D.C.M. Mechanical Ltd. was part of the construction team for the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre.

Premier Business Partners:

EMCO Ltd. D.T. Fire Protection Ledcor Construction Trane Canada DC Sales Steady Heating & Ventilation Ltd. Paragon Ventilation Centron Construction Crosstown Heating M&R Sheetmetal Concept Electric

Even with the fast pace growth of Calgary these days, along with the shortage of skilled, qualified workers, companies such as D.C.M. Mechanical Ltd. are still able to find opportunities for growth.

Instead of waiting for the labor shortage to balance itself out, however, D.C.M. has taken a proactive approach to the situation. It is training laborers new to the trade by equipping them with knowledge in a hands-on technique along-side some of the most qualified foremen in plumbing, gas and other crafts.

The company also encourages existing staff members to apply for additional training, turning laborers into tradesmen. “Education seems to be in the forefront today and we are taking advantage of a number of educational and upgrading courses as well as numerous health and safety courses,” President Dan McHugh says.

“With prices rising and a severe shortage of qualified manpower, there are a lot of missed opportunities in our industry,” McHugh says. “The construction industry has actively promoted the trades by offering initiatives to enter. We’re trying to take the youth of today, train and develop them, making them the tradesmen of tomorrow and our future.”

McHugh, who founded D.C.M. in 1987, armed with only a few tools and a great dream, built the solid foundation on which D.C.M. was built. D.C.M. was incorporated in 1993 and the company was shortly thereafter joined by Wade Williams.

Vast Experience
McHugh has nearly 40 years’ experience in the plumbing and gas industry on commercial and industrial projects – combined with Wade Williams’ background of nearly 20 years in estimating and project management in commercial and residential construction – has built a strong reputation throughout the Alberta mechanical industry.

“We have a very good working relationship with general contractors in Calgary and this has been a major part in our success,” McHugh says. “Our relationship with general contractors and subcontractors is paramount in our philosophy. Our subcontractors are some of the best in the industry and are an integral part of our success.”

Experienced Employees
Today, the company has more than 60 employees and boasts annual revenues of more than $5 million (Canadian). The company’s services include installation of commercial and industrial mechanical components, ranging from plumbing, heating, ground source systems, HVAC systems and refrigeration systems.

With a staff that has more than 100 years of combined experience in the construction industry, D.C.M. provides value engineering when contractors bring the company into projects early on. “Our philosophy is service, and we really do strive to maintain that service to customers.” McHugh says.

“We try to work closely with the clients’ needs; what would be more beneficial as well as cost effective for them. For instance, if there is a product during tender, we will source an equal yet less expensive product, if required.”

D.C.M. established D.C.M. Mechanical Services Ltd. in 2001 to provide service, maintenance and repairs to various commercial and light industrial businesses on a 24-hour basis. This branch offers all plumbing services and repairs, minor repairs to newly installed controls, quarterly maintenance to rooftop units, as well as HVAC and pneumatics servicing. D.C.M. Mechanical Services caters to Calgary and the surrounding area, including Okotoks, High River, Airdrie and Cochrane. It also provides 24-hour emergency service, which is available through its Web site, directly linked to a technician paging system.

Safety Counts
D.C.M. says the health and safety of each employee is of primary importance. “Every member of our team, from managers to the individual worker, is responsible and accountable for safety on the job,” the company adds. “We believe that the benefits of safety are directly transmitted to our clients in completing our projects in a timely fashion.”

D.C.M. Mechanical says it undertakes projects to ensure:

• Safety to oneself
• Safety to other workers
• Protection to the public
• Protection to the company, public, and client property

“Accidents and mishaps can unduly delay a project, and as such, an injury-and accident-free workplace is the goal of every one of our team,” the company adds. “Our commitment to safety is of the utmost importance and ranks equally with production, quality and costs.

“D.C.M. Mechanical has a zero-tolerance policy regarding adherence to relevant safety rules, practices and regulations. Adherence is a condition of employment.”

In conjunction with the general contractor for each project, D.C.M. Mechanical says it compiles documentation with respect to hazard analysis, site inspection, training and tailgate meetings.