Workspaces that work. That is the driving goal behind Solutions Groups of Companies, and it goes far beyond placing a desk or office furniture into a space. It requires a brand of integrated companies that leverage everything from technology to interior design to curated products to ensure spaces function for clients in ways that enhance performance. This is what Solutions Group of Companies (SGC) brings to the table.
Founder Todd Bish, CEO, opened the brand as Solutions Business Interiors in 1995. His driving passion has always been matching clients with the products they need. What started as a single entity grew as Solutions became a preferred dealer for global contractor Haworth, earned its place as a key supplier for the provincial and federal governments and for Alberta Health Services, branched into interior construction and flooring, completed several acquisitions and then, in 2021, merged to create SGC. The companies under the banner include Solutions Business Interiors, NorLab Laboratory Services, Richking Interiors and Division Nine Flooring.
“Since 2022, SGC has been digging deep into our group of companies to continue unlocking the power of the integration,” says Bish. “We have seen a real spike in our NorLab services thanks to the province’s focus on healthcare and life sciences, and SGC’s expertise in creating efficient lab spaces in hospital settings.”
SGC has demonstrated remarkable versatility and expertise through its diverse portfolio of projects across industries. Their work includes furnishing 39,000 square metres of space for the Royal Alberta Museum, managing hospitality and senior living furnishings for the Roozen Family Hospice Centre, bringing innovation to the entertainment industry through a $5M project at Rogers Place & Edmonton Oilers HQ, and much more. Their $5.2M project with the College of Physicians & Surgeons in healthcare involved comprehensive construction management, from structural steel installations to mechanical systems and modular walls. Additionally, a $7.2M project with Gilead ULC in the pharmaceutical sector included laboratory enhancements like pre-wired service chase assemblies and epoxy resin surfaces.
Client-facing goals continue to be met and exceeded, but SGC never loses sight of its internal processes as well. What makes the SGC stand out in a competitive market is, according to Bish, its depth of leadership.
“We have leaders that have been with the company for between 10-20 years each,” explains Bish. “The collective knowledge they have is truly unmatched.”
It is this depth of knowledge that empowers SGC to not only remain ahead of the rapid changes affecting clients, but to anticipate them and come to the table with long-term solutions that solve needs now and far into the future. For example, work-from-home (WFH) and AI are two paradigm shifts that directly impact employee spaces across all industry sectors.
“The world is truly more complicated than in the past,” says Bish. “Our clients look to us to help manage the changes and we have the knowledge, experience and products to do so through workspace design. For example, many offices are moving away from WFH or integrating hybrid models and require workspaces that embrace this. From comfort to remote access, this can be addressed through the products and design. Another challenge for our clients is AI and ML. This demands workspaces that can adapt to rapidly changing technology and office infrastructure.”
SGC has been on the ground floor of enterprises of all sizes, and they see the pulse of the business community. Spaces that work now and into the future are a solution for those intent on building their brands no matter what is going on in the ever-changing world around them; and for those intent on this, SGC can help.
“There is such a thrill in walking through completed projects and seeing the impact on the end users,” smiles Bish. “What we do has a measurable impact on how companies operate and how those companies’ employees are efficient and healthy in the space. We are known as a ‘furniture company’ but our group has so much more depth. We are happy to celebrate 30 years of providing the foundation for industries to build their dreams and share their products with the world. We offer solutions, which is why that word is integral to our brand.”
Efficient spaces build strong communities, which is another passion of SGC. They robustly support the Stollery Hospital Foundation and Bish sat on its board for six years. The team takes an active role through volunteering and giving back to several nonprofit organizations in the city.
In 2022 Bish was honoured with a Leaders award. Humbly, he points the success of the brand to the leadership team.
“David Wray, Gary Wideman, Shanna Dorsch, Laura Bubic and Leanna Ghotme. These are our corporate leaders and the people that, every day behind the scenes, drive the business. They are exceptional people with big hearts that understand the business. They strive for excellence, have a positive mental attitude, are tenacious, inspiring and challenge the status quo every day. That is what makes us a successful company.”
With many successful projects completed over 30 years and many more to come as the complex needs of workspaces continue to evolve, SGC stands at the ready to provide the solutions needed to make spaces efficient, comfortable, safe, effective and part of Alberta’s business, government and institutional landscape.
“The future sees us continuing to grow and scale all the brands in our group,” concludes Bish, “while never losing sight of our goal to serve our clients and help them grow their businesses.”
