Three generations in the business

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This article was published 21/12/2015 (3813 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Balcaen & Sons, a locally owned business specializing in plumbing, heating and air conditioning, is eager to carry its proud family tradition forward.

Established in 1936, the Fort Garry-based company is marking its 75th anniversary. They must have been busy too, because they initially overlooked the company’s 75th, which was actually in 2011, and are now marking the milestone this year.

Ron Balcaen, owner and operations manager, said he and his brothers, Rob, George, and Tommy, grew up watching their father and grandfather work hard to solve their customers’ problems.

Many would think that, as the third generation, they inherited the business, but the only thing they inherited was the passion for solving people’s problems, Balcaen said.

As each filled a role, they knew they would have to carry the business for another generation. Therefore, the brothers bought the trade from their father 13 years ago.

“Just being under this roof has taught us a lot of how we do our trade, how to deal with people, how to respond to them and look after them,” he said.

Balcaen explained the reason Balcaen & Sons has been a success is because they never took for granted what their grandfather started.

“It’s our last name on the building,” he said, adding they have to be as trustworthy as the previous owners.

“Just being under this roof has taught us a lot of how we do our trade, how to deal with people, how to respond to them and look after them”

“People are looking for someone to care for their problems. We’re trying to cater to those people’s needs and make sure they are getting what they want.”

Balcaen & Sons has been getting more involved with the community. This year, they helped build the St.Amant Spirit Cottage. They supplied and installed all the mechanical plumbing, heating, and cooling systems.

“That was the hugest thing we’ve ever done. It was about a $50,000 deal. That’s not normal for us,” Balcaen explained. “It feels good to be there, and you’re helping to make a difference.”

The four owners want to keep delivering quality work just like their father and grandfather did in the past, he said.

To Balcaen, one of the benefits of owning the company with his brothers is having people that understand him and will be by his side.

“You can counsel each other too. I can sit here with my brothers and smooth things over, open the door and know how to deal with the things that worry me,” said Balcaen. “When the four of us show up is pretty fun. We’re pretty fun guys.”

Balcaen joked that it won’t be easy to get rid of them.

Even though he said their succession plan is not in stone, his son Tylor, 21, has been working with them and learning the trade for two years.

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