PAGE B4 – January 2009 – The GTA Construction Report
Young owner leads Ross Clair
into exciting,
bright
future
GINA MONACO – The GTA Construction Report
time but he’s not without his worries, espe-
cially for the industry. “We are growing by
Although Ross Clair Contractors & Con-
leaps and bounds and we are up to the chal-
struction Management has been operating
lenges facing our industry including the cur-
since 1972, the company has a new direc-
rent economic downturn,” he said. But for
tion and an exciting vision for future
Richardson, there are three areas of the in-
growth.
dustry that concern him: the lack of young,
“This company is different from other
skilled workers, the new environmental re-
companies because we are targeting a spe-
quirements and the adversarial approach to-
cific niche where there are many opportuni-
wards conflict resolution.
ties for growth,” said Alex Kiraly,
“We have seen a decline in the quality of
vice-president, business development. “We
our trades people,” he said. “No one wants
have a bright future ahead of us.”
to get their hands dirty anymore and I won-
Much of the excitement has to do with
der where we’ll be 20 to 30 years from
Sean Richardson, son of the late John
now.”
Richardson who started the company. He’s
As for the new environmental require-
young, energetic and the kind of industry
knowledge that you only find in someone
University of Toronto, Gerstein Science Information Centre (Historic Building)
ments, Richardson agrees that the LEED re-
quirements are good for the industry and the
who has worked in this field for a lifetime.
The new St. Ilja Macedonian
environment but not everyone is on board
And indeed, Sean has been there – getting
Currently, Ross-Clair is working on the
his hands dirty – working on job sites for his
Orthodox Church
$30 million revitalization project of the
with it yet. “This is new to most of us and
we all have to learn it and that includes our
father
Toronto Reference Library at Yonge and
’s projects, starting as a labourer and
sub-trades and suppliers,” he added. “As we
learning the business from the ground up.
Bloor Streets in downtown Toronto. This is
go forward, the “green” movement will con-
This insight and his ability to surround
the first significant renovation since it
tinue to evolve. Right now all our govern-
himself with a team of forward-thinking
opened in 1977 and is being designed by the
ment projects are “green” and we’ve learned
staff almost guarantees steady growth. As
building’s original architects, Moriyama and
quickly, which has given us an edge over
they expand, they are well positioned to
Teshima. The first-phase, awarded to Ross-
other companies.”
offer their specialized knowledge to their
Clair, is the construction of an event space
Finally, the adversarial approach to con-
niche clients. This is where Kiraly enters the moting our company my job is to develop
for large-scale programs, conferences and
flict resolution has Richardson stymied.
picture. It’s his job to find that new business. the best possible professional relationships
community events.
“The only ones who benefit are the lawyers,
“We do a lot of government work. One with these clients, real estate brokers, de-
Working in downtown Toronto, at a busy
at our expense. There was once a time when
third of our business is interiors, one-third velopers, architects, interior designers, con-
intersection has been challenging. Angus
suppliers, contractors and the sub-trades
new construction, so we are known among sultants, and the specialized project
Ogg, executive vice-president of Ross-Clair,
could sit down and resolve issues among
government agencies,” he said. “The re- management companies.”
who is also the project manager for the Ref-
maining one-third of our business is the pri- Government projects are at the core of
erence Library, acknowledges these chal-
themselves. Now everyone calls a lawyer
vate client. W
lenges. “First there was the rainy summer
and they’re making too much money on us.
.
e are targeting this client as an Ross-Clair’s business, which include of-
opportunity for future growth. When pro- fices, correctional facilities, hospitals, and
We worked very hard to make sure every-
In the long run that’s going to have a nega-
libraries. Work is not limited to the GTA.
thing was watertight until we could get a
tive impact on everything we do.”
The new Mercedes Benz dealership
Ross-Clair
roof over the structure. Then there was the
Richardson is smart, has strong opinions
’s market includes all of Ontario,
in Whitby
with current ongoing projects in Kingston
logistics of hoisting steel and glass up to a
and is concerned about the future of an in-
and Peterborough.
rooftop in the middle of downtown traffic.”
dustry he loves – just the right type of per-
“We are adapting our growth strategy in
The shell is up and enclosed, and the
son to lead his father’s company into a
these changing times and we are targeting
project is well underway to meeting its
future fraught with challenges but which
markets that are not influenced by any eco-
deadlines.
also has enormous opportunities.
nomic downturn like educational facilities,
For Sean Richardson, it’s an exciting
colleges for example,” Kiraly added.
Business Travel International, Head Office
Congratulations to Ross Clair Contractors
& Construction Management
Concrete Formwork • Concrete Finishing
Concrete Cutting, Drilling, and Coring
Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, Residential
12711 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 1A2
Tel: (416) 224-0010 Fax: (416) 224-1236
email: bstyleconcretegroup@gmail.com
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