A third-generation family-owned company, the Farmer Group finds success through its traditional business practices
Victoria-based Farmer Group of Companies is proud to call itself a traditional contractor, whose objective is to construct quality projects within our clients’ budgets and schedules. But what does traditional mean? “For one thing, it means we do our own concrete and rough and finish carpentry instead of subcontracting the work, which has increasingly become the norm,” says Farmer president Barry Scroggs. “This in turn gives us greater ability to control the critical path of the project schedule and quality control.”
By retaining control of more services, Farmer employees gain greater skill sets, a factor that in turn facilitates promotion from within. “As a traditional contractor we spend a great deal of energy grooming supervisory people who look after our projects,” says Scroggs. “We are dedicated to mentoring younger employees and preparing them for ever-greater responsibilities.”
Farmer is enjoying a busy 2013, with the new Duet condominiums for Chard Development Ltd. and Oak Bay Secondary School Replacement project underway. The latter is a $46.5-million project that will meet the latest seismic requirements and LEED Gold human and environmental requirments.
Farmer is also nearing completion of Sovereign, a boutique-style residential and commercial property in Victoria’s downtown core that features an automobile elevator accessed at street level that will descend two levels into the building’s foundation.
Ever mindful of the future, Farmer is currently preparing the company for the next 60 years of work. “We have a succession plan that includes making our manager of operations Gerrit Vink an owner of the company within the year,” says Scroggs. “Our intention is to continue constructing quality buildings—with pride—well into the future in the Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island regions.”
