Kel-Gor Limited
Kel-Gor LimitedRon Gordon started Kel-Gor Limited in 1969. "We have been successful each of our 50 years in business and we are really proud of that," shares Matt Gordon, one of Ron's five sons, who now share ownership of the business. Kel-Gor specializes in custom fabrication, installation, and maintenance contracts. "We custom fabricate piping, equipment, vessels and tanks to meet the specific demands and criteria of our clients." Kel-Gor's clients include many of the refineries and plants in Sarnia-Lambton, and they pride themselves on problem-solving and finding innovative solutions that meet their clients' needs.
Located at 1411 Plank Road, Kel-Gor has continued to grow and expand every year. All fabrication happens onsite in their 105,000-square-foot fabrication facilities. This year they peaked at 935 employees and project that by 2021 they will employ over 1,500 people. "We have been a unionized contractor since day one, and 95% of the people we employ are unionized skilled trades workers, with the majority being pipefitters, boilermakers, carpenters, insulators, and ironworkers."
Many of Kel-Gor's employees have been with them for over 35 years. Gordon believes that is due to their mentorship program. "Mentoring the next generation is part of our heritage and culture. Our current president, Tom Parkes, started out as an apprentice when he was 16 years old. Then he became a trades worker, supervisor, project manager, vice president and now president. It's the same story for two of our vice presidents." Members of the Kel-Gor management team are tasked with finding an employee with high potential. This employee is mentored for a number of years to fully understand the company's culture and acquire leadership skills. "I can already see the people in our mentorship program who will be running Kel-Gor in the years to come."
Kel-Gor is actively involved with a number of organizations in the community, including the Inn of the Good Shepherd and St. Joseph's Hospice. "All the donations we make are on behalf of all the employees of Kel-Gor, but we also like to help in other ways." Kel-Gor sends teams of ten people to the Inn of the Good Shepherd to cook, prepare, and serve meals. "It's really rewarding to see the impact we can have on the community, and to work with people who are willing and excited to give back."
Shell, Imperial Oil and Nova Chemicals are among Kel-Gor's clients. "We have a substantial workload in building Nova Chemical's AST2 plant. Nova's 2021 shutdown is going to be one of the largest the city has ever done, and we are proud to be the main contractor that is performing that work." Kel-Gor is strategic about expanding and growing the business. "My dad has always preached, 'Slow and steady growth. Never take any huge risks. Be conservative but always look to expand in some way.' My brothers and I have taken that advice to heart, and we are committed to growing this company for the next 50 years."
Related Stories
Indigo Hairworks
As a teenager, Tammy Keuchkerian loved to cut and style her friends' hair. She decided to follow her passion and she became a hair stylist, initially working at other salons before opening Indigo Hairworks in 2006. It was Tammy's husband Vatche who encouraged her to open her own salon. It happe
Pathways Health Centre For Children
Long before 1950, Rotarians and the Sarnia community recognized the need for local therapy in Sarnia-Lambton for children with physical disabilities. That first year, the Rotary Club provided services to 18 children in church halls and basements. 68 years later, Pathways Health Centre for Children a
Atlas Technologies
As he approaches his 50th birthday, Jason Blais is not even close to retirement. Instead, Jason continues to look to the future for ways he can fine-tune his business, Atlas Technologies, and continue to service Sarnia-Lambton. A lot has changed since I started this business nearly nine years ago
Rayjon Share Care of Sarnia Inc.
Rayjon Share Care was founded in 1986 when Sarnia residents John Barnfield and the late Ray Wyrzykowski returned home from their first visit to Haiti. Heather Smith, Executive Director for Rayjon Share Care in Canada, explains that the original goals were simple. They wanted to raise awareness of
Related Stories
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton was established in June of 1967 and almost 51 years later is still serving the needs of children in Lambton County. "I’ve been with the agency for over forty years now," explains Executive Director M...
The Inn of the Good Shepherd
The Inn of the Good Shepherd was founded in 1981 by a group from St. John's Anglican Church on Devine Street, in Sarnia's south end, who became concerned with the growing needs of the disadvantaged in the area. When The Inn started, they quickly realized that the need was much greater than th
BrownStones Sports Lounge & Restaurant
In 2012, John and Holly Willis decided to open up their own restaurant. "One that would 'Truly be made in Sarnia' for Sarnia," says John Willis. This was not a corporation, so by relying on their own ingenuity and help from close...
The Woods Hair Salon
When stylist Tyler Smith and his wife Ashley decided to open their salon, The Woods, they wanted a more natural, modern rustic environment. When choosing a name, they wanted something that would represent that. Ashley had suggested the name The Woods. This name was inspired by an album of the same n
