Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd. team members on the job
NANAIMO – Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd. has been busy adding more trophies to its cabinet, as the Nanaimo-based firm was named Contractor of the Year (Small Company) at the annual Builders Code Champion Awards in Victoria (2023), coordinated by the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA).
“We are trying to effect change in the workplace at the boots on the ground level,” says Island Red Cedar owner and founder Sean Smith. “We didn’t think purposely about having an accepting culture, but when I look back at the different staff members we’ve had, that’s what we did.
“I do some teaching in the carpentry program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) so I can hand-pick students to work for us, and I stay in touch with instructors who are able to recommend students to us. We’ve had a more diverse work force calling from many different countries and equity seeking minorities. They were the best people for the job, and as it turns out we already had this culture in our company.”
Sean Smith is Island Red Cedar owner and founder
BCAA President Chris Atchison stated at the awards ceremony that “The construction industry is going full steam in an extremely challenging economic environment. Every day they build the housing, schools, and hospitals that British Columbians rely on. They’re dedicated, but they’re not invincible. We showcase the industry and recognize its contribution to our economy and society.”
Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd. has been building quality homes for 15 years, and the company has also been recognized in the Nanaimo Business Awards for topping their Building & Trades category.
“We were nominated by our clients, so it’s always nice to be recognized,” says Smith. “We produce a good product and look after our clients, so in a roundabout way it’s recognition that we’re doing what we said we’d do, and that we set our standards very high.”
Smith started Island Red Cedar in Victoria in 2011 after starting his carpentry apprenticeship while at home on Saltspring Island. They decided to move to Nanaimo, his wife Katie’s home town, and they’ve never looked back.
Teamwork has helped Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd. earn several awards
“There was more opportunity here,” Smith notes. “It’s a similar in size to Kelowna but it still feels very much like a small town. It’s very community oriented and the builders in Nanaimo have been very welcoming and helpful. There’s a ton of potential for growth in Nanaimo in the years to come.”
Island Red Cedar continues to grow at 10-15 percent each year.
“Through in-depth collaboration with our customers that lasts throughout the project, we are able to deliver high quality, thoughtfully designed, and expertly planned buildings,” he says. “We also prioritize sustainability, resulting in structures that last longer and perform better over the long term thanks to both new technology and locally-sourced, natural wood products from a family-run sawmill, built using traditional joinery methods.”
Smith notes the company adopted a two-pronged approach to ensure that the business and community stays healthy now and in the future.
“We are consistently incorporating new materials and technologies, and we are also integrating the BC Energy Step Code, implementing new efficiency standards more than a decade ahead of the required timeline,” he says.
Island Red Cedar is also proud of the many contributions it makes to local non-profit organizations, including taking over organizing a charity golf tournament, and managing to raise even more money than the event had previously.
“We host our own golf tournament to raise funds for the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation that helps provide scholarships and a food program for kids in need,” Smith states. “As well as raising funds for Rugged Coast, an organization that has been making big strides in helping to clean up our local Vancouver Island coastlines and preforming research with local Indigenous bands. We also sponsor and participate in the Child Development Centre Silly Boat race each year – a great day for a great cause.
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