41 Issue 2 | Summer Edition | 2026 BUILD MANITOBA MEMBER MILESTONES an obvious milestone, but Neufeld mentions another handshake – of sorts – that really lit the afterburner on things. Neufeld joined a peer group of seven companies from across the country in 2014 that gets together to share wins, losses and just about everything else. “We collaborate extensively,” explains Neufeld. “We see their ratios, we see everything that they do, and we learn from each other. We have all just blossomed from that.” The leadership team has changed over the years – Donavon Giesbrecht and Clarence Jonker bought Buhler out in 2016 and have since been instrumental to SCMI’s success, alongside COO Selma Brown. Neufeld stresses that this management team, while small, has worked tirelessly towards the viability and success of the company. When asked which other team members have been key to SCMI’s success, Neufeld struggles to narrow the list down. “We’ve been in business for 25 years, and we’ve had people that have been here for 22 years that are in key leadership roles, so I either have to mention them all or…” and he trails off. The point he’s trying to make is that SCMI is a true collaboration of all staff, not just leadership, and his concern with accidentally leaving someone out says a lot about how valued they are as people. Neufeld is also careful to credit WCA for the part it has played in this 25-year celebration. “They do a really good job of advocating for our industry – and construction in general – and we greatly appreciate that. More specifically for us, Peggy and that group in their education program do a phenomenal job. All the things that I’ve learned the hard way over the years, they’re starting to come up with courses!” As for Neufeld’s final thoughts on the first 25 years of SCMI? “It’s been a ride,” Neufeld marvels. “And with the people we have … I’m very honoured to be part of the group that is guiding this, for sure.” Fast Five Go-to spot for a work lunch? Salisbury House for breakfast. A project you’ll never forget – for better or worse? The Niverville CRRC [Community Resource & Recreation Centre], which was a true community effort. This was dreamt up, designed and built with all trades from Niverville. It shows what a community can do when it works together to create something great. Best advice you’ve ever received in this business? You can’t manage what you don’t measure. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about your company? We have so many great people that care for each other, the other contractors we deal with daily and the developers we work with. They can see the impact they make in their immediate sphere of influence, but they don’t get to see the big picture. Their impact is much larger because of who they are and the great culture they create. Biggest change you’ve seen in the industry over 40 years? Good things: Safety. Importance of education. Trades being more widely acknowledged as a viable or even favourable career. There are more women in the trades, but we need way more. Bad things: Red tape – bureaucracy sometimes overtakes logic. Short on tradespeople – contractors are competing over a small pool of qualified workers. Economic instability affects all aspects of the industry. High Voltage Energy Mechanical Electrical Engineering Our goal is to bring CREATIVITY and EXPERTISE for sustainable design and energy innovation. THANK YOU to our employees and clients for MCW’s continued success. MCW.com YOUR TRUSTED PARTNERS FOR DEMOLITION & CONCRETE CUTTING SERVICES IN MANITOBA COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL Demolition & Concrete Cutting www.204demolition.ca
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