Weldco Companies celebrates 75 Years

May 21, 2020

In 1945, Gordon Reelie founded Weldco in post-war Vancouver, on a prime downtown spot on 2^nd Avenue. From a humble welding shop whose name said it all (welding + company = Weldco) came the impressive corporation we know today that designs and manufactures specialized heavy equipment attachments for OEMs and their Dealers.

Weldco expanded to Edmonton in the early 1970s, and in the 1980s, officially named Edmonton as its head office and merged with Beales Steel Products. The Vancouver operation eventually moved to Langley in 1991, and the next expansion was in Barrie, Ontario in 2006.

Although our roots were set in the growing forestry sector of British Columbia, we began to offer heavy equipment dealers specialized attachments in the construction, resource, mining, scrap recycling and road maintenance industries, spanning across North American, Europe, Asia and South America. Additionally, we are the only Canadian manufacturer of truck-mounted cranes, competing with some of the largest crane manufacturers in the world while earning market share leadership in Western Canada.

Product Innovation

A high level of engineering and design goes into our product mix. Tolerances have become significantly tighter as the equipment our attachments work with has evolved over the years, which works well for us, as we have built our reputation on providing in-house, engineered solutions. Our dedicated engineering teams at all manufacturing facilities ensures that we continue to meet and exceed regional design expectations.

We are in the business of making our customers more successful. We appreciate and respect the trust of our customers who depend on our products, services and technology to add value to their business. The significant investments we’ve made in smart technology, manufacturing processes, raw material sourcing, engineering and new product development have allowed us to stay competitive in a very demanding industry.

Weldco has also been extremely fortunate to work with such amazing suppliers and service providers; they play an integral role in the daily operations of all our branches. Not only have we seen the long-term benefits of investing in partnerships with key suppliers, but we owe much of our continued success to maintaining these important relationships.

Community Focused

Weldco continues to make a difference in the communities we serve and we support many organizations including but never limited to: the United Way, NAIT, the Canadian Centre for Welding & Joining, YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, CURE Foundation, Prostate Cancer Canada, Children’s Aid Society, local Food Banks, and The Terry Fox Foundation.

Weldco Companies is also a proud member of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC). This organization represents the Inuvialuit of the North West Arctic and is a 100% Inuvialuit-owned for-profit holding company. IDC has cultivated a diversified, growth-oriented portfolio as the business arm of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). Weldco is committed to giving the Inuvialuit beneficiaries access to employment opportunities.

Future Focused

In addition to being ISO 9001:2015 certified in the Edmonton branch, which speaks to the commitment we have made to quality and safety across our brands, our management team is committed to best practices to protect our staff and our customers.

We work together to build a culture that empowers our team and focuses on results. This strong culture is rooted in safety and is the backbone to our success. Our famous quote: “We will conduct our business on the principle that our work is never so urgent or important that we cannot take time to do it safety,” speaks volumes in our continuous commitment to our employees.

Each team member trusts in one another and everyone challenges each other to be better, knowing that everyone plays a critical role in the future success of Weldco regardless of position or title. Understanding the needs of customers and the values of the team have been the key to Weldco’s 75 years of success.

Weldco’s Edmonton Facility Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification

October 17, 2018

Weldco-Beales Manufacturing (WBM) recently achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Edmonton facility, proving the company’s ongoing commitment to quality.

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, which is comprised of a team of experts who develop various standards to ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of products and services. ISO 9001:2015 is the most recent standard that refers to quality management. This certification signifies that WBM’s quality management system meets the specified requirements with effective processes in order to continuously meet and enhance customer satisfaction.

ISO Standards are recognized and requested by customers worldwide. Although it is not required in the attachment manufacturing industry, certification is required in other industries such as automotive manufacturing. Maintaining certification requires evolving procedures to consistently meet customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements in all products and services provided.

This certification further reinforces the Weldco Companies Quality Policy:

Our most important measure of quality is the satisfaction of our customers.

We will maintain their full confidence in Weldco Companies as the premier manufacturer and repairer of heavy equipment attachments and cranes.

The achievement of the quality objectives will be determined by our resources, our organization and above all our attitude towards quality.

Our quality objectives are designed to challenge our organization through continual improvement, innovative ideas in consultation with our customers and suppliers, while maintaining high quality

standards in a safe and healthy work environment.

Going forward, Weldco looks forward to certifying its other branches in Langley, Barrie, and Fort McKay, while maintaining certification at the Edmonton branch. The company will always strive for unparalleled excellence in providing safe, high quality manufactured solutions to the industry and its customers.

Click here for more information on the International Organization for Standardization.

2018 Leaders Award Winners

July 6, 2018

Congratulations to the Business in Edmonton 2018 Leaders Award Winners, including Darren Lunt, President of Weldco Companies!

Each winning leader was assessed on various criteria and selected by an independent panel of judges. This award especially recognizes Darren’s determination to constantly enhance business, contribute to the community, and provide guidance to young professionals.

Anybody who has worked with Lunt would unanimously agree that this award is very well-deserved. He is actively involved in supporting the Weldco team to ensure continuous improvement in customer, employee, and community satisfaction. His clear vision is what guides employees and his proactive encouragement is what keeps them going.

Click here to learn about each 2018 Leaders Award Winner and see Darren’s feature on page 32.

Click here to view Darren’s Business in Edmonton video.

Tough Attachments Built for Tough Environments

June 25, 2018

This WBM Cable Reeler is ready to ship back to the customer after being given a second life. Often, when a WBM attachment outlives its original carrier, our team can make any necessary adjustments to fit-up to the next one.

Not only have WBM attachments been known to live through more than one carrier at times, but there have also been cases when a WBM attachment survives (with barely a scratch) a machine-destroying crash or roll over. At Weldco-Beales Manufacturing, customers can be confident that they will always receive the highest quality product, built tough to endure even the harshest conditions. Each attachment is designed and manufactured to provide enhanced durability and performance so you get the best long-lasting return from your product.

2018 NAIT Alumni Awards

June 20, 2018

Congratulations to NAIT’s 2018 Alumni Award recipients, Kathy Le, Carolyn Kincade, Ronda Gras, and Weldco Companies’ President, Darren Lunt! Each year, these awards recognize NAIT alumni for their outstanding accomplishments and continued support for NAIT and the community.

NAIT’s most prestigious alumni award, the Alumni Award of Distinction was granted to Darren Lunt. The award recognizes his professional success along with his dedication and contributions to NAIT’s JR Shaw School of Business. As a member of both the Management and Marketing program advisory committees, Darren aims to ensure that NAIT continues to provide students with the skills and tools that employers seek. He also regularly contributes case studies to the sales management class curriculum to give students practical experience analyzing and strategizing for real scenarios.

“I am very proud of my association with NAIT, both as an alumnus and as an industry partner. NAIT’s focus on providing employer-driven, hands-on, practical education has directly impacted the development of an incredible talent pool that crosses all aspects of my organization. Our Alberta operations are proudly represented by many NAIT Ooks. The value I personally received from NAIT drives me to give back where I can. Much of the success I’ve enjoyed throughout my career can be directly linked back to the start NAIT provided.” – Darren Lunt, President of Weldco Companies

Click here to see the news release, for more information about NAIT and its alumni awards.

SARM Convention Sponsorship

March 27, 2018

Weldco-Beales Mfg. (WBM) provided coffee to the attendees of the 113^th Annual SARM (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities) Convention and Tradeshow, March 13-14.

SARM is an independent association that takes on the role as the ‘Voice of Rural Saskatchewan’, representing rural municipal government before senior governments. This convention is packed with important meetings and events that provide association members with an opportunity to participate in governmental resolutions, discussions, and educational workshops.

WBM representatives were happy to network with the municipality members and learn more about how WBM can help boost their road maintenance successes. Our team is always working hard to continuously improve our attachment lines (blades, plows, snow wings, etc.) and services to enhance our business partners’ success and ultimately operator productivity.

Visit www.sarm.ca for more information about SARM.

WBM Ejector Bodies

March 22, 2018

5 Reasons to Switch to a WBM Ejector Body

Market demand for Ejector Bodies has led Weldco-Beales Manufacturing (WBM) to add Above Ground models to the company’s suite of Ejector Bodies, after many years of providing Underground models.

WBM’s Ejector Bodies utilize dual eject cylinders, which push the material out without raising the body. This articulated truck modification is an effective replacement for traditional dump-style bodies in situations where overhead clearance is restricted and/or the ground is uneven. Companies recognize the following proven benefits of making the switch from dump bodies to WBM Ejector Bodies:

Improved Safety and Stability
By eliminating the need to raise the body, the risk of hitting overhead obstacles is reduced. The risk of the machine tipping is also lowered due to enhanced stability. As a result, the operator is able to dump more safely in height-restricted areas and on uneven/sloped or softened grounds.
Enhanced Control
The operator is better able to control the dump speed and the spread of material by adjusting both the ejection speed and driving speed. The material can therefore be spread more evenly and over a larger distance.
Dumping in Height-Restricted Areas
Dumping does not require additional height clearance, making it easier to dump under bridges, power lines, or even underground. If the machine fits, it can dump.
Minimized Material Retention
Since the material is physically pushed out, retained material in the body after dumping is nearly eliminated. This leaves more room in the body for the next load.
Enhanced Productivity
Enhanced productivity is the result of the combined previous four benefits. With fewer height and ground obstacles, the material can be dumped where it needs to be without involving other machines. With enhanced control, the material can be spread in the first pass without the need to slow down between dump and return. Minimized material retention increases the size of each dump for faster cycle times.

WBM Ejector Bodies are available in various models for all articulated dump truck brands and sizes. Each is designed to use the original manufacturers’ components including cylinders, sequencing valve, pins, and bushings where applicable. This makes installation easy; after the original dump bed is removed, the WBM Ejector Body is put into place and connected using those factory components. When underground installation is required, Weldco manufactures the components sized to fit in the elevators and then those components are welded together and installed underground.