Leaving a Legacy

Navigating Family Businesses Succession

David C Bentall

• Publisher: Castle Quay Books
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781894860987
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Infrastrutture
• Index: Business

David. C. Bentall shares family business insights gleaned from 20 years of working with the Bentall group and Dominion Construction. Skillfully marrying his own experience with bet practices in the field, he offers solutions to the distinct challenges faced by all families in business. Practical examples are also included from the following prominent entrepreneurial business families from across North America: Peter Armstrong Rocky Mountaineer, Victor Bachechi Carlo Inc., Keith & Ryan Beedie Beedie Development Group, Murray Berstein Nixon Uniform Service and Medical Wear, Jay Bornstein Bornstein Foods, DJ Devries Newton Omniplex, Ashleigh Everett Royal Canadian Properties, Karen & Charles Flavelle Purdy's Chocolates, Ken Finch & Robert Foord Kal Tire, Paul & Michael Higgins Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee, Richard Ivey Ivey Foundation, Greg Kuykendall Kuykendall Hearing Aid Center, Peter Legge Canada Wide Media, Stuart McLaughlin Grouse Mountain Resorts, David McLean The McLean Group, Jack McMillan Nordstrom, Paul Melnuk FTL Capital Partners, Dave Miller Fix Auto, Larry Rosen Harry Rosen, Greg Simpson Simpson Seeds Inc., Jane Tidball Thunderbird Show Park, Bill Yeargin (Meloon Family) Correct Craft.

Part 1: The Bentall Family Story

Chapter 1: A Strong Foundation

The World Newspaper Building, Vancouver 1911.

Structural steel, designed by Charles Bentall.

In 1908, Charles Bentall, a 26-year-old British structural engineer, stepped off a Canadian Pacific passenger train in the rapidly developing city of Vancouver. He had completed a long journey from England, crossing the Atlantic by steamship and then travelling coast to coast across Canada by rail. Charles first gained significant public attention in 1911 when he designed the structural frame for Vancouver’s World Newspaper Building. At the time, it was the tallest building in the British Empire. Now known as The Sun Tower, it still stands proudly on the skyline of downtown Vancouver, a reminder of a bygone era.

In 1912, Charles, whom we all called Granddad, joined a well-known local business called Dominion Construction (Dominion). He started as assistant general manager but soon entered into an agreement to acquire the firm. It was a risky venture since the owners insisted on a formal contract where the interest rate would increase as he paid down the principle. With such tight financial constraints, it is no wonder that his first decision as owner was to sell the company owned car, a Cadillac. He obviously wanted to shed expenses and run a tight ship, but Granddad also believed it was inappropriate for management to be driving fancy company cars while construction crews, carrying out the real work of the company, did not.

When he acquired Dominion, he likely had no idea of the powerful impact that his leadership in the business would have on his family heritage over the next century.

A MAN AMONG MEN

Granddad was, quite simply, a “man among men.” He built his business on a threefold foundation: i) integrity, ii) hard work and iii) respect for his employees. He became known as a man of exemplary character who conducted his business affairs—and his life—with impeccable honesty. His word was his bond, and major projects that would today require a cohort of lawyers and negotiators were often settled with a mere handshake. While growing up, the only negative thing I ever heard said about him was that, at times, he could be stubborn. Frankly, for a man developing a growing business, I suspect that trait likely came in handy on more than one occasion.

Charles Bentall on site.

BUILDING THE BUSINESS

From 1915 to 1955, Granddad served as the company’s president and beloved leader. As an engineer, he brought both a new level of expertise and an innovative approach to the construction business. Most significantly, he decided Dominion could provide greater service and value to its clients by designing as well as building their projects. By centring the company on this idea, he transformed Dominion into a design builder, a full-service enterprise that offered design, engineering and construction services. This approach was unique at that time and soon became one of the firm’s hallmarks.

~ Integrity, hard work, and respect for your employees are a strong foundation for any business. ~

During this time, the business helped establish the industrial base of Western Canada by building numerous pulp mills and sugar refineries. Notable Dominion projects also included the Stanley Theatre and the original Georgia Viaduct, both of which are still well-known Vancouver landmarks. When Safeway first came to British Columbia, Dominion was awarded the contract to build 26 of their stores. The company moved construction crews from one site to the next, finishing one new store per month over a 26-month period. This contract eventually launched Dominion into the development and ownership of shopping centres.

Dominion built numerous fine homes in the pre-war period, many of which still remain today, in some of Vancouver’s finest neighbourhoods. Always innovative, Dominion became a pioneer of tilt-up concrete construction. As a result, Dominion became the leading design builder of industrial and warehouse distribution facilities in Western Canada. By acquiring land and then reselling it as a package deal (including land, design and construction), Dominion soon became a leader in the development of industrial parks. Early branch offices were soon established in Calgary, Edmonton and Kelowna.

Charles Bentall assisting final pour at completion of Bentall I.

Knole Mansion, 2206, SW Marine, Vancouver, BC.

Bulk storage facility for sugar factory, Taber, Alberta, September 1947.

Canadian sugar refinery, Alberta, May 1933.

Dominion Construction, pioneers of tilt-up construction in Western Canada.

Dominion Construction, pioneers of tilt-up co...