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188 THE KEITH BEEDIE STORY FROM TOP: An elevation drawing of one of Octavio Fernandez’s buildings at 1594 Kebet Way, Meridian Industrial Park, 1988. Judy Stopa working at the Beedie offi ces on Kingsway in the 1990s. Judy has been Keith’s secretary for 35 years. Keith presents Gil Hagglund with a cake on his 66th birthday. Gil was a friend and a fl ooring contractor who frequently worked on Beedie Group projects. PART 2: BUILT TO LAST CHAPTER 16: UP, DOWN, UP SURVIVAL IN TOUGH TIMES In the early 1980s the real estate world was in turmoil. High interest rates and plunging property values were putting an end to many developers. Despite the burden of borrowing costs and property taxes that made it diffi cult to carry projects, Keith understood that the secret to survival was fi nding ways to work through the downturn, keeping the company busy. He also felt intense responsibility to his employees, realizing that, as hard as things were for him in business, they were more frightening for people trying to hold onto their homes. Keith knew that the survival of the company was essential, not just for him, but for everyone he employed. Keith was determined to make it for all the people in the Beedie Construction family. “When the company was smaller than today, everyone felt like Keith Beedie was a father fi gure and we were all his kids. We were under his wing. His major concern has always been having enough work for people in his crew. He felt protective of his employees, because many of them had worked for him for decades.” —JUDY STOPA, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT As many development and construction companies in the Lower Mainland failed, Beedie Construction soldiered on, building and selling projects at the same time as they continued to add to their leasing portfolio. While not certifi ed as an architect in Canada, Octavio Fernandez specialized in desiging industrial buildings and came on board as the company designer. It was the start of a lengthy and profi table relationship, as his fresh perspective on industrial design led to the company being sought out by those who valued innovative and distinctive buildings. In a tough economy, Keith knew that whatever edge he could fi nd to set him apart from the crowd was vital to the company’s survival. “Keith is a good man to do business with simply because he is honest and reliable.” —RON WATERS, JOINT VENTURE PARTNER AND TENANT “My dad has always been about loyalty. A lot of guys remember how it felt to have the company’s support when they were just starting out. Now, they feel loyal in return. Th e inner circle is a good place to be.” —RYAN BEEDIE, KEITH’S SON Having made it through hard times before, Keith put his experience to the test, steering the company through the turbulent economy. Th e number, scale and scope of new projects were all put under review. Existing work was examined and re-evaluated. Th e loyalty Keith had shown to all his employees and trades came up aces, as the people he worked with were motivated to stay the course with Beedie Construction. Th ey had confi dence in Keith, knowing that he had weathered storms before and that he was a good bet to stick with over the long term. Keith saw what a lot of goodwill he had accumulated, both in his own company and in the industry itself. “Th e one thing Th e Beedie Group demands is loyalty, but it doesn’t go one way. Keith has a soft spot for trades that have supported him.” —STEVE ASHFORTH, GLASTECH CONTRACTING Beedie Construction emerged on the other side of the fi nancial crisis stronger and with an even more loyal employee and client base. Th ose who had stuck by him got confi rmation that they were backing a winner. His strong relationship with the Royal Bank of Canada, based on a lengthy history of integrity and skilled business decisions, also provided a strong source of support for Keith. He had weathered enough storms in the past to know when to take risks and when to circle the wagons. Keith walked a fi ne line in the tough years of the early 1960s and the 1980s, fi nding a balance that eluded other builders in the Vancouver area. As others around the industry fell, Beedie Construction Ltd. stayed solvent. “If it didn’t kill us,” says Keith, “it would only make us stronger.” One of the projects that Keith took on to keep people in the company working was the construction of a 50,000-square-foot concrete tiltpanel building on the Langley Bypass in the City of Langley. Keith drew the plans and got the permit. No sooner had work started when the union from the Fraser Valley hall approached the job site and said that we needed to hire through them instead of using our crew from the Vancouver hall. Keith explained that he needed people with tilt-up experience, as without it, the work was too dangerous. “Th e union still insisted that they have their guys on, so I had to hire them,” says Keith. “I didn’t let them anywhere near the actual tilt-up portion of the build. I gave them a few days off just then.” It was one more reason for Keith to be unhappy with the unions. 189
190 191 BUILDING IN LEAN TIMES: BEEDIE PROJECTS IN THE 1980s • 540 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver • Coast Meridian Stores • Burbridge Omega Distributors • Langley Production Supply • 576 S.W. Marine Drive and Heather Street, Vancouver • 7470 Buller Avenue, Burnaby • European Health Spa • B.C. Tel • B.C. Stevens • E.B. Peerless • Cola Industries B.C. Telephone neighbourhood offi ce, 1980s. • Inglis Limited offi ce modifi cations • Sheard renovations • Langley Bypass property • Pedersen • B.C. Tel expansion • Budget Car Rentals • Cambie Laundry • 975 W. Kent Avenue • B.C. Tel renovations • Weldwood • High Tech I • Alpine Drywall • High Tech II • Pacifi c Western Brewing • Plexar • Coquitlam spec building • Hartford Truck • Surrey Hyundai • Trans-Can Greetings • Carmichael Trucking • National Aluminum Products • Truck stop and restaurant • Trend Tex Fabrics • Transwest Trailers Bogardus Wilson building at Meridian Industrial Park. Truck stop complex at Meridian, 1987. • S.W. Drug addition • Mobile Handicap Equipment • Don Pearson – Sibco • H. Pedersen • Raeside Equipment • Electrohome • Fraser Valley Custom Furniture • Top Chic Rattan & Bamboo Imports • Consumers Glass • Coastal Lumber • Mohawk Oil • Eng Washing Machine Rental • Tri-City News • Bogardus Wilson addition Aldergrove shopping centre, 1980s. • Laidlaw • Met-Tec • Macs II – No. 2 • B.C.T.A. • BFI Med. Waste • Wismer and Rawlings Electric Ltd. Mohawk Oil. 1594 Kebet Way, Meridian Industrial Park, 1988.
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