The Dawson Group is the largest B.C.-owned group of private construction companies.
The group’s main bent is civil engineering construction, principally public works.
“Because this is our principal thrust, we are subject to the decisions of various elected representatives as to what portion of public funds are going to be committed,” says Dawson.
It would appear that the requirements for the group’s services are going to remain high. But the thrust is likely to change as urbanization accelerates.
In the future, it may well become a main task of the group to help solve urban problems.
“It is foreseeable that we will have to place more emphasis on improving the communications network, whether it be subways or other means of transportation in our metropolitan areas,” Dawson suggests.
But certainly the group’s ability to pioneer in remote areas, whether it be the opening of mines or the building of power developments, will always remain significant.
Dawson warns that if there isn’t adequate development of natural resources in remote regions, the wealth of the cities is going to diminish rapidly.
The surge of school and university construction of the last 10 to 15 years appears to be on the wane.
In the future, the emphasis will be on social services – the construction of more hospitals and housing, particularly housing for senior citizens and low-income groups.
At the same time, power demands are accelerating, and we will see increasing demands for power producing facilities.
As ecological considerations make large hydro resources less available, there may be construction of central-type plants, nuclear, gas, or coal -fired.
“With our diversification we feel that we can build almost anything required. When we see a trend developing, we want to be able to be in a position to cope with it.
“Ours is a dynamic industry. It is one of the joys of being in it that there are constant new developments – new equipment, new products, new building methods.
“Only people keeping their finger on the pulse of change are going to survive,” Dawson predicts.
The trend over past years has been increasing size of equipment. This will probably continue, but to a lesser degree as equipment becomes too cumbersome for ready transport from project to project.
“It is our policy to concentrate more on preventive maintenance and proper equipment utilization – anything that will increase productivity and reduce downtime.
“We make sure that our equipment fleets are kept modern. Lack of a rational turnover policy very quickly reduces efficiency – and this shows up in the balance sheet.
“We also keep on top of new construction methods that may be required for design in the years ahead,” Dawson says.
Building systems developed elsewhere are not fully utilized in Western Canada because the market lacks the scope. Also it is doubtful if people are prepared to live in systems-built facilities.
Dawson feels there will be more systems building in Western Canada to achieve economies – but not nearly as rapid a switch as some expect.
“Obviously, with high wage settlements we must anticipate increases in construction costs. Work available for union members and union contractors will certainly diminish if our rate of inflation remains at present high levels,” Dawson warned.
“What we are seeing in B.C. construction is adolescence in the labour movement.
“The cure is not necessarily more government intervention so much as allowing the industry to enjoy the same benefits as labour in the matter of accreditation vis-à-vis certification.
“It is also hoped that our construction unions will develop more sophisticated management. Unions must abandon antagonism toward management. We should get together and solve problems for the benefit of the whole industry and the public, rather than have disastrous strikes and lockouts,” Dawson declares.
Photo: From the Dawson portfolio book printed in 1972, showing the growing scale of equipment at the time.