History

What began as a survey company with 3 employees, second-hand equipment and big goals is now a multi-disciplinary consulting firm whose more than 1,400 professionals use leading edge technology to work on some of the largest and most exciting projects in the world. Our company has evolved with the involvement of talented and ambitious people, strategic acquisition of key businesses and forward-looking addition of innovative technology. For more than three decades, Focus employees have worked tirelessly to embrace their opportunities, make the most of their circumstances and provide the best possible product to their clients.

We’re proud of our history and excited about the future. Have a look and see what events and accomplishments have led to our successes today:

1977 | 1978 | 1980 | 1982 | 1984 | 1987 | 1990 | 1991 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012

 

1977

Focus incorporates as HDS Focus Surveys Ltd. Focus, based in Edmonton, Alberta, provides land surveying services to the oil and gas industry in Alberta. Ironically, Focus’ first job is a survey for St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Leduc, Alberta. Focus completes its first survey for the oil and gas industry: 2 wellsite surveys for Bridger Petroleum, north of Mannville, Alberta.

Back to top

 

1978

Focus begins providing services to its first major oil and gas client: Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas Company.

Back to top

 

1980

Focus opens a branch office in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, to better serve a growing client base near the Saskatchewan/Alberta border city. Clients include Gulf Canada Resources and Merland Exploration Ltd.

Back to top

 

1982

Focus hires a permanent business development executive to market to oil and gas producers in Calgary.

Back to top

 

1984

Focus opens an office in Calgary. The new office gives Focus a physical presence in Calgary, the oil and gas capital of Canada.
Focus closes the Lloydminster office and moves key staff to Calgary.

Back to top

 

1987

Focus consists of 30 employees based out of offices in Edmonton and Calgary. The National Energy Program and low commodity prices contribute to several months of financial losses. The possibility of closing the business is discussed. Fortunately, business turns around and Focus never looks back.

Back to top

 

1990

HDS Focus Surveys Ltd. is re-named Focus Surveys Ltd. Focus provides land surveying, mapping and related services to the oil and gas industry throughout Alberta.

Focus forms a joint venture with Star Tech Incorporated Ltd., a division of Fort Good Hope Development Corporation, based in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories. The new entity, Star Tech Surveys, provides survey services to clients operating North of 60'.
Focus begins to utilize Global Positioning Technology (GPS) in its daily survey procedures. Focus begins to invest in and implement new applications of GPS to provide better service to its clients.

Back to top

 

1991

Focus purchases a majority interest in All Terrain Surveys Inc., a land surveying firm based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Focus is now able to provide services to oil and gas companies active in southern Saskatchewan.

Back to top

 

1993

Focus renames All Terrain Surveys Inc., to Focus Surveys (SASK) Ltd.

Focus opens up a branch office in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The office begins to serve the expanding oil and gas industry in the Peace Country Region of northwestern Alberta.

Back to top

 

1994

Focus purchases the assets of Monument Surveys Inc., a Calgary based land surveying company.

Back to top
  

1995

Focus initializes a strategy to diversify from its reliance on the cyclical oil and gas industry. Focus enters a joint venture agreement with Wright Parry, a British Columbia based engineering and land surveying firm. The partnership operates under the name Wright Focus and allows Focus to provide civil engineering services within British Columbia and Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Focus begins to investigate international business opportunities in Eastern Europe and South America.

Back to top

 

1996

Focus formalizes its international business aspirations and forms Focus International. The new division strives to provide land management consulting services to countries in Eastern Europe, South America and Central Asia.

Back to top

 

1997

Focus International awarded its first international contract, to provide land management services to the World Bank in Azerbaijan.

Focus opens a branch office in Fort St. John, British Columbia, to provide land surveying, mapping and related services to the oil and gas industry in northeastern British Columbia.

Focus acquires Wright Parry. Focus now provides engineering, planning and land surveying services under the Wright Focus name. Services are provided to clients involved in resource, infrastructure, environmental and land development projects throughout British Columbia. Wright Focus has offices in Fort St. John, Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo and Parksville.

Back to top

 

1998

Focus acquires J.W. Sharpe & Associates, a Cranbrook based land surveying firm. The deal gives Focus a local presence in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia and the ability to provide survey and mapping services to clients throughout the region. Focus announces a new division, Focus Urban Consulting, to provide engineering, planning and land surveying services to clients involved in land development, environmental and infrastructure projects within Alberta.

Focus International is awarded its first major international contract. Focus is retained by Exxon Corp. of Houston to provide land acquisition, land compensation, resettlement services, land surveying services on the Chad Development, a 1100km pipeline and oilfield development project in Chad and Cameroon, Africa.

Focus announces a formalized company-wide safety program. The program, “Focus on Safety,” is documented in a corporate safety manual. A safety training and awareness program is also launched and implemented. Focus hires a full-time corporate safety coordinator to oversee the implementation of “Focus on Safety” for all employees and offices both domestically and internationally.

Back to top

 

1999

Focus acquires the Cranbrook branch and staff of GPEC Consulting (B.C.) Ltd., a British Columbia-based engineering firm. Focus can now provide engineering and geomatics services to clients in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia.

Focus announces a new corporate identity and operating structure. Focus Surveys Ltd. changes its operating identity to The Focus Corporation Ltd. Focus formalizes its operating structure by naming four divisions: Focus Surveys, Focus Urban Consulting, Wright Focus and Focus International.

Focus acquires GISPRO Inc., a Kitchener, Ontario based mapping and geographical information company. The new entity is named Focus GISPRO.

Focus and Aerotec L.L.C. announce they have formed a joint venture called AeroFocus Geomatics. AeroFocus awarded a major LIDAR and digital imagery mapping contract by AT&T Canada to fly and collect land base data on existing fiber optic infrastructure throughout parts of British Columbia and Ontario.

Focus Intec, replaces Focus Urban Consulting as the new identity for the business unit that provides engineering, planning and geomatics services to clients in Western Canada.

Focus acquires George Munro & Associates, a Medicine Hat-based land surveying firm. All staff join the Focus Intec and Focus Surveys business units. Focus recruits engineering professionals to join Focus Intec and now provides land survey services to the oil and gas industry in Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan through Focus Surveys.

Focus purchases the remaining shares in Focus Surveys (SASK) Ltd. The Regina office joins the Focus Surveys business unit.

Back to top

 

2000

Focus acquires Hughes & Taylor Inc., a Victoria based land surveying firm. The acquisition is aimed to strengthen Focus’ presence on Vancouver Island.

Focus opens a branch office in Invermere, British Columbia to provide extended engineering, planning and land surveying services to clients in the Columbia Valley.

Focus announces a new president for the first time in twenty years. Ron Hall, P.Eng., ALS, CLS is named President and Chief Operating Officer. Past President and co-founder, John Holmlund, retains a key executive position as CEO and Chairman of the Board.

Back to top

 

2001

Focus announces the formation of a new division, Focus Advanced Technologies. Focus Advanced Technologies’ mandate is to manage applications and research and development of advanced technologies such as Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, deformation monitoring, hydrographic surveys, LIDAR and information technology.

Focus realigns its operating structure to include four seamless business units: Focus Surveys, Focus Intec, Focus International and Focus Advanced Technologies.

Focus acquires Fulton & Associates, a Calgary based land surveying firm. The deal gives Focus access to the Calgary land development and infrastructure marketplace.

Focus acquires Hidber Construction Services, a Fort McMurray-based, unionized surveying firm. Focus now has access to the multi-billion dollar resource industry near Fort McMurray and the surrounding regions of northern Alberta. The acquisition also enables Focus to pursue engineering and planning opportunities involving new land development and infrastructure projects.

Back to top

 

2002

Focus is recognized by Alberta Venture magazine as one of Alberta’s 30 fastest growing companies.

Focus initiates a new Air Quality Monitoring team called Focus AQM to investigate new opportunities for ambient air quality monitoring in Alberta.

Focus celebrates its 25th year in business. Corporate celebrations are held May 30-June 1 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Focus is recognized as a year 2002 winner of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies Program, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche, CIBC, Queen’s School of Business and the National Post.

Back to top

 

2003

Focus is recognized by Alberta Venture magazine as one of Alberta’s 30 fastest growing companies for the 2nd consecutive year. Focus improves from the 26th fastest growing company in 2002 to the 14th fastest growing company in 2003.

Focus raises $88,000 for the Help Fill a Dream Foundation at their annual Golf for Kids Tournament in Victoria. The funds go directly to help children with life threatening illnesses fulfill their lifelong dreams.

Focus forms a transportation engineering team to pursue highway infrastructure opportunities within the province of British Columbia. The team is based in the Victoria office.

Focus is awarded its single largest contract in company history. Focus is retained by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation to complete a $14.3 million contract to provide project management and consulting engineering services for improvements on the Highway 15 Project in British Columbia.

Focus donates $50,000 to the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation in Fort McMurray. The money is dedicated towards a New Play Therapy Room for children at the Fort McMurray hospital.

Back to top

 

2004

Focus opens a branch office in Vancouver, British Columbia. The new office will enable Focus to respond more effectively to clients and their projects throughout the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Focus opens a project office in Golden, British Columbia. Focus coordinates the efforts of a multi-disciplinary project team to upgrade the Trans-Canada Highway to a modern four-lane standard between Golden and Yoho National Park. The project is considered one of the most challenging highway projects in North America.

Focus forms a new business entity called CMS Focus Construction Management Services Ltd. (CMS Focus). CMS Focus is an alliance between Focus and a group of respected construction managers, construction supervisors and bridge construction inspectors. Based in Victoria, CMS Focus will seek contracts to manage and supervise future construction programs throughout British Columbia.

Focus donates $50,000 towards the development of the Outdoor Healing Gardens for the new Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.

Back to top

 

2005

Focus enters into an exciting equity partnership with KRG Capital Partners (KRG), a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado. The partnership will enable Focus to pursue new growth opportunities and create excellent opportunities for employees, shareholders and clients.

Focus donates $25,000 to help victims of the tragic tsunami that claimed more than 300,000 lives off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra in Asia.

Focus and co-sponsor Terasen Waterworks raise $175,000 at the Golf for Kids Charity Golf Classic in Victoria, British Columbia.

Focus is selected as one of Canada’s best employers for recent college and university graduates by The Career Directory (2005 edition).

Focus acquires R.D. Lewis & Associates, a civil engineering firm based in Kamloops, British Columbia. The Kamloops office will enable Focus to provide consulting services to clients in the Thompson-Okanagan region of British Columbia.

Focus’ annual revenues reach $91 Million.

Back to top

 

2006

Focus is recognized by Alberta Venture magazine as one of Alberta’s Fastest Growing Companies for 2006. Focus is ranked as the 25th fastest growing company with revenues over $20 Million.

Focus acquires The Cadastral Group Inc., a well established land surveying company based in Calgary, Alberta. With the addition of Cadastral's 240 employees, Focus becomes the largest provider of land surveying, mapping and related services to the oil and gas industry in Western Canada.

Focus acquires GPEC Consulting Ltd., a well respected civil engineering firm with more than 70 employees working from offices located in Grande Prairie, Peace River, Edmonton and Camrose, Alberta. The addition of GPEC will strengthen Focus' engineering capacity, particularly in the transportation and municipal buildings markets.

Focus acquires DPH Engineering Inc., a totally integrated consulting engineering company that has been designing gas processing and oil production facilities in Western Canada since its inception in 1973. Originally the company specialized in process and mechanical engineering. As the company grew and evolved I&E (Instrumentation and Electrical), Civil / Structural, Procurement and Construction Management departments were created.

Back to top

 

2007

Focus is recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 25 Employers. The winners are announced in MacLean’s magazine, as well as the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal.

Focus acquires Waberski Darrow Survey Group Ltd., based in Fort St. John, BC. With the addition of Waberski Darrow and their 70 employees, Focus significantly strengthens its ability to service the needs of oil and gas producers operating in northeastern British Columbia.

Focus signs Letter of Intent to acquire TransTech Engineering. With the addition of TransTech, Focus continues to build its reputation as a premier provider of engineering services to the transportation sector.

Focus celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Back to top

 

2008

Focus acquires TransTech, based in Calgary, Alberta. TransTech is known as a leader in the delivery of planning and design services for complex transportation projects in Western Canada.

Focus is selected as one of Alberta’s Top 40 Employers for 2009 for the third consecutive year.

Focus establishes a new Environment & Geosciences Services Group to meet our clients’ environmental management and planning needs.

Focus and co-sponsor Corix Water Products raise $375,000 at the annual Golf for Kids Charity Golf Classic in Victoria, British Columbia.

Focus establishes a New Ventures Group and is awarded the PNG LNG Project in Papua New Guinea. The PNG LNG Project is an integrated venture that includes gas processing facilities, pipelines, and LNG plant facilities. Focus provides consulting services to the project in the areas of land access, stakeholder engagement, community relations and resettlement.

Back to top

 

2009

Focus wins the 1st place award for project management and Specialized engineering services on the Highway 15 Corridor Project in British Columbia.

Focus Corporation is awarded recognition as one of the Best Employers for New Canadians in 2009. Focus continues on an upward path to becoming a choice employer in Canada.

Back to top

 

2010

Focus is selected as one of Alberta Venture Magazine’s ‘Next 100.’

Focus is named “One of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2010.” This special designation recognizes the Alberta employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

The 10th Annual Youth Emergency Shelter Society Charity Golf Classic, driven by Focus Corporation, raises $53,000, which will go a long way in giving our youth a safe place to sleep at night as well as life and employability skills training.

Back to top

 

2011

Focus hires industry veteran David Ackert as its new President & CEO. With nearly 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including roles in field engineering, sales, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions, David’s broad and relevant experience make him uniquely qualified to lead Focus through the next stage of its growth.

Focus opens a new office in Vancouver and expands in Calgary with two new locations.

Focus establishes itself in the Pipeline and Integrity Projects market.

Focus goes to Antarctica and writes an Environmental Closure Report to be presented to the United Nations in 2012.

Focus designs access to a huge Dinosaur bonebed at Pipestone Creek and celebrates at the Aykroyd Family and Friends Dinosaur Ball.

Focus sponsors Team Kevin Martin, winners of the 2010 Olympic gold medal in men’s curling.

Focus rebrands with a new logo and website.

Watch our 2011 Year in Review Video

Back to top

 

2012

Celebrating 35 Years

35 years ago what began as a survey company with 3 employees and second-hand equipment is now a multi-disciplinary consulting firm with 1,400+ employees located across Western Canada using leading edge technology.

500 new employees are welcomed to the Focus team.

Pipeline & Integrity Group grows from 3 to over 60 employees.

3 New office locations in Vanderhoof, Prince George, BC and Lethbridge, AB.

New project office opens, Ramsay exchange in Calgary, AB.

Focus receives the David Thompson Award for “Unusual Application in Geomatics” and is a finalist for “Innovation in Geomatics”.

Focus is a proud member of the West LRT Project Team, which received Awards of Excellence in: Transportation Infrastructure and Project Management at the Consulting Engineers of Alberta Awards Gala.

Focus receives the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Deputy Minister’s Consulting Engineers Awards for Construction Management and Supervision Services for the 202 Street Rapid Bus Transit Project.

Watch our 2012 Year in Review Video

Back to top

History
History

Focus Corporation has enjoyed a long, prosperous and exciting history filled with dramatic changes. Since its inception in 1977, Focus has grown in size and in the types of services it offers.