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Over the past 30 years, Calibre Coatings Ltd. has weathered the tough times, worked hard, and grown to become one

of the biggest painting contractors in Western Canada.

“I started Calibre Coatings in 1986 and now we have seven operating companies that have grown out of that one company,” says Terry Jennett, president of the Calibre Group of Companies.

Jennett started the original truck-and-ladder painting company when he graduated from the University of Calgary. He soon discovered that geology wasn’t for him, so he blazed his own trail using the skills he had developed working summers as a painter. He and his sole employee – his brother Doug – began winning contracts with property management companies and slowly built up the company. By 1990, Shayne Butcher had joined the company as production manager and in 1997 the two became equal partners in the company.

Since then they have turned Calibre Coatings from a fl edgling company with $300,000 in annual revenues into

a group of companies earning $25 million per year and working on such high-profi le projects as the South Health Campus and the SAIT Trades and Technology Complex.

Th e Calibre Group of Companies was created from opportunity and steady growth. As the original company specialized in commercial painting, in 2000 Cal-Res, managed by Jon Gibbs, was formed to handle residential painting projects. A year later, estimator James Strayer relocated to Edmonton and started Calibre Coatings Edmonton to tackle both residential and commercial painting up north. In 2015, Calibre acquired Decor 8 Painting, a painting contractor in Kamloops headed by Geoff Taylor, to serve the B.C. Interior.

Th e Calibre Group has also expanded beyond painting services in the past decade.

In 2003, Calibre Environmental was created to address the issue of recycling paint in the province of Alberta, and Doug Jennett moved away from the painting tools to manage the recycling facility.

of Calibre Coatings Written by Rennay Craats | Photos by Michael Cudjoe Photography Ltd.

need to photoshop background

Calibre Coatings Ltd. | 30th Anniversary | 1

30yearsL - R: BRIAN WALPOT,

SHAUN CHRISTIE, KEVIN FORD,

ISABELL MOTZ, ALBERT SGROSSO,

WALTER GODEK, TERRY JENNETT

“We recycle one million litres of paint and all the plastic and metal containers as well so it doesn’t end up in the landfi ll. We are the only ones in Western Canada doing this,” he says.

Th en in 2005, Tim Arnett of Mocoat Solutions joined the Calibre Group, bringing with him a customized fi breglass shelter and storage tank company. He also became a partner in the group with Jennett and Butcher.

Calibre Developments led by Shane Morris and Derrick Prince is a general contracting operation that has been providing commercial contracting and tenant improvement services since 2006.

Calibre Management Services is the arm of the business that looks after the administrative responsibilities of all the companies. Controller Rob Hick is the newest member of the ownership group and represents the future of the companies.

Jennett could never have imagined that his small two-man operation would blossom into an impressive corporation with 200-plus employees operating in a 36,000-square-foot facility on six acres of land.

“It would be great if I could take credit for all of that, but it’s really the people,” says Jennett.

Many of Calibre’s employees have been with the company for years and their dedication and professionalism have contributed greatly to the group’s success. Calibre creates an atmosphere of respect and encouragement across the group of companies which contributes not only to employee retention and satisfaction but also to staff being invested in its success. And with each new company or acquisition, Calibre Coatings brings more talented people into the fold. Most of the managers of the subsidiary companies are part-owners as well, making them even more dedicated to the company’s success.

“Th ey’ve got some skin in the game,” says Jennett. “You don’t

Calibre Coatings Ltd. | 30th Anniversary | 2

L - R: LEE DAVIES AND DOUG JENNETT

4411 1 Street SE, Calgary | sherwin-williams.com

Sherwin Williams would like to congratulate Calibre Coatings on their 30th Anniversary and thank them for their partnership and support. Best wishes over the next 30 years and beyond!

have to micromanage people who have an interest other than just a paycheque.”

Th ese partnerships have created the climate for growth that has spurred Calibre for decades. Having the right people in place made expansion possible, and Jennett doesn’t rule out future growth if the opportunity presents itself. Until then, he’s happy to continue being Alberta’s one-stop shop for painting needs while at the same time increasing the profi le of the painting industry.

Jennett is thankful to the management team at Calibre Coatings Ltd. for its hard work and dedication, notably the two manager/owners Kevin Ford, head of production, and Albert Sgrosso, head of estimating, both of whom just celebrated 15 years with CCL. Th e other members of the management team – Shaun Christie and Brian Walpot in production and Isabell Motz and Walter Godek in estimating – have been a key to the company’s long-term success and have allowed it to grow into all the Calibre companies.

Calibre Coatings Ltd. | 30th Anniversary | 3

“30 Year Congratulations” to Calibre Coatings!

from all of us at

Wilf Grapentin, President | Art Lowther, VP Sales46 Years each in the paint industry

Awarded Best Manufacturer’s Rep Agency in Western Canada

cansourceagency.com

Thank you for 30 years of partnershipand here’s to the next 30!

Kris Williams, 403.510.1061www.cloverdalepaint.com

sure-seal.com

Congratulations on your exceptional success, I remember when we started together. Wish you continued success into the future.

Alex Carnegie, Sure Seal Contracting Limited.

M05236 (0314)® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

TD Commercial Banking congratulates Calibre Coatings on this milestone and wishes them continued success for many years to come.

Congratulations to Calibre Coatings on their30th Anniversary!

M05236 (0314)® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

TD Commercial Banking congratulates Calibre Coatings on this milestone and wishes them continued success for many years to come.

Congratulations to Calibre Coatings on their30th Anniversary!

Jeffrey L. Smith, P. Eng. QCwww.wilcraft.com

Congratulations Calibre Coatings, we wish you continued success.

Hannigan’s Paint & Decor

Congratulations to Calibre Coatings on 30 Years!

hanniganspaint.com | 403.291.1638