Challenge

Delays and unforeseen obstacles happen in the construction business. In this instance Brunel was faced with an unusually abrupt time-crunch due to a building delay, a new design from Co-op’s corporate offices and a lack of information due to the different new design. Brunel and our expert staff met these challenges and stepped up to ensure this Co-op retail and liquor store would be ready for its opening date.

Solve

At Brunel we appreciate the value in effective communication between our company, external contractors, and the client’s needs. In this situation we worked closely with the design teams of all parties involved for an optimal result.

Since we were incorporating a new design, we had to interpret what was expected from the small amount of details provided and determine the manufacturing methods needed to achieve these expectations.

In turn, tight coordination between our ground crews and the general contractor was upheld to ensure the most efficient timelines possible. We performed to provide transparency in the entire building procedure, efficiently moving towards a completed store.

Result

• The store was opened on time, allowing the client to stay true to their advertised date and avoid any lost sales as a result of an opening delay.
• Client feedback was positive, they were thankful for the efficient work done, and amazed that the challenging timeline was met.
• In the end we retained a long-standing client in Co-op who were completely satisfied, which is always the ultimate goal at Brunel.  

Challenge

Brunel was approached by Harpers Tires and Calgary Fasteners & Tools, amongst several other businesses recently, involving the design and construction of acrylic screen guards to protect staff and customers against their potential exposure to COVID-19 at the workplace. Although we have experience with acrylic work, this particular type of work is fairly new to most businesses in the industry, especially if we take into consideration that it needs to comply with newly established health regulations.

Solve

We are well aware that providing our clients with the ability to continue their operations with an added level of safety is essential to their financial success in these challenging times. We were able to start working on these new customer requests right away and developed the required expertise to adapt the protective screens to different types and sizes of counters. So far, we have developed acrylic screens / guards for businesses across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC such as for Calgary Fasteners & Tools, Harpers Tires, Co-op Grocery Stores, Tim Hortons, KFC, Earls and Cowboys Casino amongst many.

The process is fairly straight forward and we customize according to each client needs. The protective screens for Tim Hortons were designed and built in place but for our other clients, measurements were taken, and we built them on our facilities and installed them respecting social distancing guidelines.

Result

• Although this was a new type of request and design, our depth of knowledge and customization has allowed us to react quickly and favorably to these types of asks.
• Our commitment to our client’s success is enabling us to build new relationships as we continue to receive new leads from the jobs we have completed.

Challenge

Brunel was given the unique opportunity to be involved in the planning stages of a smaller, mall food court Tim Horton’s store. The design input process began earlier than it typically would have, due to our ongoing work relationship with a respected client who understood that involving us as soon as possible would be an advantage to the process. Limitations from both a shortened timeline, strict corporate design guidelines, and restrictions on store size presented additional challenges.

Solve

We created comprehensive design drawings that the client submitted to Tim Horton’s corporate offices for approval; these effectively demonstrated the best approach for this small retail location.  We then spent time looking at the operational processes in relation to design. This proactive approach made the project proceed faster and smoother by saving any operational negotiation with Tim Horton’s designers.  

Result

• By working tirelessly to understand the requirements and constraints of running a real world retail space, this allowed us to build in unique recommendations to support client’s day to day operations.
• We preserved a lasting partnership with the client, by proactively getting involved early. This ensured the project went through the client’s corporate approval processes as smoothly as possible.

Challenge

When this client embarked on a project involving a new design and construction methods, they approached Brunel as a partner with confidence. Based on our ability to anticipate needs and improvise build requirements, they trusted that Brunel could ensure functionality of the design on this project for implementation on many more builds to come throughout Western Canada. Our experienced team had to think on their feet and work around the clock to complete this exciting and innovative build.

Solve

By approaching this project from a “big picture” viewpoint, we relied on our experience and expertise to extract the ultimate design objectives and envisioned outcome from the client. Brunel went above and beyond in communicating with Boston Pizza’s corporate team directly, assisting with recommendations that could benefit future projects, and making certain their future needs were kept top of mind throughout the build. 

Result

• Although this was a new type of design for the teams, our depth of knowledge in over 55 years of building and installing millwork and metal packages afforded us the benefit of viewing things through a wider lens and anticipating issues before they arose. 
• In order to accommodate the restaurant’s request to train their staff and set up during the day, our tireless team pulled out all the stops, working nights and split shifts to allow the restaurant teams to do so without disruption. 
• Brunel’s work ethic allowed the project to complete on time and without any setbacks. Both the contractor and their Boston Pizza client were impressed and expressed appreciation for our effort and commitment to help in meeting their schedule before opening.

Challenge

Occasionally we encounter unrealistic designs from an external contractor. Often these designs are attractive and innovative but the practical, real world usage/functionality presents a challenge. In the case of this Bricks Wine Company store, we were met with several design components that were not feasible for the client once operating in the expected retail space.

Solve

Brunel prides itself on our ability to work well with professionals in every aspect of the retail manufacturing trade. In this case we were able to make adjustments needed in the design scheme that would give the client a more efficient workflow, while still preserving the majority of the designer’s original vision.

Further, we went above and beyond to make different material recommendations where appropriate, which saved the client money while still accomplishing the visual aspects the designer was after. We aim to please our clients first and foremost at every opportunity.

Result

• Bricks Wine Company was thrilled with the results and the project was completed on time.
• All of the logistical design elements remained in place to the client’s satisfaction, while operationally the workspace flowed better for employees.
• Plans to build another store with Bricks are in the development stage.