The future is looking bright as Tarpon makes another foray into the land of sun, hay bales and hospitality. Our company is pleased to welcome Prairie Power Contractors Ltd. to the Tarpon team. With operations located in Estevan, Saskatchewan, this city of approximately 10,200 people has a strong industrial focus on oil and gas, coal mining and power generation.

Ambie Hengen and Vic Schoff, the founders of Prairie Power Contractors, had heard about the Tarpon culture and business model. After initiating dialogue with Tarpon, they knew this was a solution to their ongoing expansion desires.

“This acquisition began with Prairie Power Contractors approaching us,” says Denise LaForge, Tarpon’s Executive Vice President. “The business was well managed; however, the operations side was at a pivotal point for growth. During our feasibility study, we weren’t necessarily looking at size. Our decision was based more on how the people, operations and culture would fit within the strategic goals of Tarpon to serve clients.”

With an established base of expertise, Prairie Power Contractors already holds significant market share in the electrical business surrounding Estevan. “By adding the Control side to the offerings, we can develop a strategic path for expansion in a region that fits with the new Electric and Controls model,” comments LaForge. “The culture and values of Prairie Power’s people are complementary to Tarpon with an attention to safety and the willingness to work diligently with clients to provide solutions.”

Acquiring Prairie Power Contractors is another step in further expanding Tarpon’s business. “We have the established operations of the Lloydminster branch that spans the border of Saskatchewan and Alberta,” states Rick Wickland, Tarpon’s Senior Vice President, Electric and Controls Division. “This new strategic move will place our operations at the core of Saskatchewan’s industrial activity – on the other side of the province.”

Hengen and Schoff and their team are ready to take their operations to the next level. “The 28 employees who are joining Tarpon have the will to master the challenge of integrating with a larger company,” says Gordon Jeffery, Tarpon’s Director, Southern Operations. “We are so pleased with the work ethic. Everyone sees the value of focusing on needs to serve clients, while at the same time looking out for new business.”

One of the first challenges for Tarpon involves bringing on more personnel to staff up the Control side of the business. “Saskatchewan is just going in to a residual boom, similar to Alberta,” comments Jeffery. “Estevan is a prime locale to raise a family and to get in on some pretty reasonable real estate compared to the more westerly provinces. There’s evidence of significant growth potential in and around Estevan, a city known for its industrial hub of activity.”

With regard to changing signage and corporate identity, this transition will take some time. “We are viewing the acquisition as an opportunity to grow our business, but not at the expense of losing a company name that was founded in Estevan,” says Wickland. “The timing for change with those buying the products and services needs to be right.”