Month: July 2021

This member profile first appeared on July 19, 2021, in EnergyNow.ca.

Epscan Industries has proudly been operated for over 40 years, offering electrical and instrumentation services in Western Canada and across the globe.

Epscan Industries Ltd. is a family owned and operated business based out of Fort St. John, British Columbia. Founded in 1978 by Don Stirling and Bob Churchill, we’ve grown to a competent staff of electrical and instrumentation personnel numbering over 90.

30 years later, Don’s sons Dustin Stirling and Shane Stirling came aboard the management team in 2008.

“It’s a second-generation family business.  My father started it in 1978 and I worked as a kid after school cleaning trucks, cleaning the shop, sweeping the floors – after I graduated High School I moved into the Trades Training program and a couple of decades later, here I am, running the company alongside my brother, Dustin.”   –Shane Stirling, Chief Strategy Officer

Although we have achieved tremendous growth over the years, we have maintained a close-knit family feel that truly defines us. Relationships are important to us and we have always found that the best work comes from a culture that is supportive, encouraging, and designed to help our people achieve success.

“Epscan is a training organization, we pride ourselves on helping people develop the skills and knowledge to have long and rewarding careers.  This also benefits us by having the best people in industry working with us.”  –Dustin Stirling, Chief Operations Officer

The largest division is Electrical & Instrumentation.  Epscan pays careful attention to each and every element of maintenance and instrumentation construction. We believe having support personnel involved from the early stages through each phase of a project ensures smoother execution on site and decreases the likelihood of work being repeated.

Epscan has a 24/7 On-Call Service for emergency callouts.  With a vast inventory of parts, our re-build and maintenance team is able to minimize your downtime and increase your profits.

“If someone calls us and they need us to go and pick up a part for them on a Sunday, we’re going to go and deal with that, and make sure that client is taken care of. Whereas if you’re part of a larger organization, you don’t quite have that personal level of care.”   — Shane Stirling, Chief Strategy Officer

Many changes in technology along with the advances in safety procedures have been our guide in developing a strong, secure business program designed to meet all our customers’ needs.

During our over 40-year history, we’ve grown to expand into:

• Chemical Injection – sales, service, manufacturing
• Communications
• Automation
• Material Procurement
• Water treatment
• Skid fabrication

Today Epscan has three locations, with our main office located in Fort St. John, and an office in Dawson Creek, BC and Grande Prairie, AB.

“Local support and community development are extremely important to us as a company.  As owners, we live in the Peace River area and have seen the community support dwindle over the past few years.  Industry needs to help local programs and people in order to make our communities a success.”  — Dustin Stirling, Chief Operations Officer

Epscan Industries invites you to call or visit their office. For more information, call 250-787-9659 or visit them online at www.epscan.com

Elmer Verigin was one of ICBA’s founders, a former chair of our board, and now a life member of the association. He recently sent us a note with this story:

Today, I had a special moment.

This flashy pickup truck stopped and hailed me on my morning walk. Being hearing challenged, I had to walk over to understand what he was saying.

“My name is Jason and I was part of the first Carpentry Apprenticeship class (15 total) that were afforded the opportunity to take Carpentry Apprenticeship as a grade 12 class at J. Lloyd Crowe High School in 2003,” he explained.

This class worked with the Independent Contractors and Businesses of British Columbia (ICBA) and then were hired to build 5 cabins and a Camp Services Building at Whatshan. The Whatshan Lake Retreat was then privileged to offer 2 Journeyman Carpenters and retired Superintendents to provide on site supervision and instruction.

“So did you achieve your Red Seal Journeyman status?” I was excited in my question to Jason.

“Yes, and as you see I am now have my own Building Contractor business out of Montrose,” he was proud to explain.

He carried on with, “I was driving by and recognized you. I just wanted to provide you with my gratitude in offering such an opportunity to students like myself and now we have a career.”

I was overwhelmed with emotion. It is not often that one gets an opportunity to meet people this way.

“Are you busy?” I finally was able to speak.

“Yes, very busy!” he responded.

Just another day in my life — or was it?

Thanks to Elmer for sending us this story. It’s a great reminder of how ICBA’s work in construction not only builds better communities — but also great careers for individual tradespeople!