As anyone working in the energy sector knows, times have not been easy lately. “Things haven’t been good in oil and gas,” says Ron Hyggen, CEO of Athabasca Basin Security. “However, the adversity has made us hustle even more than before.” Even with the downturn, the company is still growing and building its presence across Western Canada. Hyggen and the Athabasca Basin Security team know they can’t expect the work to come to them. They must go find it and find it they have.
“We have to focus on the parts of the country where there is opportunity,” says Hyggen. The company found that opportunity in British Columbia, with First Nations preparing for the Trans Mountain Pipeline construction. They developed a relationship with two First Nations near Kamloops— Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops Indian Band) and Pellt’iq’t (Whispering Pines Indian Band). Both bands are in favour of the pipeline, and a partnership was formed. Athabasca Basin Security and the two First Nations worked with the RCMP and Trans Mountain, and trained local band members for the work. Today, the company is providing security at various pipeline sites. “If a First Nation is supportive of the pipeline, we will respect their decision and be supportive of them,” says Hyggen.
Athabasca Basin Security is also working towards future work with such operators as Enbridge Inc. and Xatśūll First Nation on a project near Williams Lake, B.C, and in the Chetwynd region on the LNG project with Doig River First Nation. “We’re working on securing work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline with Doig River, supplying security services as the project progresses to Kitimat,” says Hyggen. In every project, they are working with First Nations people, creating jobs and opportunities. The key to their success is building long-lasting, meaningful relationships with the communities they serve. “We reach out long before the project arrives,” says Hyggen. “By the time the work arrives, we’re in place with a team of trained, qualified people ready to go.”
And, the work isn’t stopping any time soon. Athabasca Basin Security is always looking to the future, and where it can find opportunities for growth. The team is currently reviewing their service offerings, and planning expansion of their products and services to their current markets. “We’re focused on the future, and always making sure people are working,” says Hyggen. At its core, the company recognizes that its people are what make it successful. “When people are working and taking care of their families, we all benefit,” says Hyggen. “That’s what drives us every day.”
Athabasca Basin Security
324 – 2555 Grasswood Road E
Corman Park
(306) 382-2232
basinsecurity.com