Golden Environmental Mat Services, a new Kootenay company serving the oil and gas industry

— Photo courtesy enviromat.ca

Golden Environmental Mat Services, or GEM Services, is a brand-new East Kootenay-based company making a dent in the oil and gas industry.

The name is very descriptive of the business. The 'EMS' describes how they supply environment-protecting mats to remote industrial areas. And the 'G' explains their home base and service commitment to their employees and clients.

Company co-owner George Otcenasek, physically hobbled two years ago with a broken leg and disgruntled with his success in previous business endeavours, had a conversation with a relative in the oil and gas industry that unshackled his mental energies. Knowing Otcenasek's background in wood products (he was in forestry and home building for many years), the relative suggested he get involved with the only wood product in the whole energy field: environmental mats.

Environmental mats are like glorified wood pallets. Three layers of two-inch oak planks (the type of wood GEMS prefers for its durability) are bolted together to make a mat. Then the mats are laid out in interlocking strips to provide a stable and dry surface for heavy machinery and people to work on. They thus permit a longer working season, less wear on the machinery, a cleaner work environment and reduced damage to the ground itself making remediation easier and cheaper when the site is abandoned.

Needing a partner with further developed business acumen, Otcenasek contacted close friend Steve Fisher in Nelson, who coincidentally was also hobbled by a broken leg and open to new opportunities, and the two formed GEM Services.

Immediately they became involved with KRIC's business coaching program, specifically mentored by Andre Labine who was “an inspiration,” according to George. With Andre’s help, they developed their business plan and began to formulate a company culture, possibly unique to the oil and gas industry.

“We want to design an employment climate for people who live in the Kootenays,” said George.

Recognizing that time at home and recreating is important, they aim to provide their staff with part-time hours and full-time wages, and by doing so, attract the best team possible.

GEM Services' business trajectory has attracted some serious attention.

BCIC's Access BC program has assisted with tuition and travel costs for out-of-region events and conferences, and GEMS recently won KRIC's Livewire competition, which helped further develop and refine their business plan. Livewire was a staged business development competition supported by BCIC and NRC-IRAP.

“Livewire was brilliant for us,” said George. “It provided us with valuable feedback on our plan and our presentation.”

Those new presentation skills will be further sculpted with their participation (as a direct consequence of the Livewire win) at CETAC West’s Entrepreneur to CEO workshop in mid-February.

Like their mats, GEM Services' success has come from the stability of interlocking business components, including training. It looks like GEM Services has created a good base to support a strong future.

Source: Tara Penner – KRIC newsletter