"Poole's rules" built foundation for lasting success: PCL Construction celebrates centennial.

From humble beginnings in Stoughton, SK, to world-class facilities and infrastructure all over North America today, PCL Construction was built from the ground up on founder Ernest Poole's business values.

Founded in 1906 by Ernest Poole, Poole Construction Limited was a forward-looking company with Prairie values close to its heart. Poole based his business dealings around excellent workmanship, fair business dealings and good value for his clients' construction dollar. The formula was so successful it has lasted for 100 years.

PCL started small, but the values and quality of the work proved popular and the little company soon began to grow. First projects included farmhouses and small commercial buildings in Saskatchewan. PCL expanded into Manitoba, specializing in bank and retail buildings, town halls, and four-room Prairie school houses that were a requirement in growing Prairie towns as more families poured into the area to homestead.

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In 1914, company headquarters moved to Regina. After lean years during World War I, PCL bounced back in 1919 to become the largest general contractor in Saskatchewan. Further growth saw the opening of an office in Edmonton, where PCL built a library on Jasper Avenue that years later it would be contracted to demolish, in order to build what is now known as Telus Tower.

The company's 25th anniversary came during the Great Depression in the 1930s, and no celebrations were held due to the difficulties of the times. In 1932, Ernest moved his family and PCL's head office to Edmonton, where it remains today.

Ernest's sons, George and John, joined the company after their academic studies were completed, and during the time leading up to World War II, PCL built military facilities across Western Canada. It was about this time Ernest also wrote what are affectionately known as "Poole's Rules," a guide to the construction industry which would serve to become the dominating force of PCL's corporate culture right into 2006. The rules are still proudly displayed, in Ernest Poole's handwriting, on the PCL web site. They read:

Contracting is an interesting and risky business and for success over long term requires strict adherence to sound basic principles. A few of these are listed below:

* Employ highest grade people obtainable.

* Encourage integrity, loyalty and efficiencies.

* Avoid side lines.

* Do not permit side lines by employees.

* Be fair in all dealings with owners, architects, engineers and sub-contractors.

* Keep your word as good as your bond.

* Give encouragement and show appreciation.

* Be firm, fair and friendly.

* Avoid jobs where design is not good or financing doubtful. Let your competitors have these.

* Good accounting and cash keeping are essential.

* Do not let finishing up of jobs or collecting payments lag.

Poole's growth accelerated over the years as they formed an engineering wing by partnering with a company out of Omaha, and then embarking on industrial projects that were popping up all over Alberta as the oil boom began. Ernest sold the company to his sons in 1948.

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In 1956, Poole celebrated its 50th anniversary in style, with supplementary advertising and the beginning of "The Quarter Century Club," which still exists today, to honour staff that have been with the company for 25 years (or more).

PCL kept its forward-looking values and computerized for the first time in 1971. The 1970s saw PCL expand further into the North American market, with offices in eastern Canada and projects in the United States. George and John Poole made a landmark decision in 1979, selling Poole Construction Limited to its employees. It was officially re-named PCL Construction Limited, and today is 100 per cent employee-owned.

In 1990, with many industrial and civil projects under its belt, PCL began the PCL College of Construction, a commitment to professional and personal growth that continues today.

After 100 years of growth, humble farmhouses and schools have given way to bridges, convention centres, office towers and industrial fabrication, but Poole's Rules have not been forgotten. PCL work is carried out by independent operating companies in 25 locations in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas. It is the largest general contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in the U.S. with collective construction volume topping $4 billion. Founder Ernest Poole passed away in 1964, but his legacy lives on in the corporate values of today's PCL Construction, which remains committed to being the most respected builder, renowned for excellence, leadership and unsurpassed value.