Western Electrical Management Ltd. is a name that is synonymous with the growth of Alberta’s two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton. The company started as a humble, two-man operation in the provincial capital in 1959 but grew rapidly in the coming years until it was one of the largest electrical contracting companies in Western Canada.
Western Electrical’s history is marked by its involvement in the construction of dozens of major office towers in the province as well as many other significant commercial, institutional and industrial landmarks.
In 2019, as the company celebrated its 60th year in business, it seems appropriate to share the tale of the remarkable rise of this company. It is a story of hard work, entrepreneurship, commitment, survival and loyalty.
It is, indeed, one of the great business success stories in Alberta in recent history:
1959
Dennis Tucker and Del Maltby founded company in Edmonton, Alberta
1964
Klaus Reichwald joined company to start and manage the newly opened Calgary office
1964
Western awarded first big contract to work on Southridge Mall (Chinook Centre)
1965
Work begins on the Calgary Planetarium
1966 to 1968
Awarded University of Calgary contracts: Student’s Union Building, Education Building and Social Science Building
1968
Awarded its first office tower project in downtown Calgary: Aquitaine Tower
1969
Standard Life Building contract awarded
1973
Del Maltby retired and Klaus Reichwald purchased his shares
1976
Klaus Reichwald became president
1976
Ken Rickbeil joined company as journeyman electrician
1977
Joe Merten joined company as operations and project manager
1980
Jim Dalby joined company as the first full-time controller
mid-1980
One of the largest electrical contracting companies in Alberta with 800 employees
1982
Dennis Tucker sold his shares in company to Klaus Reichwald, who became the sole owner
1988
Awarded international design/build contract for multi-million dollar hotel and casino in Nassau, Bahamas
1992
Scott White started with Western Electrical
1993
Three key managers buy into the company: Ken Rickbeil, Joe Merten and Jim Dalby
1996
Ken Rickbeil appointment to president
1996
New management team appointed
early 2000
Specialized in fibre optics, awarded first LEED project, Cardel Place (Nose Creek Recreation Centre)
mid-2000
Awarded shopping mall contracts, big-box stores and institutional projects
2001
Greg Sawatzky joined the company
2002
Jim Dalby retired and Greg Sawatzky appointed CFO
2004
Scott started in the office
2005
McCaig Tower contract at the Foothills Hospital awarded
2005
Joe Merten retired, Greg Sawatzky becomes a partner
2006 to 2007
Centennial Towers Phase I & II awarded
2007
CrossIron Mills contract awarded
2008
Awarded The Core redevelopment at TD Square
2008
Awarded The Bow project, 58-storey office tower
2008
Hill Tower 111 contract awarded
2011
Awarded Saskatoon Police Services Headquarters contract
2012
Eighth Avenue Place, West Tower contract awarded
2012
Scott White becomes General Manager
2012
Matthew Rogers joined company
2013
Scott White becomes VP
2013
Calgary City Centre contract awarded
2014
Scott White becomes President
2014
Matthew Rogers becomes VP of Finance
2014
Brookfield Place contract awarded
2014
Awarded the Kelly Ramsay building contract
2015
Awarded the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge contract
2017
ICE District - Tower E (Stantec Tower) contract awarded
2017
Matthew Rogers becomes CFO
2017
Scott White becomes CEO
2017
Brad Lane becomes Edmonton Operations Manager
2019
Chris Nicholson becomes Regina Operations Manager
2019
Cam McIntosh becomes General Manager
Learn more about Western Electrical
The employees at Western Electrical are an amazing group of skilled professionals who are approachable, friendly and easy-to-work with. We take pride in our people, our business partners and our community.
Learn more about the Western Electrical team