At the end of the night it was hard work, community leadership and long-term business success that was honoured at the EBEX Awards.
Estevan's Business Excellence (EBEX) Awards showcase and congratulate the best Estevan has to offer in the world of small business. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce June 14 with a gala at Spectra Place, the Business of the Year Award went to Turnbull Excavating, owned and operated by Ed Turnbull, which fit the mould of excellence that so many business leaders aspire.
The company had humble beginnings in 1985, as Turnbull started out solo with just a skid steer and a truck. He now employs 46 full-time and part-time staff and has seen the equipment fleet increase by 50 per cent over the past two years, directly mirroring the burgeoning growth other sectors have seen in the southeast.
Turnbull has expanded to include services in water and sewer, excavating and aggregates and a concrete division.
"I'm really overwhelmed. I didn't expect this at all," said Turnbull. "We grew slowly here in Estevan. There's a lot of really great businesses here and people who really work hard. We've just done our best through it all and tried to keep some sustainable growth."
The operation was recently moved from its location on the west end of the city to the eastern outskirts on the Shand Power Road. It's the business's seventh location, and Turnbull said it will be the last. The new location has allowed them to expand their office and serves as a strategic point so it cuts down on travel issues.
"We're just in a better position now. We're not having to travel through the city so much. We're able to get to our jobs quicker and more efficiently," he said.
Turnbull said he has always wanted to make sure his customers are treated properly and in some ways, that has driven the growth, so that those needs can be adequately served. They have recently supplied concrete for the new Richardson Pioneer Grain Terminal as well as some large pours at SaskPower.
"We've just tried to keep up and serve our customers to the best of our ability. Sometimes I just want to take a step back and say, 'You gotta slow down here,'" he said regarding their company's recent growth.
He said the company has a lot of brilliant staff, and those who have been with him for several years now have helped make the company what it is today.
Turnbull was nominated for the Business Leader of the Year Award, which was awarded to Warren Waldegger of T. Bird Oil Ltd., while Turnbull Excavating was also nominated for the Growth and Expansion and Community Involvement Award, which he also won.
Not just one to build a business empire, Turnbull has also made sure he stayed connected with the community as a supporter of the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, Lutheran Bible Camp and Salvation Army. He played an important role in bringing the Estevan Motor Speedway to Estevan where he races in the modified division throughout the summer against sons Aaron and Tyson.
"The competition out there (on the track) is fierce, and the best way to beat the competition is just to work hard at it. You're not going to win unless you work hard. There aren't any flukes out there in racing, and there isn't in business either," said Turnbull.
In his brief speech upon accepting the award, Turnbull commended his parents for instilling in him a sense of business and work ethic. That next generation of Turnbulls is not simply following his footsteps on the track, but also in the local business world. Aaron started his own business at 18, opening Future Signs in Estevan, and Tyson continues to work at Turnbull Excavating, learning the ins and outs of his father's company.
"Aaron has done very well for himself, and my youngest son works with me in the business and has taken hold of some of the management duties at 24 years old. When I started in business it was about then," said Turnbull. "I'll be around for a few years yet. I'm not going anywhere, and Estevan will always be my home."
