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BigThoughtsIT’S ALL THAT: Kidco uses the 24H, Cat’slargest grader, for construction Meef, this is applicationsa giant 24HCalgary’s Kidco has ahuge advantage overthe competition. Itsgiant machines get thejob done fasterThis baby is a 330CSTORY BY TRICIA RADISONf you happen to see an enormousCaterpillar machine ina Calgary construction zone,it’s safe to assume you’re in Kidco country.Southern Alberta’s largest earthmoving company,Kidco Construction Ltd. doesn’t believein keeping things small.“We like big stuff,” laughs company presidentRyan Erickson, explaining why Kidcoowns equipment such as the 24H, Caterpillar’slargest grader. Sized for mining, the 24His rarely seen outside of places such as NorthernAlberta’s oil sands.But service is first at Kidco and in the constructionindustry, that involves getting thejob done fast. Years of experience, skilledemployees and a large fleet contribute to thecompany’s ability to move earth at recordspeed. And it’s the willingness of Kidco’smanagerial team to think outside the boxand come up with new solutions that setsthe company apart.Owner and CEO Ken Renton made thedecision in the 1990s to use giant mining machinesto move dirt in a large urban centre.Renton founded Kidco in 1985, starting witha small fleet and firm industry knowledge.He and his brothers, Ian and Doug, had purchasedtheir father’s construction company in1977, renaming it Kidco Holdings Ltd. WhenIan and Doug left to pursue other ventures,Renton started Kidco as it’s known today.A full-service earthmoving contractor,Kidco employs 250 people and has twodozen projects underway during peak season.Projects come in all sizes and rangefrom subdivisions and golf courses to roadsand man-made ponds.58 TRACKS & TREADS • Spring 2008 www.finning.ca