TRUE GRIT CONSULTING announces New Corporate Headquarters and Materials Testing Laboratory in Innova Business Park.
by Scott A. Sumner
True Grit Consulting announced today that it will be developing an integrated engineering and materials testing facility in Thunder Bay’s premier business park.
"True Grit exemplifies the knowledge based entrepreneurial revolution occurring in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario" says Eric Zakrewski, Chief Executive Officer age 40. "The firm was started in 2006 with three employees and a strong belief in the long-term regional economy".
With almost 40 employees today, our investment in this facility in the City of Thunder Bay demonstrates our commitment to provide an exceptional and creative working environment for talented employees to collaborate with our customers throughout Northern Ontario. State- of-
the- art information technology systems in the facility will ensure our staff can solve problems on a global stage, based right here in Thunder Bay where quality of life is second to none", says Zakrewski.
City of Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs was present at the event and had the following comment; "I would like to congratulate True Grit Consulting for their investment in the City’s Innova Park. The opening of this new property reflects a commitment to the community and a
dedication to your customers throughout Northern Ontario. You are also contributing valuable knowledge- based employment opportunities to city residents."
Richard Pohler from the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) also congratulated True Grit on their significant investment in the community and expressed delight that the CEDC was able to assist True Grit with their project.
True Grit Consulting Limited is a Canadian locally owned and operated company of Professional Engineers, Geoscientists, Industrial Hygienists, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Environmental Technologists and Technicians dedicated to providing engineering and environmental solutions throughout Northern Ontario and its remote First Nations communities.
“ We are very proud to be leading future development in Innova Park and the engineering sector in Thunder Bay. True Grit offers world class service to world class customers right out of Thunder Bay,” said Zakrewski whose firm started in 2006 with 3 employees and now has 40
employees while actively recruiting for another 10 positions right now. The recruitment is a far away as both coasts of Canada and Southern Ontario. “ Canada wide we are a growing sector with engineering but particularly in Thunder Bay where a number of things have come together at the right time to promote a lot of growth in area such as high way engineering and construction. Mining is also extremely hot right now with many projects proposed in the region, some of which we are working on as the lead consulting firm. There has also been a resurgence of the forestry industry. True Grit is helping firms that used to make pulp produce cleaner and more efficient energy using bio mass. We help get government funding for them.” said Eric Zakrewski, Chief Executive Officer who is from Thunder Bay and went to school in
Southern Ontario.
The new building will be 8000 to 9000 square feet in size and is in the final design stage right now. It will be able to house 75 people creatively. “ We want to create an exception place for people to work and also it to be a leading edge project. There will laboratories in the building with hazardless testing where we will be the only certified lab in NW Ontario. We will also have a certified material testing lab with materials such as asphalt to concrete for
construction projects.”
“ The location is very central and with the new upgrades the city has invested in with some provincial support we are at the nexus of Innova Park. It will be easy for people to find us and our staff to get anywhere in the city quickly,” said Zakrewski. “ We will tender the construction project in January and break ground in April next year. Our hope is to utilize 100 % local labour and contractors. That is our priority and to move into the building early winter after that. Our
budget is about $2.5 million. We want to do something creative and exceptional where people will want to work and work in teams. We want to do this above the norm. We believe in Thunder Bay and would like to say Thunder Bay truly has true grit.”
Richard Pohler is the senior development officer with the CEDC. “ This project shows the growth that is taking place in the mining and services sector particularly in the engineering aspect. We are delighted to see True Grit go ahead with this facility. It is a significant investment in the community and in Innova Park. It will allow the company to maintain and grow it’s operations. We see it as an important kick start in the next round of private sector development in Innova. There are things in the works. The Innova Park has been here for over 10 years but we feel now with growing demand for properties this location will provide a great vehicle for growth for new and local companies.”
