Set direction, stay course amid uncertainty: Bockstael chairman

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This article was published 20/03/2025 (202 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The leader of a successful Winnipeg construction company has encouraging words for business owners dealing with uncertainty.

“If you and your team are facing challenge, change (and) discomfort, know that implementing a new direction isn’t easy,” said John Bockstael, chairman of Bockstael Construction. “But once you align with who you are, stay the course, do the key work and that’s how you’ll grow.”

Bockstael delivered his message Thursday morning at the RBC Convention Centre as part of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce’s ‘Breakfast of Champions’ series, which spotlights successful businesses.

During his 20-minute address, Bockstael recounted the company’s history.

His grandfather, Theodore, founded the firm in 1912 with nothing but a toolbox, Bockstael said, working on rail installations and creating grain elevators.

Today, the company known as “Manitoba’s builder” employs more than 180 people and has an annual revenue of $220 million. Much of that growth has happened in the last decade.

It didn’t happen by accident, according to Bockstael, who joined the company in 1985.

He recounted how the third generation of Bockstaels that led the company — he and his brothers, David and Larry — started having discussions in 1999 to discern how they could intentionally grow the business.

Eventually, they crafted both a strategic plan and succession plan, putting the health of the company at the forefront. David and Larry retired; in 2012, John became president and CEO.

At the same time, the construction landscape was shifting and competition was increasing. Increasingly, clients wanted more than a builder; they wanted a trusted adviser.

Bockstael hired Carmine Militano in 2013 to help guide the company toward offering pre-construction services, which allows its employees to work with clients throughout the decision-making process to better meet their needs.

“We decided to go all in on what we believe was true construction management, putting just as much emphasis on the experience of the client as we did on the outcome,” Bockstael said.

The changes came with growing pains, but ultimately it helped the company break through to the next level.

“This overall was a team effort and a very heavy lift,” Bockstael said. “It took three years, but it paid off. By 2017, we finally hit $100 million in revenue, a threshold we’d been trying to cross (for) what seemed like ages.”

Bockstael said working at the company has taught him a number of things, the first being that a relentless focus on the client’s vision is key.

A commitment to excellence, continuous improvement and being humble are important, he added. So too is succession planning — both in the family business context and in the development of a professional leadership team.

“It was never just about preparing the next generation for leadership,” said Bockstael, whose three children now lead the company. “It was about ensuring that the entire leadership team was aligned with our core values (and) our guiding principles.”

Toward the end of his speech, Bockstael mentioned the maxim: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

“When we are aligned, committed to the same goals and leveraging our individual strengths in the collective, we have thrived,” he said.

The chambers launched its breakfast series in October with an event featuring Paul Soubry, president and CEO of NFI Group. The series is important because it gives attendees an inside look into local success stories, according to chambers president Chuck Davidson.

“What a pleasure (and) what an honour it was to hear Bockstael’s story,” he said. “Their commitment to Manitoba is unparalleled.”

Winnipeg Construction Association director, stakeholder engagement and advocacy Darryl Harrison said he appreciated Bockstael highlighting the importance of change and improvement.

“I think everyone can agree that right now the rate of change that’s happening in the world is extreme,” said Harrison. “So the ability … to change in situations is important.”

The next Breakfast of Champions event will take place in September.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca