Houle Electric Is Turning 80: Celebrating a Legacy of Electrical Excellence and Teamwork
August 19, 2024
EB Horsman is delighted to celebrate a significant milestone with one of it’s esteemed customers, Houle Electric, as they mark their 80th anniversary this year. For eight decades, Houle has demonstrated unwavering dedication, innovation, and excellence in their industry. EB Horsman extends it’s heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for continued success and growth in the years to come.
Check out EB Horsman’s interview with Houle and what they are planning for the next 80 years below.
Celebrating 80 years of Business in BC
This year marks a significant milestone for Houle Electric as they celebrate 80 years of unparalleled excellence in the electrical industry. Since its inception, Houle Electric has built a stellar reputation for delivering innovative solutions, exceptional service, and unwavering commitment to quality. Our long-standing partnership with Houle Electric has been a testament to their dedication and expertise, enabling us to achieve great success together. Join us as we reflect on the remarkable journey of Houle Electric and explore the stories and insights from those who have been an integral part of this incredible legacy.
What milestones has Houle achieved over its 80-year history, and how have these milestones shaped your brand identity and values?
It all began in 1944 when Lionel Houle and his father opened Houle Electric in Port Alberni, to complement their existing furniture store and further serve the needs of their community. In search of opportunity, Lionel moved his business across Northern BC and even to the Northwest Territories in the 1950s, before settling his family down in the growing city of Burnaby, BC. This is where he would establish Houle’s headquarters and continue to expand the business.
After decades of determination and hard work, Houle became employee-owned in 1980. Despite a challenging economy in the mid-80s, Houle was able to purchase a new head office building in Burnaby that filled up quickly as they grew and took on more projects.
In 1997, Robert Lashin was appointed as the President of Houle. Robert’s strong ethics, passion for customer service, and mutual respect for everyone would help further establish Houle’s values and culture of collaboration. For the next 20 years, Houle experienced exponential growth and worked on many award-winning projects including Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Kitimat Modernization project, and Parq Casino.
Today, Houle has become BC’s leading electrical contractor and systems integrator, trusted to deliver some of the province’s most complex projects. Houle is a company that puts people first–empowering communities through local projects that positively impact people’s lives. From hospitals, universities, and shopping centres, to airports, shipping terminals, and sustainable power infrastructure, they’re passionate about what they do and provide the experience, capabilities, and resources to deliver innovative solutions for any project.
What lessons has Houle learned from 80 years in business, and how do these lessons benefit your customers?
For us, it’s about being a trusted partner that our clients can count on to deliver excellence. That’s why collaboration and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. We live in a fast-paced world that’s constantly evolving, and it’s our culture of continuous improvement that allows us to adapt and grow to meet the needs of our customers. We have a strong foundation, we have exceptional experience, and we continue to invest in training and technology to ensure that we remain positioned for the future.
This shows up in areas like Virtual Design where we use 3D modelling, collaboration software, and emerging AI technologies to build smarter. It shows up as multi-trade and stakeholder collaboration. And, it shows up in diverse teams that bring their expertise together to provide solutions for complex projects.
We are creating opportunity, enriching lives and bringing communities to life across BC through the delivery of impactful projects like the Mills Memorial Hospital project in Terrace, Site C, the new North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Detachment, Kelowna Airport expansion, TransLink Operations Centre, Harry Jerome Community Centre in North Vancouver and Royal Columbia Hospital in New Westminster. We also work on projects at BCIT, Simon Fraser University, and UVic that support essential educational spaces. And, we work on projects that reduce carbon emissions to fight climate change and help customers achieve their net-zero initiatives with environmental and sustainability certifications, like Passive House and LEED.
Are there any upcoming events, promotions, or updates related to Houle that your customers should know about?
As part of this milestone year, we are hosting 80th Anniversary parties at all our branch locations and some of our project sites. While these events are not open house events, we are delighted to invite many of our legacy team members to join us in celebrating this significant milestone. We hope to share more updates and information about these celebrations later in the fall and we look forward to commemorating 80 years of success with those who have been a part of our journey.
Can you provide insights or expert advice on topics related to your industry or niche that would be valuable to your customers?
Several innovative approaches and technologies are reshaping the landscape of the construction industry, offering significant value to customers. Three key areas that are making a substantial impact are collaboration, prefabrication, and virtual design technology.
Effective collaboration is the cornerstone of successful construction projects. By fostering a collaborative environment among all stakeholders—architects, engineers, contractors, and clients—we can ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Collaborative platforms and tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) facilitate real-time communication and data sharing, reducing misunderstandings and errors. This integrated approach helps in aligning everyone’s efforts towards a common goal, ultimately delivering better outcomes for customers.
Prefabrication is transforming the way we approach construction by manufacturing building components off-site in a controlled environment. This method offers numerous benefits, including reduced construction time, minimized waste, and enhanced quality control. For customers, this means faster project delivery, cost savings, and a lower environmental impact. Prefabrication also allows for greater precision and consistency, as components are produced using advanced machinery and techniques, ensuring higher standards of workmanship.
Virtual design technology, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), is revolutionizing the planning and execution phases of construction projects. These technologies enable stakeholders to visualize and interact with the building model before construction begins. Customers can experience a virtual walkthrough of the project, providing them with a clear understanding of the final outcome and allowing for adjustments to be made early in the design process. This proactive approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces the likelihood of costly changes and rework during construction.
By leveraging collaboration, prefabrication, and virtual design technology, the construction industry is able to deliver more efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality projects. These advancements not only benefit the industry but also provide significant value to customers, ensuring that their expectations are met and often exceeded. As we continue to embrace these innovations, the potential for even greater improvements in project outcomes and customer satisfaction will only increase.
What are your plans for the future, and how do you envision your company continuing to thrive for the next 80 years?
Our vision for the future is built on a foundation of innovation, excellence, and a commitment to our people and community. Over the next 80 years, we plan to focus on several key areas to ensure our continued success and growth:
Investing in Our People: We believe that our employees are our greatest asset. To attract and retain the best workforce in BC, we are dedicated to providing ongoing professional development opportunities, competitive compensation packages, and a supportive work environment. We aim to foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning, ensuring that our team remains motivated and equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.
Embracing Technology: As the world evolves, so too must our approach to business. We are committed to investing in cutting-edge technology to enhance our operations, improve efficiency, and deliver superior results. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we can offer innovative solutions to our clients and maintain our competitive edge in the industry.
Growing Our Business: Our roots are in BC, and we are proud to contribute to the local economy through the delivery of exceptional projects. We plan to expand our presence in the region by exploring new markets, forging strategic partnerships, and diversifying our portfolio. This growth will enable us to take on more ambitious projects and create additional job opportunities within the community.
Community Engagement: Our success is intertwined with the well-being of the communities we serve. We will continue to support local initiatives, engage in charitable activities, and collaborate with community leaders to support local issues. By giving back to the community, we strengthen our relationships and build a more resilient and vibrant BC.
How has Houle contributed to the local community or industry throughout its history, and what initiatives are you involved in currently?
Houle’s commitment to the community extends beyond our projects. We have a long-standing tradition of supporting organizations that do incredible work in our communities. This includes groups like the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. As a company, we want to see people thrive in the communities where we live.
Can you tell us a bit about how EB Horsman has helped in your company’s success?
Our long-standing relationship with EB Horsman has been instrumental in ensuring the seamless execution of our projects. Their unwavering commitment to quality and reliability has enabled us to consistently meet our high standards and exceed our client’s expectations.
EB Horsman’s dedication to providing top-notch materials and services has been a cornerstone of our operations. Their proactive approach and responsiveness have allowed us to navigate challenges efficiently and maintain project timelines without compromise.
We pride ourselves on the strong partnerships we have built with our suppliers. The support and collaboration from trusted partners like EB Horsman have been essential to our growth and success. Their consistent support has enabled us to innovate, expand our capabilities, and deliver exceptional results.
