James R. Stringer
This year has been [insert comment you’ve read 100 times already]. Though we can complain about the difficulties of the past year and plans we have all had to change, that’s life. What we can do is focus on helping those around us and striving to improve the communities we live in because who else is going to!
Some highlights of 2021:
Epic responded to over 220 call outs from our call centre (not including those to our team directly)
Epic completed the daily ABSA boiler checks over 6000 times between multiple facilities (using the electric bike when we can; more toys than Batman!)
Epic provided daily facility support for over 1.7 million square feet (not including weekend or temporary support)
This year is the first year we have had summer students since my cousins and I started working for the company (10+ years ago!). Both were a complete success and expressed an interest in helping Epic the following summer and may want to continue working in facility operations. When you have an industry that incorporates all the different trades and business disciplines, anyone is able to find something that interests them. Being able to provide students the ability to discover their interests and mentor them on a path to success continues to be one of the greatest rewards.
Epic continues to always put an emphasis on education and is proud to support and grow with our team:
Epic sponsored two operators this year to begin an HVAC apprenticeship and both successfully completed their first year. Along with this, Epic hired a 4th year HVAC apprentice as a true facility technician who will be completing her schooling next year.
Though the course was cancelled more than once over the pandemic – in April, Epic was finally able to put three of our operators through the cross-connection specialist course through night classes at SAIT. Though this adds to our services for completing the annual backflow inspections, it also allows us greater insights and adds to our knowledge pool so all of the Epic team benefits.
Furthering the skills of our operating staff – currently Epic has one operator enrolled in the 5th Class Power Engineering course, two completing their 4th Class designations – where one team member has completed Part A (or 2/4 of the exams), and myself working on my 3rd Class designation where I have completed Parts A1 and A2 with the hopes of writing the B1 government exam in January (or 5/8 of the exams).
With the investments in education, Epic will continue to and find additional ways to complete as much maintenance in-house, providing great value for our clients while engaging and challenging our team.
On the family portion of the business – Brian, my brother Allan, and myself were able to go on a small camping trip together for the first time in well over 10 years. We had to each take turns telling each other to stay off our phones every time we recevied an email but the family time was very welcome (didn’t catch any fish though!).
I was also able to have a few outings to the mountains again this year getting to the top of Ha Ling Peak, Devil’s Thumb (Lake Louise), Mist Mountain (this one was a vision quest), and Rimwall Summit to name a few. Always a great chance to show off some Epic swag too (stop rolling your eyes, Allan).
Though this is just a snapshot of the year, it is always a productive exercise to remind ourselves of the highlights as well as the struggles. For any business to thrive, you must look backward if you want to know how best to move forward. No matter what happens: next year is what we will make it and at Epic, we are continuing to grow and change.
We look forward to working with you this coming year!
