Sixty Years In BC Is Marked With Loss, Hard Work, Family Pride, And Love Of Community
Celebrating their sixtieth anniversary in Courtenay, Bennet Sheet Metal serves the entire North Island and smaller surrounding islands
COURTENAY – A third-generation, family-owned business, Bennett Sheet Metal & Heating was founded by Raymond Bennett and wife Lila in 1961. Starting in custom sheet metal fabrication, roofing and heating work in their small community, the company developed a burgeoning reputation for personal service. Soon outgrowing their first location, they moved to their current shop at 741 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay.
Terry Logan, the grandson of founder Raymond Bennett, took the helm of Bennett Sheet Metal from Teresa and Bill Logan, making him and wife Shawna third-generation business owners
The Bennett’s business was eventually passed down to Ray’s daughter and son-in-law Teresa and Bill Logan in the early 2000s, along with another son-in-law, Keith Bomback. Most recently, Terry Logan, Ray’s Grandson, has taken the helm of Bennett Sheet Metal, maintaining the company’s proud family legacy as they celebrate a well-earned sixtieth anniversary.
Along with the custom fabrication of sheet metal orders in their fully fitted sheet metal shop, Bennett Sheet Metal offers and installs heat pumps, furnaces, woodstoves and chimneys, and fireplaces. They use products they believe in, like Lennox, of which BSM has been a dealer from the very beginning. Their team of over twenty dedicated sheet metal workers, refrigeration mechanics, class A and B gas fitters, apprentices, and office staff are highly qualified and deeply dedicated to bringing their customers the best possible service.
“We have loyal contractors and an even more loyal customer base, some coming back for their third round of heating equipment,” says Terry. “Properly trained tradesmen and quality workmanship has created a brand in Bennett Sheet Metal that people know they can count on.”
Their success hasn’t come without hardship, however. The closing of their Campbell River location due to the retirement of a business partner was a tough call for Terry.
“It was important to ensure Campbell River customers still felt they could count on the service they’d come to expect from us even without a showroom they could walk into,” explains Terry.
With help from close friend and colleague Tim Brown, who transferred from Campbell River to support Terry, he was able to get that message across.
“It took time, but with Tim and the team’s hard work, we made sure those customers knew we’d be there for them, as committed as ever. once customers got the message, we were back on track.”
An even greater blow was the heartbreaking loss of Terry’s mom, Teresa, to cancer a few years ago, and the passing of Bill shortly after.
In addition to custom sheet metal fabrication, BSM offers installation of heat pumps, furnaces, woodstoves and chimneys, and fireplaces
“Teresa left a big hole in the business,” Terry elaborates. “Bennett Sheet Metal was like a second home to her. She was passionate about doing things her way. When she passed, we had to quickly learn how to manage the business without her. It’s difficult mourning a close family member while keeping a business they were so involved in running effectively. It was very stressful, but with the support of our incredible staff, we’ve managed to navigate the bumps we encountered.”
Today, Terry is focused on leading the company, working to create the best environment for staff and customers alike, building on the legacy that made Bennett Sheet Metal what it is.
“We’ll continue training employees to manufacture and install quality equipment and system components with professionalism, and to take pride in their workmanship.”
In addition to their service to the entire North Island and smaller surrounding islands, Terry and Shawna proudly give back to their community.
Elaborates Terry, “We participate in local fundraising, including Children’s Miracle Network, as well as “Stuff the Truck”, a fundraiser for the food bank and BC Cancer Foundation. In the future, we hope to join Lennox, a great company whose products we offer, in their “Feel the Love” program. They donate heating equipment to those in need. We’d like to donate our time and materials to install it.”
With their combined dedication to community and craft, one suspects Bennett Sheet Metal & Heating will be around for yet another sixty years, making more lifelong customers, and honoring the family and friends who helped build their legacy in BC.