included collecting data and making sure all employees were on board and working safely, creating daily inspections on all equipment, job site hazard analysis, and coaching each other to work safely.” And though Neil dedicated much of his own time and effort to achieve the COR certification, he credits his team for making it possible. “The guys did it. They took it, ran with it, and owned it,” Neil says. “Everybody was on board and really focused and started to look out for one another. This also helped with our team culture, and we created a family.” He says that using the SiteDocs app was “one of the biggest things that also helped us in getting COR. This app basically allows them everything at their fingertips. We load it with our policies, our procedures, worker certifications, MSDS’s and everything health and safety related. That way, if everybody has everything right at their fingertips, if anyone asks them for anything they have it on their phone. Everybody has access to it, the right to know and participate is encouraged at Imperial Fence.” Imperial Fence currently employs around 30 installers and four office personnel. Some employees have been with the company for five to 10 years, while others have been there for over 20. And Neil, in line with his leadership beliefs, stated “We ensure that everyone from the foreman to the new employees are trained and certified for every task we perform and every equipment we use. This way everyone is fully trained and able to do all tasks required.” Looking into the future, Imperial Fence will look to manage sustainable growth, as Neil mentions, “We’re going to outgrow ourselves, unfortunately. We’ve seen substantial growth over the last three years, and we could probably tack on another 10 to 20 percent more projects, then we’re going to be maxed out because we just wouldn’t have the facility to compensate it.” However, his vision for the future is much the same as when he first stepped in, caring and investing in his employees and maintaining the positive culture they’ve cultivated. “We want to turn our lead hands into foremen and bring new bodies in so that we can grow but not at a drastic pace. We want to maintain what we have, but just be able to field more clients as people become more aware of us.” APRIL 2023
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