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The financial investments, the changes in technology, product diversification and the reputation for quality workmanship have all contributed to the success of A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd.
But as hundreds gathered to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the boatyard this past weekend it was evident the things most important to the longevity of this company boil down to the basics – family and community.
It’s what Augustin (Gus) Theriault and his wife Elizabeth brought to the table when they founded the Meteghan River, Digby County, company in 1938. And it’s the foundation that a second, third and fourth generation of the Theriault family have continued to build on up to the present day in 2018.
To demonstrate just how important family and community is to this business – the largest and oldest family-run boatyard in the province – the Oct. 20, 80th anniversary celebration was also expanded into an Employee Appreciation Day and a Family Day for the community.
Premier Stephen McNeil, who spoke at the event, referred to the business and its history as “an outstanding journey of great success.” He said one of the things that impressed him most was witnessing the generations of the Theriault family that have been involved in the continued growth of the business.
“It’s not too often that I get to walk into a business in any part of this province . . . (and) see the kind of demographic that I saw in there, ensuring that our sons and daughters and our granddaughters and grandsons recognize that they can live and prosper and build a life for themselves in the community,” he said, noting 80 years is a long time, and a timeframe, no doubt, in which things were not always easy.
“The sign of a good company and community is when the difficult times arise we don’t all go and look for another place. We double down, we invest heavy, we put our shoulder to the wheel and we look for new opportunity,” he said, adding the confidence the business has shown in the community, and vice-versa, will help it to build on the next 80 years.
At an event at the boatyard months ago, reference was made to a turning point for the company when 25 years ago the company was faced with a choice – scale down or diversify. Truthfully it was never really a choice though, managing director Gilles Theriault said at the time. Scaling down would have had a negative impact on the local and regional economy, he said.
And so the choice was made back then to go big and that philosophy hasn’t stopped.
Six months ago a $6.65-million expansion (that included federal and provincial funds) was announced that would increase the size of the company’s workforce – which now sits at more than 225 employees – and would double the work capacity being done.
Much has taken place since that April 11 announcement. Construction of a new office building is nearing completion, as is work to a new marine railway that will increase vessel haul-up capabilities from 600 tons to 1,500 tons.
Other infrastructure upgrades of the past year have included the purchase of a new 80-ton mobile rough terrain crane and the purchase of a new 100-ton hydraulic boat trailer complete with the construction of a new boat launch.
Gilles Theriault, part of the third generation of Theriaults that work here, says the company is beyond proud of the investments that have been made and agrees a constant throughout the decades of work continues to be an emphasis on family and community.
And like those traditions, the list of vessels built and repaired here over the decades is also long.
Graham Oakley, the vicepresident of new construction, says in the last 80 years more than 900 vessels have been fabricated at A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd., evolving from the wooden boats of the past to state-of-theart aluminum, steel, fiberglass and composite vessels, research vessels, patrol vessels, fishing and aquaculture vessels, workboats, pleasure crafts and passenger ferries. He’s especially proud the company constructed the five harbour ferries that will sail between Halifax and Dartmouth.
He said the company’s success, creativity, craftsmanship and innovation – that ranges from traditional boat building techniques to innovative manufacturing technologies in the marine industry – continues to shape the economy and reputation of southwestern Nova Scotia, while also bringing a global market to the doors of this rural N.S. business.
Among those on hand to help the business mark its anniversary were representatives of Nova Scotia Business Inc., which previously selected the business as the first recipient of funding through a newly-created Innovation Rebate Program.
And throughout the anniversary event many other speakers took to the podium.
West Nova MP Colin Fraser credited the business for continuing to capitalize on opportunities to improve, grow and connect with customers locally, provincially, nationally and globally.
“There’s no doubt that this company plays a role in the sustainability of rural communities by creating new opportunities and strengthening our labour force here in southwestern Nova Scotia,” he said. “It has taken chances, and it has paid off.”
Clare-Digby MLA Gordon Wilson touched on the relationships the business has created with its customers.
“It’s more than what this company does, it’s what this company is – family, we keep hearing it,” he said. “That is an example for businesses in rural Nova Scotia, right across Nova Scotia, right across Canada on how we should work, how we
should build our relationships.”
Clare Warden Ronnie LeBlanc touched on the importance of the company to the local economy and spoke about the company’s founders – Gus and Elizabeth – and how they not only opened their business to the community but during their lives they also opened their home to others as well.
“The two things that stick with me is kindness and a sense of community and a sense of family,” he said. “I know if they could be here today they’d not only be amazed by what they see here, but they’d be proud to see that you’ve done all of this without losing your sense of community and your sense of family.”
Generations of the Theriault family spoke, including Nicole Theriault, the daughter of the late John Theriault and greatgranddaughter of the business’s founders Gus and Elizabeth Theriault and a fourth-generation Theriault at the boatyard. She referred to Gus as a man of vision and strong, quiet leadership and to Elizabeth as the backbone of the family and the family business, who had both an easy-going manner and an endless amount of energy.
“Through their love of family and community, they instilled the values that sustain our company and family today,” she said.