Launched in 1990 by Milan Fischgrund and Josef Lapes, Pemco Construction Ltd. has been building in Edmonton and area for 35 years. As a one-stop solution that provides estimators, project managers, site supervisors, administration, trade labour and more, Pemco is pleased to continue providing modern, community-focused buildings to Edmonton and Alberta’s landscape. Pemco has been proud to expand operations in central and northern Alberta over the last five years.
Business in Edmonton magazine celebrated Pemco’s 30th anniversary. Now, as the company celebrates another milestone, brothers and second-generation company owners Jeffrey and Kevin Lapes discuss what has changed.
“The biggest news is that we now own our own building!” shares Jeffrey. “We were in the position to make the move, so we did. That is very exciting as a long-term community investment for the future.”
At 10,000 square feet, the new building is larger than their previous one and houses a tenant that has their own warehouse and office space. It is ideally situated on the west side of Edmonton and designed to accommodate the continued growth of the company – and that growth is due to the firm foundation that was set by the founders.
Jeffrey says, “No matter where we go in the city, we still have the history of dad and Milan through the projects they worked on – we are very proud of this legacy. We are also proud of the repeat clientele built over the years, many of which remained after the transition when Kevin and I took over.”
The succession was impacted, in part, by the passing of Josef. Milan, who had retired, returned to help the brothers establish themselves during the tricky period of grieving while also assuming the helm. Jeffrey and Kevin are very grateful to Milan, the dedicated staff, and countless others – from clients to friends – that eased the transition. Both were ready, having taken active roles in the family business years prior.
“Being able to carry on the legacy, the tradition, everything Josef and Milan had set up for 25 years, is an honour,” says Kevin. “Basically, they set us up for success. The morals, the values, the way we treat people, the respect – they set it all and we carry it forward. Construction can be a difficult industry but with good people, subtrades and clients and never straying from our morals and values, we can take pride in what we do and the difference we make for our team, city and community.”
Jeffrey adds, “The company morals and values haven’t changed since day one. Clients know exactly what to expect from us. Trustworthiness and transparency.”
The brothers work alongside the team daily and hold an open door policy.
“Jeffrey and I are always here. Even as the owners, we’re here working with all the project managers, estimating and are involved every day, and I think clients respect that if there are issues, we solve them. If there are challenges, we work together to get through them and at the end of the day, we deliver a solid project,” confirms Kevin of Pemco’s consistent reputation.
Pemco further honours the legacy at NAIT through the Josef Lapes Memorial Scholarship, which grants $2,000 annually to qualified carpentry students.
The legacy is as concrete as Pemco’s identity – a commercial general contractor known for exceptional work on commercial, hospitality, institutional and industrial projects with a special affinity for tenant improvements and office renovations. Pemco also completes a few new builds per year. While projects run from the thousands to the millions, each project receives the same level of care, support and detail. Pemco prides itself on 360 degrees of care for each and every project, from conception to completion and beyond.
“Every project takes many relationships; subcontractors, designers, architects, engineers and more to make it successful. It is always a team effort, says Jeffrey. “It can be someone’s life goal to open a new business. We’re building their dream. There’s a lot of trust and a lot of capital involved so when people place that trust in us, we’re very appreciative and we take it seriously.”
“Nothing is too big or too small. We value our clients and whether it’s a small maintenance project for door hardware or a new building, we approach it with a collaborative mindset and team focus,” adds Kevin. “The willingness to go above and beyond from every team member to make sure that the job’s getting done properly and to the satisfaction of the client is something we treasure. Our culture here is very family oriented. We know everyone. We know their stories, their history, their families, that sort of thing. It is very important to us that we hire people that mesh with that mentality.”
The team not only meshes with the mentality, they enjoy the work and that results in low turnover. An ideal combination of the right knowledgeable long-term employees and subcontractors, plus the ideas and enthusiasm of new apprentices from the next generation, ensure continuity of a well-balanced and experienced team that operates as a cohesive unit and continues to grow.
“Recently, we had the unique opportunity to collaborate with a former respected competitor, expanding both our team and project portfolio,” Kevin says. “While they were in the process of selling their business and building, we got to know their exceptional team and welcomed five of their talented members into our organization. This strategic move has significantly strengthened our capabilities, allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients.”
To have the clients and team they do in Edmonton means a lot to Jeffrey and Kevin.
“Edmonton means everything to us because our parents immigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1981 and chose this city as their home. They settled here, started the business here and took all the necessary risks. We were born here, and this is home. We couldn’t see living anywhere else. The community, the support for other businesses in construction and knowing that some of the biggest construction companies in Canada have all come from Alberta – the very spirit of Edmonton is ingrained in the culture; in the blue collar, hardworking society that we have here.”
There are many projects in Edmonton that show Pemco’s signature craftsmanship, including the Lewis Farms Fire Station (Edmonton Fire Station #29).
“That was our biggest project to date,” says Jeffrey. It went very well but on a scale of that size, there are challenges and learning opportunities. We did a lot of innovation and problem solving and we are very proud of that project.”
Another memorable project was the Pediatric Rehabilitation Centre at Glenrose Hospital.
“That one took place during the peak of the pandemic,” says Kevin. “The challenge there was to manage a project in a hospital during a pandemic and come out with beautiful results that are supported by the community. Pemco had the privilege of building while also managing the health and safety of the team, the quality of the construction, and other factors. It was a big feat.”
They are thankful for the opportunities and just as grateful to give back to the community. Pemco supports the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Hope Mission, Mustard Seed and the food bank, to name a few.
As year 35 continues on and the brothers reflect on the journey, they wish to thank the Pemco past, present and retired team members along with the subtrades, clients and vendors. Without them it would not be possible.
“And our wives for putting up with us!”
“We have children, so when things happen randomly with the business at all hours that we have to attend to, our wives step in to keep things running with the family,” says Kevin. “When you own a business, it really is a family affair.”
Robust thanks go to their wives, Alyssa Guthrie and Catthy Nguyen. The brothers also thank their mother, Dagmar Lapes.
“Family, friends, team, community, clients – they are a part of it all.”
Kevin concludes, “It is all about healthy growth. It’s not about how much volume we do, but it’s about good projects. We’ve had steady growth for 10 years and we want to continue that.
15334 116 Ave NW,
Edmonton, AB T5V 1K8
Phone: 780-414-5410