Primco Dene Group of Companies celebrates 25 years
In 1999, James Blackman, president and CEO; Judy Nest, economic development coordinator with Cold Lake First Nations and Wilma M. Jacknife, BA, LLB, LLM, SJD, launched the Primco Dene Group of Companies.
“The focal point was to enrich the lives of our Cold Lake First Nations members through employment,” says Blackman. “At that time there were not a lot of jobs in our region for Indigenous workers. I wanted to open the doors and create opportunities.”
With this goal in mind, Blackman started building the company and now, 25 years on, Primco Dene has grown to service high-profile energy clients such as Cenovus, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd and Imperial Oil, along with multinational franchises like Papa Johns, Wok Box, and Jiffy Lube.
Wholly owned by Cold Lake First Nations, Primco Dene provides first-in-class services at competitive rates, leveraging technology and best industry practices every step of the way. With more than 650 employees, around 70 percent of whom are Indigenous from over 75 different First Nations and Métis communities across Canada, and a robust culture of giving back to the communities they serve, Blackman is humbled and pleased to see his vision in action.
Congratulations Primco Dene!
Bee Clean is honored to have been a partner of Primco Dene’s since 2012 in Ironhorse Janitorial.
“The thing is,” he smiles, “I like our Indigenous statistics within the company. We are very well diversified to meet the goal of providing a wide variety of quality options for our community.”
The diversification spans three broad categories.
“Primco Dene Business Solutions, these are the businesses where Primco Dene got our start—when we were once known as a small business. We have been able to excel due to our commitment to service and results for our business clients,” he says. “Our core business provides various business services in Alberta and throughout Western Canada. Our dedicated management team has extensive experience in building businesses in our region and are available to support your business in any stage of growth. If you are an entrepreneur, we are available to help propel your business forward, whether you are in the start-up phase or an established company that needs some help to go further.”
Primco Dene Industry Solutions supports labor-intensive industries such as energy, mining, and manufacturing. This division offers emergency medical services, safety/security (drug and alcohol testing, workforce compliance), lodging and hospitality, fleet services, construction, and logistics. From ice profiling to technical rope rescue, from fire suppression to confined space observation, this division plays a significant role in the safety and security of hundreds of crews across western Canada.
Primco Dene Consumer Division creates “something for everyone living or traveling through our region.” This division includes the Cold Lake Car Wash, three Jiffy Lube locations, Papa John’s Pizza, The Hard Deck Smokehouse & Rec Room, Wok Box, and Astec Safety.
Additionally, Primco Dene partners with a variety of companies, including Royal Camp Services, Bee Clean, Northgate Industries, DeneTech, and Cold Lake Crane.
“What sets us apart,” says Blackman, “is that we are a wholly owned Indigenous company that has flourished and grown for 25 years, through three oil and gas downturns and through a global pandemic. Being diversified has a lot to do with our continued success.”
“We believe in building opportunity, both at home and in communities across our country. We are honored to be considered a model in First Nation business and economic development, and much of this is due to the incredible partnerships we have forged with Indigenous communities throughout the prairies. Together we are building on success to create prosperity for our people and communities.”
Primco Dene has partnered with Indigenous communities across Canada, including Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Swan Lake First Nations, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Enoch Cree Nation, Piikani Nation, and Chard Métis Nation.
“We have worked together to develop unique economic development opportunities that create wealth, jobs, and independence.”
Blackman continues, “Being an Indigenous-owned company, we are proud to share that we continually learn and educate our staff and management through Indigenous programs. Our entire staff and management have completed the Indigenous Canada Course. Our executive management team has completed the Indigenous Community-Industry Relations Certificate (ICIR) through the University of Alberta. Our management team continues to complete the ICIR courses to complete the certificate.”
Blackman also notes that the company’s success is due in part to their four pillars:
COMMUNITY & SHAREHOLDERS:
“Our community pillar supports the places in which we live, work, and play. Through this pillar, we give back by providing funding for organizations, recreation centers/clubs, and education for members in our Nation. Through donations, a legacy investment to the Blue Quills Camp Life Training Program, countless volunteer hours, and advocacy for the respect of land and culture, Primco Dene changes and improves lives every day.”
BOARD, CHIEF & COUNCIL:
“The leadership pillar has been very supportive and flexible, ensuring we have the support to grow, make changes, and give back.”
EMPLOYEES & MANAGEMENT:
“The employees and management pillar focus on good and safe working environments, proper remuneration, and growth opportunities within our organization. Training and developing our team to be productive and engaged, our employees’ success will ultimately be our key to continued success.”
INDUSTRY PARTNERS:
“Our industry pillar supports our clients/partners with proven stats, a safe work environment, quality, and collaborative service.”
Blackman adds, “Trust develops through communication. These partnerships remain strong with regular communication that is clear and purposeful. The pillars of our business have led the growth and development of Primco Dene to being a nationally recognized company. We believe that each of our pillars is equally important to create a balanced and stable foundation for success, and whenever we make any decision, we look at the impact on each of these pillars. Running a community-based business of this style, both mainstream and First Nations, means balancing all four pillars consistently. No pillar is ever higher than the other.
“I am very proud to say we have a long-term dedication of great management support; we have a CFO that supports and understands our goals and helps to make them a reality. I would have never been able to achieve what I wanted without a strong CFO and a management team that is malleable and dedicated.”
For their many contributions to people, community, culture, and employment, both James Blackman and Primco Dene have been celebrated over the years, including:
- 2023 – Bonnyville Chamber Resiliency Award, Outstanding Large Business
- 2019 – James Blackman, Excellence Award from the Iyiniw Education and Training Institute
- 2019 – SICA Industry Awards of Excellence, Primco Dene Service Center & CRU Retail
- 2017 – Finalist, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2016 – Nomination, Large Business of the Year, Lakeland Business of the Year Awards, Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce
- 2015 – Primco Dene Group of Companies receives the Aboriginal Engagement Award at the Global Petroleum Show
- 2015 – Finalist, Canada Oil and Gas Awards for excellence in corporate social responsibility
- 2014 – The Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized Primco Dene for 15 years in business
- 2013 – James Blackman awarded the Aboriginal Role Model award
- 2013 – Finalist, Primco Dene Canada North LP, Aboriginal Relations Best Practice Award of Distinction for being committed to quality and a generation of healing
- 2012 – Primco Dene is the proud recipient of the Aboriginal Rewarding Partnerships Award by the Alberta Chamber of Resources
- 2010 – Nomination, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- 2008 – Primco Dene awarded The Eagle Feather Award of Distinction
- 2008 – Primco Dene was recognized by the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy Canada and Meadow Lake Tribal Council for its dedication to the growth and development of the First Nations workforce
HISTORIC TIMELINE
- 1999: 844346 Alberta Ltd. (September 1, 1999) named changed to Primco Dene Ltd. (September 1, 1999)
- 2000: Primco Dene Catering Ltd. (January 26, 2000)
- 2001: Primco Dene Catering Ltd. changed name to Primco Dene Ltd. (August 28, 2001), Purchase land near Walmart, Cold Lake
- 2002: Primco Dene Catering Corporation (October 2, 2002), Primco Dene (EMS) Ltd. (October 8, 2002), Primco Commercial Corporation (October 8, 2002)
- 2003: First Lubex opened (March 2003), Seven Lake Oilfield Services
- 2004: PDRC – Partnership with Royal Camp Services
- 2006: Certificate of Limited Partnerships *Primco Dene LP (December 28, 2006), *Primco Dene (EMS) LP (December 28, 2006), *Primco Dene Catering LP (December 28, 2006), *Primco Commercial LP (December 28, 2006)
- 2007: Certificate of Limited Partnership *Primco Dene Royal Camp Services LP (December 5, 2007), Five tanks UFA station
- 2008: Eagle Feather Award, (Updated) vision, mission statement and values (September 2008)
- 2009: Primco Security Services Ltd. (June 30, 2009), Built two bay property near Walmart (later for Wok Box and lease property), Primco Dene Canada North
- 2010: Purchase Wok Box franchise, Ernst & Young Award
- 2011: Edmonton sub office opens (August 2011)
- 2012: Construction begins for Primco Dene Business Centre (January 2012), Primco Dene Northgate Industries (July 4, 2012), Iron Horse Janitorial (Primco Dene Bee Clean Limited Partnership)
- 2013: Primco Dene Bee-Clean Ltd. (May 9, 2013), Wok Box (2nd franchise in Cold Lake South), Primco Dene Business Centre – grand opening (March 20, 2013)
- 2014: Dene Tech GP Ltd. (July 22, 2014), Purchased land in Lac La Biche and Bonnyville
- 2015: Cold Lake Crane – partnership w/ Primco Dene & NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul (September 17, 2015), Cold Lake Crane & Jiffy Lube Bonnyville – grand opening (October 7, 2015), Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Cold Bonn Glassworks, Ardmore Golf Course, Primco Fog Free Limited Partnership
- 2016: Tu Nezu Remediation Services – JV w/Fog Free Technologies, Jiffy Lube North & Astec Safety – grand opening (June 6, 2015), Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Astec Safety Bonnyville (May 2016), Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Beaver River Gas Bar (August 2016), Purchased land Cold Lake North – five bay complex (January 2016), Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Lakeland Firewood (September 2016), Purchased w/7 Lakes Oilfield – building in Bonnyville (April 2016), Beaver River Gas Corporation (November 18, 2016)
- 2017: Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Papa Johns (November 2016), Purchased via Primco Commercial LP – Memphis Blues, Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation – partnership – Saskatchewan, Purchased building in Bonnyville outskirts – Comec, Lake City Coach, Swan Lake First Nations – partnership – security – Enbridge, Beaver River Gas Bar
- 2018: Joint Venture with Ermineskin Cree Nation
- 2019: Primco Commercial Centre – Petro Canada (March 2019), New Edmonton office, 20th year anniversary, Petro Canada – Official Grand Opening (May 15, 2019), Dismantled Tu Nezu remediation (June 2019)
- 2020: Worked through the COVID-19 Pandemic – remained strong with a small workforce reduction of 10%. All our frontlines workers remained on board to get through this as a team, Louis Bull Tribe Partnership, AFD Fuel Services JV
- 2021: Continued to push through during the COVID-19 pandemic, minimal reductions to workforce.
- 2022: Chard Métis partnership
- 2023: Closed Memphis Blues and reopened with a renovation as The Hard Deck Smokehouse & Rec Room, The Hard Deck grand opening (Sept 20, 2023)
- 2024: Celebrating 25 years serving industry, our community, and the local economy
Blackman thanks the members, partners, leadership teams, community, and clients for 25 great years and for the successes still to come.
“Running a thriving First Nations business is a challenge, but it’s a great challenge and one I respect,” he concludes. “I could not do this without the support and partnerships from our teams, clients, and our leadership. The exciting future is about continued growth. We aim to be over 1,600 employees and start new lines of business to continue to create job opportunities, reinforce our commitment to diversity, and solidify our place in Western Canada.”
Primco Dene Business Centre
Cold Lake First Nations
Box 2070, Hwy 28 RR 423A
(7km south of City of Cold Lake), Cold Lake
780.594.4034
Enoch Sub Office
PO Box 820,
Suite 201 21553 Chief Lapotec Blvd,
Enoch, AB T7X 3Y3
780.594.4034
Calgary Office
Suite 620, Tower 1, 202 – 6 Avenue SW,
Calgary, AB T2P 2R9
780.594.4034