S &R Mechanical was launched in October 1986 with a goal of providing proficient mechanical and plumbing services in the Commercial, Residential, Industrial and Institutional sectors. Thirty-eight years later and the company is going strong, servicing clients across the Ottawa-Gatineau, Upper Ottawa Valley & Seaway Valley areas.
Since then, the company has seen consistent growth and success, led by its visionary founder Serge Robert, who still serves as company President. Since 1986, his reputation has spoken for itself, built on exceptional customer service supported by a dynamic team of employees who respect and value one another, committed to providing tailored solutions for every client partner.
“We call him an ambassador because that’s really what he is,” says Kelly Levesque, Vice President of Operations. “He is just an extremely humble man and very proud of his team and his teams wins,” Sara Robert-Philion, Operations Manager, adds.
The company’s headquarters has always proudly been in Orléans, a community in the east end of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. In 2015, S&R Mechanical reached a significant milestone by moving into its fourth office building, a state-of-the-art facility located in the community. This new building houses a 20,000 square foot prefabrication shop equipped with cutting-edge technology. The move to this advanced facility marks a pivotal moment for S&R Mechanical, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and efficiency in the construction industry. This allowed the company to scale and ensure it could keep up with volume. Today, the company is capable of handling over 100 projects on its project board.
Being rooted in the Orléans community, the new facility reflects S&R Mechanical’s dedication to its local area while showcasing its growth and forward-thinking approach. The advanced prefabrication capabilities enable it to take on more complex projects with greater confidence and reliability, positioning S&R Mechanical as a leader in the industry and a steadfast contributor to the local community.
The prefabrication shop is designed with automated equipment, including self-operating pipe cutting table and various other state of the art equipment. This sophisticated setup not only enhances the precision and quality of its work but also significantly improves safety for its workers. By handling much of the fabrication process within this controlled environment, S&R Mechanical ensures that the components received on-site are of the highest quality and ready for efficient installation.
In addition to projects that benefit the community, like condos and apartments, hospitals, government buildings, commercial and industrial buildings and schools, the company extends its reach by investing corporate social responsibility efforts back into its community too. The company actively supports a variety of local events and initiatives. Most recently, the company sponsored the CN Cycle for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in May and is a major sponsor of the Orléans Festival, where their hydration station is showcased. As a gold sponsor for the Greater Avalon Community Association (GACA), it supports two annual events: a summer BBQ in August and an afternoon in the park during the Family Day weekend in February. S&R Mechanical also hosts four annual events for its employees, raising funds through auctions. The money raised is donated to local charities, including the food bank, Toy Mountain including opening our doors for toy drop offs, CHEO, local women’s shelters, and more. Its mission statement emphasizes a dedication to community partnership and involvement, reflecting a strong commitment to supporting and enriching the local community.
“In addition to projects that benefit the community, the company also extends its reach by investing corporate social responsibility efforts back into its community.”
The company’s success is rooted in a strong focus on effective communication, respect, and professional collaboration, creating a healthy team environment. Serge’s solution-based mindset ensures that he helps not only his own team but is also open to anyone facing difficulties, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges. This proactive and supportive leadership style has enabled S&R Mechanical to consistently complete projects on time, regardless of the hurdles it may face.
The company’s mission statement emphasizes the importance of team fit from the start of the interview process, ensuring that every new hire aligns with its values and contributes to a positive work environment. This focus on morale, team bonding, clear communication, and teamwork fosters a sense of belonging, making every employee feel like part of the S&R family. Teamwork also enables highly successful projects from apartment buildings to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities.
The Lodge Buildings
One of its notable projects is The Lodge Buildings, in collaboration with Lepine Construction. Over the past nine years, S&R Mechanical has completed 13 apartment towers with Lepine, demonstrating the success of the long-standing partnership. Their effective communication and mutual trust have been key to this relationship, ensuring smooth project execution.
Orléans Health Hub
The Orléans Health Hub was built in collaboration with EllisDon and is meant to be an extension of the Monfort Hospital. Located near its office in Orléans, this project involved leading the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing teams. Delivered on budget and ahead of schedule, the Health Hub has greatly benefited the local community by providing accessible medical care in the east end of Ottawa.
LeBreton Flats
The LeBreton Flats development is a relatively new project, set to be built in downtown Ottawa, in partnership with Westview. This project features two towers with a net-zero carbon footprint, LEED Gold certification, and One Planet Living accreditation, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development.
“This one is very exciting for us,” says Kelly, who is excited to be embarking on such a large-scale build that has sustainability at the forefront.
Success for S&R Mechanical is rooted in hiring passionate employees who align with the company values. It invests in advanced technology, such as a prefabrication shop with all the latest and greatest equipment and have a large engineering team specializing in both design and survey requirements. With over 100 projects of varying sizes at any given time, it balances hard work with team celebrations and continuous development. S&R Mechanical also proudly hosts four annual social events and investing in education and growth for its employees.
The company’s forward-thinking approach is evident in its early adoption of technologies like PlanGrid and its focus on AI and innovative software to create efficiencies in its work. S&R Mechanical was a pioneer in using PlanGrid in 2015, equipping field teams with tablets to eliminate paper usage, long before its competitors. It was also the first in Ottawa to have an in-house civil engineering department as part of the project team. Its design and construction team excels in prefabrication, maintaining one of the largest and most advanced prefab shops in Ottawa, even servicing other Contractors with their prefabrication.
“We continue to heavily invest in our people and our software,” says Sara.
Looking to the future, S&R Mechanical continues to invest in its people and technology, staying ahead of competitors and maintaining its reputation as an employer of choice. Its commitment to innovation and excellence ensures that it consistently delivers top-notch results, taking great pride in its work and the positive impact it has on its community.
