BSL Machine Ltd. is a machine shop with a large emphasis on gearing and gearbox work. From its home in Edmonton, it provides critical parts locally and abroad. Humble, quiet and in the background, you may not have heard of them – but they are a driving force that keeps machines and projects moving.

It all started in August of 1965. Joe Blattler had a lot of practical knowledge in machining and shop work and also had a very keen eye for identifying industry challenges and creating solutions. As a machinist, he was good at problem solving and very good at customer service. His little company quickly gained traction and his brother, Rudi, came on board to help the company grow. Later, they would take on another business partner and BSL Machine was formalized as a brand.

Randy Morton was just 18 when he joined BSL Machine. What started as a routine job became a lifelong journey. That involved working all aspects of the shop and into management, with two short learning stints outside of the company, which helped him bring back fresh ideas and procedures. When the opportunity came to purchase the company, a long but steady transition began, culminating in Randy and his wife, Hélène, purchasing BSL Machine in 2022.

For the Morton’s, sweeping change was never part of the agenda. While some things such as updated safety protocols, a dedicated quality control station and revamping the website took place, the foundation of the company saw the new owner maintaining the integrity of the company’s foundation. Gears are the foundation of the brand and remain a very large part of what their customers want and need. 

“We’re carrying on the milestones of the old company, and their milestones came with some very established international customers, many of which have been with BSL since the 1960s,” says Randy. “We are very happy to keep working with our long-term and very loyal customers.”

Working side by side on running the company, Randy and Hélène continue the family-style values of BSL, tweaking and updating as they go, and ensuring what made the company successful early on continues into the future.

Randy explains, “We’re one of a few shops in the Edmonton area that is a major gear manufacturer. It is a really good niche that we’ve had in the industry and something that has always set us apart from other companies. Additionally, we have a lot of larger equipment that nobody in Western Canada runs. When combined, those two things provide us with an advantage in the industry.”

Another aspect of BSL Machine’s success stems from its corporate culture. 

“We’ve had many, many people over the years who have been here for almost their entire careers,” says Hélène. “In fact, we have two people now who have been with us for over 30 years. Another fellow was here for nearly 50 years. One of the reasons for the longevity is how BSL Machine has always planned ahead. Alberta has highs and lows, booms and busts. By structuring and planning responsibly and accordingly, the team and the clients know they can rely on our stability.”

Hélène continues, “We are also very family friendly – that is a very big focus. We have three girls of our own and many of our team members have children too. We try to put family needs and flexibility around that at the forefront.” 

It may not be fireworks. It may not be a top-down shakeup, gut the office, revamp the shop, and sweep through with all the digital tools on the market – but it doesn’t have to be. While there has been the adoption of tech, tools and processes that make the shop and office safer and more efficient, at BSL you’ll still find the extremely large, heavy machines – the precursors to CNC – labouring away, churning out the parts that other machinists have yet to master, manned by a team with knowledge past down from the founder. 

“Most people don’t know how niche this market is,” smiles Randy. “The gearing we do and what we produce – most people don’t know it is actually done in-house. We have far more capability than expected.”

Once the clients realize what BSL Machine can do shows why so many have been with the brand since the doors opened 60 years ago.

Yet, the products are just half the story. 

The labour shortage and economic flux are felt across the province and the nation. In the humble and quiet way BSL Machine operates, they have geared up to help with this too.

“Although we no longer do welding here, we absolutely apprentice millwrights and machinists,” confirms Randy. “Part of the onboarding conversation for new hires is how we can help them develop their career path. It’s definitely something that we also look for in new people coming in who are not necessarily younger but looking for a career, whether they’re interested in that momentum forward or not, because we feel like that’s part of the value we can offer.”

Hélène adds, “Manual machining is a skill that people don’t realize they can still learn, since many of the trades schools focus on CNC. We are not opposed to CNC and continue to add in that area, but the specialized machining we do requires specialized knowledge and tools. We are happy to share what we know and train the right team members in this skill.”

As active community members, BSL focuses on organizations that empower and support families and vulnerable youth. 

Gratitude is an essential part of any success story, and for this business, it’s no different. The path to where they stand today has been paved by the efforts of many individuals. Reflecting on the support and mentorship along the way, Randy and Hélène say a heartfelt thank you to a few key individuals and groups.

“Gerry Semler was essentially my mentor through my years here,” says Randy, acknowledging the foundational impact Gerry had on shaping his career and business approach. “Another name that stands out in

 this story is Rudi, a previous owner, whose influence was important in setting the business on its current course.

“Our team in the shop and in the office are instrumental in our success here,” Hélène adds. “All our team members are simply awesome. We would have no business without them.”

When it comes to the loyalty of the customers, the gratitude runs just as deep. 

The future of BSL Machine mirrors its past. Steadfast, doing the things for the company and the community, prioritizing the team and thoughtful adaptation of the technology that best serves clients while never forgetting the roots of the company that empowered 60 years. If Joe could look back and see what became of his vision, he would be very proud.

10020 29 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6N 1A2
Phone: (780) 462-6520