Houle Electric is turning 80: Celebrating a Legacy of Electrical Excellence and Teamwork

What milestones has Houle achieved over its 80-year history, and how have these milestones shaped your brand identity and values?

It all began in 1944 when Lionel Houle and his father opened Houle Electric in Port Alberni, to complement their existing furniture store and further serve the needs of their community. In search of opportunity, Lionel moved his business across Northern BC and even to the Northwest Territories in the 1950s, before settling his family down in the growing city of Burnaby, BC. This is where he would establish Houle’s headquarters and continue to expand the business.

After decades of determination and hard work, Houle became employee-owned in 1980. Despite a challenging economy in the mid-80s, Houle was able to purchase a new head office building in Burnaby that filled up quickly as they grew and took on more projects.

In 1997, Robert Lashin was appointed as the President of Houle. Robert’s strong ethics, passion for customer service, and mutual respect for everyone would help further establish Houle’s values and culture of collaboration. For the next 20 years, Houle experienced exponential growth and worked on many award-winning projects including Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Kitimat Modernization project, and Parq Casino.

Today, Houle has become BC’s leading electrical contractor and systems integrator, trusted to deliver some of the province’s most complex projects. Houle is a company that puts people first–empowering communities through local projects that positively impact people’s lives. From hospitals, universities, and shopping centres, to airports, shipping terminals, and sustainable power infrastructure, they’re passionate about what they do and provide the experience, capabilities, and resources to deliver innovative solutions for any project.

Are there any upcoming events, promotions, or updates related to Houle that your customers should know about?

As part of this milestone year, we are hosting 80th Anniversary parties at all our branch locations and some of our project sites. While these events are not open house events, we are delighted to invite many of our legacy team members to join us in celebrating this significant milestone. We hope to share more updates and information about these celebrations later in the fall and we look forward to commemorating 80 years of success with those who have been a part of our journey.

Can you provide insights or expert advice on topics related to your industry or niche that would be valuable to your customers?

Several innovative approaches and technologies are reshaping the landscape of the construction industry, offering significant value to customers. Three key areas that are making a substantial impact are collaboration, prefabrication, and virtual design technology.

Effective collaboration is the cornerstone of successful construction projects. By fostering a collaborative environment among all stakeholders—architects, engineers, contractors, and clients—we can ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Collaborative platforms and tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) facilitate real-time communication and data sharing, reducing misunderstandings and errors. This integrated approach helps in aligning everyone’s efforts towards a common goal, ultimately delivering better outcomes for customers.

Prefabrication is transforming the way we approach construction by manufacturing building components off-site in a controlled environment. This method offers numerous benefits, including reduced construction time, minimized waste, and enhanced quality control. For customers, this means faster project delivery, cost savings, and a lower environmental impact. Prefabrication also allows for greater precision and consistency, as components are produced using advanced machinery and techniques, ensuring higher standards of workmanship.

Virtual design technology, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), is revolutionizing the planning and execution phases of construction projects. These technologies enable stakeholders to visualize and interact with the building model before construction begins. Customers can experience a virtual walkthrough of the project, providing them with a clear understanding of the final outcome and allowing for adjustments to be made early in the design process. This proactive approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces the likelihood of costly changes and rework during construction.

By leveraging collaboration, prefabrication, and virtual design technology, the construction industry is able to deliver more efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality projects. These advancements not only benefit the industry but also provide significant value to customers, ensuring that their expectations are met and often exceeded. As we continue to embrace these innovations, the potential for even greater improvements in project outcomes and customer satisfaction will only increase.

How has Houle contributed to the local community or industry throughout its history, and what initiatives are you involved in currently?

Houle’s commitment to the community extends beyond our projects. We have a long-standing tradition of supporting organizations that do incredible work in our communities. This includes groups like the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. As a company, we want to see people thrive in the communities where we live.