The Family-Owned-And-Operated Business Applies Historical Perseverance To Business Ethos
COURTENAY – Dan Dilks, owner of D&D Services Welding & Fabricating, brings a do-it-yourself entrepreneurship and drive to his work, qualities instilled in him by the rugged stock from which he came. Dan’s family arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia December 10th, 1948 aboard the SS Walnut, a ship his grandfather both captained and helped build. Immigrants from Estonia seeking refuge from Soviet occupation during World War II, they eventually settled in Vancouver’s North Shore, where Dan was born.
Hands on in every way, D&D owner Dan Dilks (left) brings decades of welding and fabricating experience to BC residents in need of his services
A lifelong passion for seamanship was instilled in Dan by his father and grandfather. Raised in the Comox Valley, Dan worked as a commercial fisherman through high school, and as a deckhand on a barge. He joined the family sandblasting business, before eventually turning to welding, working in structural steel.
“I built bridges on the Inland Island Highway, and helped build the new Finning Building in Alberta,” Details Dan. “I also ran my own tow truck business, North Island Towing, something I’d wanted to do since I was a boy.”
In 2014 Dan and wife Amanda Dilks took the leap and launched D&D as a portable welding business, after the company he’d previously worked shuttered its doors. Word-of-mouth and a steadily growing customer base meant moving to a permanent location in 2016, a 10,000 square foot shop located at 6433 Island Highway North, just outside of Courtenay. With three large bays, a fenced yard, covered sandblasting tent and industrial paint area, the CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) certified shop became a full-service destination for jobs big and small.
A lifelong seaman, Dan and his crew do everything from preexisting boat repair, to custom builds
“We are very well-equipped. With a CNC table, rolls, shear, lathe, press break, drill press, milling machine and more. D&D can fabricate most anything,” Says Dan.
Dan sees versatility and quality as D&D’s calling card, welding and fabricating everything from custom boats, rod holders, gates, trailers, fuel tanks, offices, generator sheds and much more, as well as performing repairs on existing structures and equipment. D&D is also known for providing emergency repairs for trucking and landscaping companies, as well as for farm equipment, a vital service for always-on-the-clock industries, whose finances are tied to productivity.
A custom truck bed with built-in cabinetry courtesy of D&D
As with many companies, Dan has had to navigate D&D through the troubled waters of global pandemic. They’ve scaled down employee numbers, and put together new protocols to protect themselves and their customers.
Dan explains,” With such a large shop and yard, we have been able to abide by social distancing rules. Customers are not allowed to enter shop bays, but can wait in the yard or office doorway, which is covered. We’ve given customers the option to email inquiries for jobs, and send whatever attachments they need, or they can phone or text me directly.”
“We are also open for drive-in customers once they’ve reported to the office, “Dan continues. “After each transaction, all surfaces are cleaned for our safety, and that of future visitors.”
With a grit to persevere in his personal history book, Dan sees the family-owned-and-operated business continuing to adapt, grow and serve BC communities now and in the future.