H ere’s the question: What makes a good foundation for a long-term business relationship? A quick Google search reveals hundreds of websites that offer an abundance of advice. It takes a dedicated amount of time and energy to build a good, strong and lasting business relationship. They are an integral and necessary part of success. The MCAS would not have been able to have such a positive impact on the mechanical contracting indus- try if time and energy were not devoted to building relationships. Executive Director Carolyn Bagnell comments that, “Perhaps the most important undertaking by myself or members of the Board of Directors is to network and develop meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Many of the initiatives that the MCAS undertakes rely on our ability to reach out to the right stakeholders and decision makers.” One of the longest and most productive relationships has been the one that has developed with SaskEnergy. In 1988 SaskEnergy, a A UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP SASKENERGY AND MCAS Crown corporation of the Saskatchewan government, was created. SaskEnergy delivers natural gas to 92 per cent of the province through a 70,000-kilometre distribution system to over 395,000 customers. Over the next three decades, MCAS and SaskEnergy would collaborate on projects that would positively impact the me- chanical contracting industry in Saskatchewan. Mike Berkes, MCAS Board member, recalls, “In those early days of SaskEnergy there was certainly some distrust. We weren’t sure of what the role of the SaskEnergy Technicians would be – we were focused on protecting our trade.” But, over the course of time, the trust was developed, roles defined, and the relationship nurtured, resulting in a unique and mutually beneficial relationship. In 1998, SaskEnergy partnered with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan and the Natural Gas Appliance and The group responsible for getting the SaskEnergy Network up and running. 28 MCAS www.mca-sask.com FEATURE