Atlantic Drilling and Blasting named Business of the Year

It wasn't dessert, but a sweet surprise all the same for the owner of Atlantic Drilling and Blasting Ltd. as he accepted the Chamber Business of the Year award at Thursday's gala dinner - an event that concluded Small Business Week activities in Port aux Basques.

This was the first time the chamber presented just one award to honour a business for outstanding achievement, which it will continue to do in years to come. In previous years there has been a minimum of three awards handed out in three different categories.

Francis and Mary Gale's drilling and blasting business started in 1981 and has grown to become one of the largest drilling companies in the province for artesian wells.

While water well drilling remains to be the major revenue generator for the company, which drills between 100 and 150 wells each year. Other avenues are regularly explored to find new sources of revenue such as exploration drilling for oil and water, geothermal heat systems, quarry drilling and blasting, pump installations and repairs.

Today, Atlantic Drilling and Blasting Ltd. in the Codroy Valley employs 15 people. Mr. Gale said he only hires local people, even though the company's jobs are spread from Newfoundland and Labrador to New Brunswick, including the northern shore of Quebec. Mr. Gale believes in continuous training and certification for his staff.

Mr. Gale has contributes to the water well industry through the Newfoundland and Labrador Water Well Association and also to the national course that was recently helped to create.

His company is also in current discussions with the College of the North Atlantic to develop a drilling program so that others can learn the trade.

Rather than the traditional acceptance speech, Mr. Gale used his time at the podium to talk about some ideas that he feels should be investigated to bring economic growth to the Southwest coast. Those ideas surround oil and gas opportunities and the Laurentain sub-basin, the removal of Vardy's Island to accommodate cruise ships and exporting rock, to name a few.

The others nominees for the award were Spencer's Auto Ltd. and Grant Motors Auto Body Repair.

Spencer's Auto on 1 Reid Street, started operating in 1981 and has grown from a one-bay garage to a three double-bay garage with hi-tech diagnostic equipment. The privately owned business employs four people.

Grant Motors Auto Body Repair began operations in 1979 and in recent years employs four people in its Grand Bay West location.

Business owner Gary Grant is involved in the community through volunteering with sporting organizations and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Grant says one of his favourite things to do is meet new people and joke around with his customers and staff.

editor@gulfnews.ca