of successful business!
P 403.236.4050 [email protected]
3332 114 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2Z 3V6
Wesure Metal Manufacturing
On your 40th Business Anniversary!
Congratulations
www.SERVAgroup.com | T 403-269-7847
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
They utilize industry-leading innovations like QR codes to identify their products and instructional videos on their website to assist in proper product installation.
into custom manufacturing for large customers in the for-estry, housing and oil and gas industries.
“With our own product lines, we have the ability to get through downturns in the economy,” says Devon Koss.
Wesure is a family company, run by brothers Devon and Cory Koss, along with their mother Valerie Koss. Their offices are in the same building as their steel workshop, covering a corner of an industrial section of Calgary’s southeast, just off Glenmore Trail. Their investment in employees has resulted in long-term staff, several of which have been with the company for 10 years. Seventy-five per cent have been with Wesure for over five years.
As they celebrate 40 years in the industry, the Kosses believe that much of Wesure’s success boils down to rela-tionships, within the company and externally.
Manager Tony Fisher’s entire job is focused on relationship building, from distributors to installers. He also sits on multiple committees that oversee construction in Calgary. That not only keeps Wesure on top of market changes, it is also part of being a good steward in developing best construction practices used in Calgary and Canada. He also keeps tabs on industry trends, so that Wesure management can adapt to market demands.
“My function in dealing with customers is solution driven,” says Fisher. Wesure is quick to jump in and assist, whenever it is able.
“We’ve tried to shorten the communication gap by having someone like me out there, which is something that doesn’t currently exist with our competitors. Our customers know they have a shortcut. In the homebuilding industry, time is money. We try to respond quickly, so that the customer is served best within our ability.”
Wesure’s ISO certification is a means to internally find opportunities to improve. They don’t point fingers when things don’t go as planned. Instead, they believe in a mindset that allows the company to engage employees at all levels to become more active in finding potential issues, enterprising solutions and implementing them.
Always seeking new ways to improve customer service, Wesure takes their patent-seeking innovative can-do atti-tude beyond manufacturing. They utilize industry-leading innovations like QR codes to identify their products and instructional videos on their website to assist in proper product installation.
www.kossaccounting.ca
403.269.2662
Congratulations Wesure on 40 years
of success!
rogersinsurance.ca
Local 403.296.2400Toll Free 1.800.565.8132 600 - 1000 Centre St NCalgary, Alberta
Congratulations to Wesure Metal Manufacturing on your 40th Anniversary!
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
Congratulations to Wesure on your 40th Anniversary!
4025 - 90 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB
403.720.5970
Congratulations to Wesure on your 40th Anniversary!
Congratulations Wesure! Proud Of Our Association.
Phone - 403 313 3889 | Fax - 403 276 6331
Apply at Cintas.ca
604.852.9664
Congratulations to Wesure on your
Anniversary!
OJDOJDOJD Enterprises Ltd.
OJDOJD Enterprises Ltd.
OJDOJD Enterprises Ltd.
OJDOJD Enterprises Ltd. thanks you for our partnership since 1998 and congratulates you
on your 40th Anniversary!
[email protected] 403.203.0808
Design and Drafting Services
congratulates
Wesure on 40 years of success! Wishing you many more.
Congratulations on your 40 years in business, HPC is proud to be your choice for
paint & coatings supply.
www.hpc.ca
CONGRATULATIONSWesure Metal Manufacturing
On 40 years of successful business!
P 403.236.4050 [email protected]
3332 114 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2Z 3V6
Wesure Metal Manufacturing
On your 40th Business Anniversary!
Congratulations
www.SERVAgroup.com | T 403-269-7847
“ THE CHAMBER PLUGS ME INTO OUR CITY.” GIANNA MANES President & CEO, Enmax Corp.
Leading the public conversation on issues important to your business. From energy and power, to market access and affordable housing, the Chamber is the trusted business voice that policy makers, business leaders and media turn to for information on issues important to Calgary business.
Keep your business informed with the Calgary Chamber.
Leading BusinessMARCH 2015
CalgaryChamber.com
IN THIS ISSUE...
• Key Issues for Oil and Gas in Calgary
• Chamber member Spotlights• Upcoming Events
Wesure Metal Manufacturing | 40 Years
“Inspectors can scan the QR codes and get everything they need to know,” says Cory Koss.
Looking forward, Wesure plans to expand, adding more square footage to their fabrication plant. They will also invest in more machinery. An automated paint line system, more processing equipment and additional cutting machines are all on the wish list. So is a larger capacity bay with wider and higher doors.
With all their steel sourced by local vendors, the company continually seeks new ways to support the marketplace as
much as possible. Management expects the Wesure presence at the upcoming Global Petroleum Show in June to assist that endeavour.
“We don’t see ourselves as your typical manufacturer that just builds parts because you ordered them,” says Devon Koss. “We are part of a solution to help your company meet your own goals. We’re not just about succeeding for ourselves. We want to see you succeed, because when you succeed, we succeed.” •
wesure.com
Top left: HSS tubing for column production. Bottom left: welding heads to columns. Right: Production floor.
