one, the company focused on the geotechnical “soft trades” that larger general contractors often subcontract out: deep excavation, shoring systems, piling and deep foundations, ground support, and civil site works. Those first years were a steep learning curve. “We lost a lot of money in year one,” Mehrdad admits. “Many friends told me to close the company or declare bankruptcy.” Instead, Vallex hunkered down – prioritizing creditor payments, restructuring processes, and cultivating a conservative risk-management culture. By late 2021 the firm had restored positive cash flow, invested in key heavy equipment like hydraulic shoring rigs and vibro-hammers, formalized its safety and bonding framework, and spun off an in-house engineering consultancy in 2019 to give clients design-build alternatives. Today Vallex employs 25 full-time staff – six in the Vancouver office and nineteen on site – and maintains deep partnerships with leading suppliers and specialty subcontractors. Projects range from residential basement shoring and commercial deep excavations to BC Hydro substation works and bids for underground metro support structures. “We’re actively exposing ourselves to that table,” Mehrdad explains. “Clients want more than just price: they want schedule efficiencies, value engineering, alternative excavation methods. That’s our entry point.” At the heart of every engagement is Vallex’s geotechnical expertise. “Once the foundation’s out of the way, the uncertainty of the project schedule will also be out of the way,” says Mehrdad. “But the ground rarely follows a plan. You have to adapt daily – bringing academic knowledge, field experience, and on-the-spot problem solving.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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