NA Engineering marks 10th anniversary in Kincardine

Ten years ago, NA Engineering, based in Stratford and London, made the decision to open a Kincardine office, paving the way for other companies affiliated with Bruce Power, to do likewise.

During a celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the Kincardine office, May 18, the company's principal, Nick Aroutzidis, said the first NA Engineering office was opened in Stratford in 1994, followed by an office in London, then Kincardine, Markham and Woodstock.

“Back in 2001, we had an opportunity to do engineering work for Bruce Power,” he said. “Since then, there has been an increase in the work and we saw a need to service our clients here, so in 2007, we opened the office in Kincardine.”

It was a great decision, he said, as the company continued to receive steady work from Bruce Power, the Municipality of Kincardine and other clients.

In fact, business has been so good that Aroutzidis is looking to expand the Kincardine office.

Engineer Larry Walton was the first employee here, followed by another who came to Kincardine from London and was encouraged to move here and become part of the community. There are now six full-time staff in Kincardine.

“The important thing is not just to work here but to get involved in the community and be part of it,” said Aroutzidis. “Our employees help out where they can, with fund-raising and donating to the food bank. That's what we're really celebrating here on our 10^th anniversary.”

Walton, a graduate of the University of Waterloo, was in the Kincardine area working as a field engineer for Ontario Hydro from 1990-97. He and his wife, Nell, lived in Kincardine at that time, and still live here. He tried another business in Toronto for awhile but that didn't work out so he returned to Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on a 10-year contract. In 2007, he was hired by NA Engineering and had no doubt, whatsoever, that the office would thrive, and it has.

The open house May 18, saw more than 50 guests in attendance to congratulate Aroutzidis and his company.

“NA Engineering is an important part of our community,” said Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie. “In addition to the job creation opportunities, it is also an advocate and supporter of local charitable causes, and has continuously supported and volunteered at numerous community events. We are pleased you joined our community and congratulate you on your 10^th anniversary.”

Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, also congratulated NA Engineering on 10 years in Kincardine.

“I hope you keep going for another 10, 20, 30 years and more,” he said. “It's important that we work together, play together and stay together, right through to 2064. And we need the companies we work with, to have a presence in the community, making it prosperous in the long-term.”

Rencheck said he is proud to have NA Engineering trail-blaze the idea of opening a local office to support clients in the area.

As a supplier to Bruce Power, NA Engineering was a pioneer in establishing a local presence in the region, one of the first to realize the benefit of opening an office close to the Bruce Power site, states a press release issued by Kincardine chief administrative officer Murray Clarke.

Since 2007, the Kincardine office has supported more than 350 projects for the community, with half completed for Bruce Power. Other clients from the Kincardine area include: the Municipality of Kincardine, the Bluewater District School Board, the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine Minor Hockey Association, and the Kincardine Knox Presbyterian Church.

“The municipality thanks NA Engineering for its commitment and ongoing support to our local economy,” states Clarke. “The company and its staff are part of our community and we are proud to have them here.”

Founded in 1994, NA Engineering Associates Inc. is a comprehensive engineering firm with a growing reputation for delivering successful, professional results. Personal attention, combined with state-of-the-art technology, ensures clients that projects are handled efficiently from conception to completion.

The branch office in Kincardine was opened in April, 2007 and currently has six full-time staff. With an engineering presence in Stratford, London, Kincardine, Markham, and Woodstock, the company's philosophy is to provide local technical expertise to clients and give back to the communities where the offices are located.

With a growing staff of 60-plus professional engineers, technologist and project management professionals, NA Engineering brings proven experience, dedication and proficiency to its diversified range of engineering skills.