After years of working collaboratively with Enoch Cree Nation, Willows Construction Ltd. was purchased by the community in October 2023.
Chase Morin, Enoch Civil Construction’s CEO, spearheaded this acquisition back in 2022 as he saw the opportunity and fit that would come through owning a civil earthworks company. Morin says, “We want to be able to complete large scopes of work on projects within the Nation but also bring in revenue from off-reserve opportunities.”
This acquisition, supported unanimously by Grand Chief Cody Thomas and his council, was solidified in 2023.
Hundreds of millions in capital projects are scheduled for the Enoch Nation in the next few years. The acquisition of Willows ensures opportunities for their people and the development of reserve land. To date, Enoch Civil Construction’s workforce is 45 per cent Indigenous people.
Willows has worked in numerous industries, including oil and gas, industrial agriculture, reclamation and pipeline support, to name a few. This experience, reputation and safety record, combined with the announcement of multiple mega projects from Dow, Air Products and others, will yield prosperity for Enoch and its people and partners.
Both Chase and Bob feel bullish given the proximity to Edmonton, the Heartland region, the airport, and Acheson and Nisku industrial areas. These present real opportunities for the employment of Nation members, partner growth and revenue.
“We had worked together on numerous projects and have enjoyed a solid relationship for eight years,” says Willows, who now takes on the role of chief construction officer.
The acquisition includes the entire team from Willows: project management, coordination, survey, maintenance, operators and labour. Bob said this was key as the sale doesn’t represent retirement for him but an extended opportunity for the people that have dedicated years to Willows, the clientele and vendors, and the community of Enoch. He is staying on as the chief construction officer for the foreseeable future.
“What I truly appreciate is the commitment to the same values that we had at Willows: safety, quality and respect for people. We have always been transparent and pride ourselves on being easy to deal with. We are looking to provide quality in terms of safety and execution, and exceptional customer service.”
After years of working collaboratively with Enoch Cree Nation, Willows Construction Ltd. was purchased by the community in October 2023.
Chase Morin, Enoch Civil Construction’s CEO, spearheaded this acquisition back in 2022 as he saw the opportunity and fit that would come through owning a civil earthworks company. Morin says, “We want to be able to complete large scopes of work on projects within the Nation but also bring in revenue from off-reserve opportunities.”
This acquisition, supported unanimously by Grand Chief Cody Thomas and his council, was solidified in 2023.
Hundreds of millions in capital projects are scheduled for the Enoch Nation in the next few years. The acquisition of Willows ensures opportunities for their people and the development of reserve land. To date, Enoch Civil Construction’s workforce is 45 per cent Indigenous people.
Another key part of Enoch Civil Construction is the partnership network. Rosalie Gray from the Enoch Cree Nation heads up business and partnership development. In this role, Rosalie aligns partners that provide services that support our current operations or that meet the requirements of customers outside of what Enoch Civil does. Key aspects to our partnership relationships are employment opportunities, community support and involvement, scholarships, and developing and maintaining relationships with the other Enoch partners.
Enoch Civil Construction is looking to the future and is pleased with the volume of long-term projects on the horizon. They maintain all the required safety certifications like CoR, ISN and Avetta. ECC is bondable and owns a wide fleet of modern equipment and personnel, including skilled operators and labourers ready to serve customers throughout western Canada.
The acquisition of Willows by Enoch also included the amalgamation of Enoch Equipment Rentals which provides full suite rental services, ranging from job site trailers to heavy equipment for customers. This branch also plays a critical role in supporting Enoch Civil Construction, Enoch’s partners and outside customers by supplying ancillary equipment with the support of a full maintenance department and 24/7 customer support.
Enoch Civil Construction’s project management team brings years of experience. ECC’s project management team commits to thorough preparation, documentation and accurate progress reporting from initial project estimation to final close-out and handover.
With a steadfast commitment to safety, quality and community engagement, Enoch Civil Construction Limited Partnership is poised to become a leader in the civil earthworks industry. The strategic acquisition of Willows Construction Ltd. underlines a significant step forward for the Enoch Cree Nation, promising economic growth, job creation and strengthened partnerships both on and off-reserve. Enoch Civil Construction remains dedicated to upholding the values that have guided them thus far, ensuring sustainable development and prosperity for their people and partners. As they look to the future, ECC is ready to tackle new challenges and embrace opportunities, all while staying true to their mission of excellence and respect for the community they serve.
Learn more at http://www.willowsconstruction.ca/
