R GO PRODUCTS BELIEVES IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT
If a company can reap what it sows, then the continued success ofRGO Products Ltd. is a well-earned reward for decades of dedication to the community.
Opened in 1966 with just three employees, RGO and its related companies now boast more than 275 people in Alberta. RGO has contributed to many local charities and non-profit organizations over the past five decades.
Beneficiaries have included Calgary performing arts, the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SA IT, Bow Valley College, Calgary Junior Achievement, the Calgary Zoo, the City of Calgary, Heritage Park, Calgary Humane Society, the Resolve campaign to end homelessness in the city.
President Ross Glen, however, is humble and happy to downplay these contributionsby redirecting any accolades to his employees.
“Yes, giving back to the community has definitely been a priority for us, but really, what enables us todothat is our people,” says Glen.
“It is the service they provide that has kept us moving forward all these years, giving us the ability to contribute to our community.”
With respect to thismost recent economic downturn, Glen says: “We’re getting through this not too badly, and while it may not be quite asmuchfun operating in the current economic climate, we’ve seen it beforeandmadeit through, and we will this time, too.”
Apassion for people, community building and entrepreneurship has beenevident since his youthwhen Glenstartedhis first jobdelivering newspapers at the age of 13.
That was followed by work servicingand then selling type writers.
Not long after that, he turned a modest family loan into a milliondollar business as he diversified into office products.
RGO has continued to grow and is now one of the largest companies of its kind in Canada, selling and servicing all products with a full range of value-added services, he says.
While office, hospitality and institutional furniture is a primary focus, the company has also branched out into residential and commercial window covering sand flooring.
“My daughter has done an amazing job diversifying our company and keeping us relevant, and she will be taking over the company and I know I am leaving it in good hands ,” says Glen, referring to Cathy Orr, vice-president of windowcovering and corporate initiatives.
While the company has been around for 50 years, its state-ofthe-art 50,000-square-foot head office showcase sits products to full effect. It highlights the benefits of modern workplaces that incorporate common areas, break stations and even areas to exercise and re-energize during the workday.
“You can be around a long time and still stay ahead of the trends andtheneedsof your clients,” says Glen. “We are proof of that and I believewe will continue for a long time to come.”