When a family-run Aboriginal company reached out to a non-Aboriginal company with global expertise, it created a successful leading integrated site support services partnership.
The Bouchier Group, an earthworks, civil construction and site services company based in Fort McKay, Alta., in the heart of the Athabasca oilsands, was looking to grow and further enhance its services. This was to remain competitive as companies were increasingly handing over work to large engineering, procurement and construction firms that didn’t necessarily have the same history, and in some cases, the same commitment to local development.
While owner Nicole Bouchier had two road maintenance companies within Alberta in mind, the first wouldn’t even entertain a discussion, saying her company was too small. She then turned her attention to Carillion, one of Canada’s leading integrated support services companies. The company was already scheduled to visit the region with an aim to expand in the oil sands. The vice-president who visited happened to have history with a Fort McKay joint venture and knew the region very well.
"Our goals and values seemed to align very well, but most importantly, they were willing to leave control with us, and take a minority stake," says Bouchier who owns the company with her husband David.
After a lengthy negotiation process, the two companies publicly announced the creation of The Bouchier Carillion Group in 2012. This venture allows the partners to leverage global expertise, deliver exceptional service locally and maintain an advantageous position in the region.
"The Carillion partnership has been a positive investment for growth of the business. Our objective with the partnership was to widen our service offering to our clients, and to become the region’s leading provider of integrated site support services," says Bouchier, whose company retains 51 per cent ownership.
"We are able to provide the local delivery and leverage global expertise as required."
The company’s wider capabilities now include integrated support and common site service solutions and strategic asset planning and management.
It’s a partnership in every respect, with local, Aboriginal management has access to global experience and resource while maintaining majority control, adds John MacCuish, Carillion Canada executive vice-president, services.
The partnership answers to a board and tackles challenges and opportunities in true partnership style. Carillion brings global expertise, expertise and resource, and Bouchier brings local knowledge and delivery. Carillion’s international relationship with a multi-national oilsands company, for example, and Bouchier’s local delivery enabled The Bouchier Carillion Group to bid on and win a hard facilities management contract in Alberta. The Bouchier Carillion group is a successful, long-term partnership based on trust, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
The company is overseen by a board of directors with the partners having equal representation. The board meets quarterly, sets strategy and reports the financials.
"We very much rely on Carillion’s global expertise as required. We call it a ‘pull down.’ When we see a need for a new system, and expanded bid, I will reach out to Carillion and ask for support," explains Bouchier.
Other Carillion people who have joined, have moved their families to Fort McMurray and became full-time, permanent Bouchier employees.
"Something that we insist on in order to truly be local to the region," she adds.
"Most importantly, the company is still managed daily and controlled by David and myself. I am still at the office or on a project site each day of the week managing the business."
MacCuish added the partnership is based on shared values, ethics, a strong commitment to sustainability and a leading safety record with exceptional leaders in the Bouchiers.
"What mattered most to us about Bouchier was that it’s a well-run company. We’re doing work together that neither of us could have tackled on our own," he says.
In addition, Carillion’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business confirms its commitment to being a good business partner and strengthening its corporate performance in Aboriginal relations, including prosperity in Aboriginal communities.
As part of Bouchier’s agreement with Carillion, they both signed a social and economic policy that is revisited each year.
"This ensures that I have their awareness and commitment to the areas we consider very important: Aboriginal employment, local procurement and community development," notes Bouchier.
Her company has been able to successfully maintain its individuality and Aboriginal perspective within the partnership. The company’s values, culture, focus on safety, delivery of the highest standards for the clients and the commitment to, and investment in, our community remains the same.
She adds the partnership is unique to the region as the local Aboriginal company has remained majority owner.
"We hope the model of partnership that has been created will encourage other local Aboriginal businesses to persevere to achieve the success they wish to accomplish."
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