On Thursday, Wedler Engineering LLP will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Courtenay branch, officially opening for business on Jan. 12, 2007.
Operating out of the basement of Bazett Land Surveying, the original staff included two engineers. Growing steadily over the last decade, Wedler Engineering now employs four engineers, four technologists, an office administrator and two field inspectors. The physical office has grown also, with an initial relocation in 2008 to a new space on Cousins Avenue that was renovated in 2016 to add three more work stations.
Weathering the 2008 recession was challenging for the Courtenay branch, but being retained by Public Works and Government Services Canada for civil engineering services on a two-year contract in 2010 helped the business through the tough post-recession years of 2009 to 2011. Wedler Courtenay was awarded the same contract again in 2012, 2014 and most recently 2016. Providing services to developers in the Peace River Country of northern B.C., along with all three prairie provinces, further helped diversify the Courtenay branch’s client base.
Courtenay branch highlights include working for the Comox Valley Regional District to prepare the Regional Water Supply Strategy, being the engineers for the new Holiday Inn Express, providing engineering services to the Prime Chophouse and Wine bar, and completing the K’omoks First Nation’s new administration building on Comox Road.
“Considering how few businesses survive five, let alone 10 years, we’re happy to be in business, and thrilled by our success,” said Courtenay branch manager Andrew Gower. “We couldn’t do it without our team, the rest of Wedler supporting us, and of course, our clients.”
The business milestone will be celebrated by community members in the same building at the K’omoks First Nation on Thursday, Jan. 12. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are available from the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce at comoxvalleychamber.com.
Wedler has been a strong corporate citizen in the Comox Valley, providing sponsorship to various organizations including the Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Club, Boomer’s Legacy, Trail Bicycle racing team, and the 2015 National Aboriginal Day celebrations at the K’omoks First Nation featuring A Tribe Called Red. The Wedler Courtenay team has also participated in community building events including Car Free Sunday, Elevate the Arts and TEDxComoxValley.
Wedler has also been a long-time supporter of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, including sponsoring the annual Young Entrepreneurs Award since its inception in 2012.
