Redefining the sector through innovation and a dedication to excellence
It was a winning idea: repurpose shipping containers for use as worksite structures in Saskatchewan’s construction and resource industries and grow along with the expanding sectors. The notion earned young Saskatoon entrepreneurs Bryan McCrea and Evan Willoughby a $120,000 investment from North Battleford native W. Brett Wilson when they pitched it on CBC Television’s Dragons’ Den more than a decade ago. The popular TV show shone a light on the Saskatchewan pair and McCrea says it seemed like the whole province was rooting for them and their start-up, then known as 3twenty Solutions.
But things change.
3twenty, so named because a typical container has 320 square feet of floor space, grew out of a business plan they developed as students at the University of Saskatchewan. The business achieved “OK to good’’ success, says McCrea. “But it became clear to me that it likely wasn’t a sustainable business that we wanted to build our lives around.’’ McCrea and Willoughby knew it was time to pivot.
3twenty Modular swaps containers for prefabricated modules constructed to specification at their 10-acre facility in Saskatoon and assembled on location after site preparation is completed. They use a process that integrates design and construction. It begins with 3twenty’s design team sitting down with a client – who often brings nothing more than a notion or a napkin sketch to the meeting – to begin a collaborative process that results in a detailed design and budget.
Because of the ecosystem of innovation that has been built in the province, groundbreaking companies such as 3Twenty Modular are finding it easier to come up with new solutions to age-old problems.
Compared to conventional design-bid-build construction, where owner, architect, design team, and contractor operate mostly in separate silos, design-build effectively establishes client needs and coordinates work among 3twenty’s in-house teams. The system gets shovels into the ground faster and avoids the finger pointing and fighting over costs that often occur in the traditional construction process.
3Twenty Modular is a general contractor that provides turnkey building solutions to commercial, education, institutional and industrial markets across Western Canada. Recent increases in federal government funding for housing initiatives have encouraged 3twenty to begin dabbling in residential projects as well. They’re now working on a 36-unit apartment building in Saskatoon and an 18-unit townhouse project in Prince Albert.
McCrea says the business is doing very well. 3twenty Modular grew an average 20 per cent annually over the last five years, growth that has been steady and, he believes, sustainable. The company has gone from 30 employees to about 100 since shifting direction. He takes immense pride in knowing 3twenty supports 100 families in the Saskatoon area.
He also takes pride in how well 3twenty’s projects are received in the communities they serve. One of his favourites is Dumont Lodge, constructed at Batoche National Historic Site on the traditional land of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S). The lodge, named after legendary 1885 North-West Resistance military commander Gabriel Dumont, was an initiative of a group of a Métis Elders who envisioned a comfortable facility where they could help Métis youth reconnect to their identity, culture, values, and traditions.
McCrea says the MN-S steering committee, including Elders, engaged 3twenty early on, when their idea was simply a dream. By all accounts, the process resulted in a hugely successful project that serves its goals in an effective and elegant manner. He says the 18,000 square-foot facility must be experienced to be fully appreciated. One of 3twenty’s designers, Sarah Hortness, did a “spectacular’’ job bringing Métis culture to the fore in the interior of the building. 3twenty collaborated with Métis architect Jason Surkan to integrate traditional Métis architecture into the exterior of the building.
Much has changed since McCrea and Willoughby landed $120,000 in investment cash. But McCrea, a popular speaker on entrepreneurship, says one thing that remains the same is the support Saskatchewan provides to start-up businesses. He doubts any other city or province encourages new business endeavours like Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. Business leaders here always have time to chat and share their knowledge and experience.
Saskatchewan continues to see consistent investment and economic growth, which is providing significant opportunities across all sectors.
“I just don’t think there’s another community where we could have started and grown this business the way we have, with the support we received. That’s not necessarily through contracts, but by simply being in our corner. That kind of support goes a long way.’’
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Trade and Export Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: media.ted@gov.sk.ca