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King Weekly Sentinel https://kingsentinel.com/?p=2195 Export date: Tue Apr 30 15:45:35 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Robert B. Somerville helps lay the groundwork for the future By Mark Pavilons From underground communications lines to massive oil pipelines, King's Robert B. Somerville is improving Canada's energy infrastructure, a few metres at a time. The well known and well respected construction firm is a national leader in this niche industry, and King Township is fortunate they're calling this municipality home. Since setting up shop in King in 1994, the company has continued to grow, diversify and improve, to service new forms of renewable energy infrastructure in wind and solar. Their biggest current undertaking is a three-year project with the Inter Pipeline Fund, a major petroleum transportation, storage and natural gas liquids extraction business based in Calgary, Alberta. Western Canada is booming, according to Somerville corporate vice-president Gord Butson. Canada is now a major oil producer and trends are moving towards pumping and processing more Canadian oil, and less from offshore sources. The oil industry is a major economic force and thanks to the IPF project north of Edmonton, Somerville is currently employing well over 1,000 people. With its Western Canadian head office in Edmonton, Somerville is one of the big players in the western oil and gas industry. The company also has many partnerships with gas and hydro companies in several provinces. From utility upgrades to Union Station in downtown Toronto, to laying 48-inch pipelines, Somerville has done it all. They're well positioned, well managed and have a solid strategic direction to lead the industry. There are no doubts about it, the utility industry has undergone some major changes over the past few years. Moreover, thanks to utility locating services 1 it has never been easier for construction companies to carry out necessary underground installation and repair work. Butson noted they're well respected and with a solid track record they plan to be front and centre in Canada's growth. "That respect and reputation gets you work," he observed. With regards to Canada's oil production and price of gas at the pumps, Butson noted it's very costly to get the stuff out of the ground and refined. The price per litre reflects the huge investment in the industry. Regardless of the job, it's people that fuel Somerville and it's people they work with that make it all worthwhile. Butson, and Elizabeth Furlano, office manager and executive assistant, both noted Canada is wealthy in its unique communities, that differ from coast to coast. Their work is seldom boring, as each job is different and has its own unique challenges. Somerville has its own equipment and assets and maintains one of the largest pipeline and utilities fleets in the country. Staff are always learning and both Butson and Furlano noted they've learned a lot of patience over the years. For more than 50 years, Robert B. Somerville has connected communities through the installation of infrastructure "that makes energy reliably flow, from generation to generation." In 1954, Robert "Bud" Somerville, a Toronto-born pipeline contractor operating in the U.S., won a contract to install pipe in Ontario. He sent Jim Abraham to Toronto to become the company's first president. That same year, the company became a founding member of the Pipeline Association of Canada. In 1958, Robert McAlpine became an investor and, later, bought the balance of shares, with Robert B. Somerville Co. Ltd. becoming a McAlpine subsidiary. Employees in the King City office are drawn from the local communities as often as possible. Staff experience with Somerville ranges from newcomers to those who have been on staff since the company started. On the construction sites, personnel are also drawn from the local communities wherever possible. Many of the project workers look on Somerville as a preferred employer, returning to work with the company whenever the opportunity is available. This kind of consistency is key to building the relationships that make the company successful. Butson did note that this type of work requires skilled workers and tradespeople, which are sometimes in short supply. Its first directional drilling rig was purchased in 1989, making it one of the first to use the technology. The power and utilities division was launched in 1995. In 1997, Hydro Vac excavation was added as an alternative to mechanical digging. Its first renewable energy project was completed in 2003. Locally, it has a good working relationship with York Region and King Township. It plans to increase the efficiency of its Head Office site in King City, as the demands for its services continue to increase. Somerville handled the construction of King's infamous "Big Pipe." Butson noted with their expertise and technology, they can do smaller projects within local towns in a less invasive manner. They also completed work in Kettleby with little disruption to area residents. The company continues to explore and use new technologies to improve safety, quality, and customer satisfaction, and to reduce costs. Being a good corporate citizen, Somerville recognizes, and appreciates, its role in supporting the economy of local communities by creating jobs and contributing to local charities such as King Township Food Bank, Southlake Hospital, MacKenzie Health and the United Way. In addition to projects across Canada the company has worked in the Cayman Islands, the Dominican, and on a joint venture in Pennsylvania. The projects range from small individual installations to major lines for such corporations as Greater Toronto Airport Authority, Bell Canada, Enbridge; from local municipalities like King Township to large cities like Calgary and Toronto. Canada is rich in its natural resources. And King Township is rich in its vast array of world-class operations. For more on Somerville, visit www.rbsomerville.com. |
| Excerpt: From underground communications lines to massive oil pipelines, King’s Robert B. Somerville is improving Canada’s energy infrastructure, a few metres at a time. |
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Post date: 2013-07-30 14:52:10 Post date GMT: 2013-07-30 18:52:10 Post modified date: 2013-09-17 16:17:45 Post modified date GMT: 2013-09-17 20:17:45 |
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