b'MEMBER PROFILEFOUR POINT ELECTRIC INC. THE NEW COMPANY ON THE BLOCK IN THE OKANAGAN BY WARREN HEELEYheres a new electrical company in the OkanaganTeams are workingon the side of a mountain, and the work T Valley focussed on providing value and exceptionalinvolves fibre optic communication lines between the pumping service to customers in the region. Four Pointstation and the diversion control equipment. Another project, Electric Inc. (FPEI) opened their doors in April of 2020; as itin the municipality of Coldstream, involves the separation of turned out, April was not the best time to start a new businesswater source for the municipality. This change will improve the because of the challenges presented by the COVID-19access to water for citizens of Coldstream.pandemic. According to FPEI President Derek Andrews, There is no question the pandemic had significant impact onBeing a member of SICA was a must for the new company, our start up. However, once things settled down somewhat inas SICA represents the construction industry within FPEIs May and June, we began seeing results for our business plan. key Okanagan market. Association services such as bidding, tendering and training on subjects such as estimating, project FPEI is primarily focussed on industrial, commercial andmanagement and safety will assist FPEIs growth. Additionally, institutional work. The management team has more thanAndrews says, There is significant value in simply getting to 75 years of experience in the construction industry and hasknow other local people in the construction industry through earned the Canadian Construction Associations Gold SealSICA. Working together with like-minded companies on Certification for Project Management. The company is alsoindustry matters as well as partnering on projects is vitally COR-registered and anticipates certification by November important to our business. of 2020. Looking to the future, Andrews sees issues like accurate Andrews background in the electrical industry dates back toestimating that doesnt cut corners and optimizing 1990, when he entered the trades and started his career intechnology as challenges for the construction industry. In his the Yukon with Whitehorse Electric. By the mid-90s, he hadwords, It is becoming tougher to be competitive because moved to the lower B.C. mainland, and from 2000 to 2015 heof the fiscal tightening of potential customers, efficient started an electrical contracting company called DNA Electric.communication and the increased need to react instantly In 2015, he sold DNA and moved back to the Okanaganand accurately. The industry needs to embrace technology to Valley, where his wife had grown up. His desire to openincrease efficiency, meet deadlines and build trustanother electrical contracting business came to fruition withwith customers.the opening of FPEI.The company also recognizes that the key to growth and Our business model is centred on outstanding customeropportunities for FPEI is the staff team. Though we are in service and building an experienced team that is fully qualifiedthe initial stages of the company, we have a great team of to serve our clients needs, says Andrews. We also want topeople that are building a productive culture, says Andrews. push the envelope by taking on new and innovative projectsOur objectives are to grow and to support this growth with that are typically outside the comfort zone of many diversified services for our customers. This will all hinge on the other companies.quality of people we have in the company.One recent project for FPEI is a new water diversion controlFor more information on Four Point Electric, contact Derek Andrews at project with PCL for the municipality of Sun Peaks, B.C.236-578-2001 or go to fourpointelectric.ca.18 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'