< Previous 150 SymesJunctionarea upgrades and lobby renovations, through to larger building renovations and repositions. Project budgets typically range from $100,000 to $40 million. Clarkson remarks that renovation is often easier for the client but more difficult for Arguson. “With renovation, there’s a lot of unknowns. There’s always, ‘What’s going to happen if you open up this piece of wall?’” He admits that new construction is easier, “whereas, once you start demolition in an existing building, you can often find hidden surprises behind a wall which could lead to additional costs.” Despite the added challenges of renovation, the lower cost and availability of existing buildings far outweigh the risks and challenges. Many of Arguson’s previous projects were in build-ings constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, and many other struc-tures in Calgary and Toronto are currently in need of renova-tion to keep them functional. “The construction in those wasn’t exactly the best, so it’s really coming in and fixing the issues of the past,” Clarkson says.With this new expansion, Arguson relies on its Toronto-based headquarters to provide a top-down leadership approach. All the company’s East Coast offices are managed by employees trained at the Toronto headquarters. In addition, combined with video conferencing, this approach eliminates the disconnect common between headquarters and field offices. 10SAP Render“We try to keep everyone connected. It’s just not always possible for everyone to be one hundred percent beating the same drum,” Boucher explains, noting how the policy allows for better communication and coordination. “Everyone in the company has access to the leadership team.” However, Arguson’s growth has not come without setbacks along the way. “Eight years ago, we were a lot smaller company. “We had a niche in the market and we were doing the same kind of thing,” Clarkson reminisces, but the company had trouble finding employees capable of working to its standards. To solve this issue, it has become much more active in recruiting directly, has hired a human resources team and expanded its network of external recruitment resources. The company is also further developing its internship program to cultivate talented young students ready to join the workforce. 11At Clarkson’s first job, he switched departments periodically to get a firm overview of his chosen field and believes this experi-ence will help develop Arguson’s internship program, to recruit employees suited to its business model. “It’s hard to bring in people who understand, that can hit the ground running right away, and can understand the processes that we do, so that’s what we’re hoping for,” he says.Another unavoidable challenge is rising material and labour costs. Unfortunately, little can be done about the former, but Arguson has conducted extensive salary surveys to ensure it is paying competitive wages to its staff. While this is not, as Clarkson describes, an “exact science,” it has helped the company remain competitive and has also helped with employee retention. “We also have a core group of subtrades who understand what we do, and they understand the amount IBI Corporate CampusTopHat12TopHat of work that’s available, and they understand there’s a client to support,” Clarkson reports proudly. While Arguson has experienced amazing growth, Boucher hopes the company will further strengthen its presence within its established markets. “We’ve grown so much over the years that, in some respects, it would be good to con-solidate somewhat at this level,” he explains, “and ensure that the business is correctly structured and updated proce-dures are in place.” The company is poised to continue this positive growth, and recent changes will further enhance the company’s growth. “Once these are in place, I think we’ll be ready to continue moving to the next level.” Content Developed by Erin Wells | Designed by Victoria Lane“The company is developing its internship program to cultivate talented young students ready to join the workforce.”SUPPORTED BY As featured in2655 North Sheridan Way, Suite 400, Mississauga, ON L5K 2P8 | P: 905-848-0707 | F: 905-848-0708August 2019Next >