Degree of┬átrust┬áWith university degrees being almost compulsory within the modern corporate structure, itÔÇÖs interesting to see that businesses can still be hugely successful when guided by men of vision, if not holders of MBAs, as Alan T Swaby learns. ItÔÇÖs probably fair to say that when Richard Purkey established his metalworking business back in 1978, the last thing he expected was to see it develop into the substantial international business it has become today.┬á Back in the late 1970s, PurkeyÔÇÖs grassroots way of doing businessÔÇöfabricating w

An integrated team┬áVice president of facilities Brad Pollitt tells Gay Sutton how he has successfully shielded Shands HealthCareÔÇÖs latest project from the soaring cost of raw material, while creating an environment that nurtures patients, staff and the environment. A private not-for-profit organization, Shands HealthCare operates eight hospitals and a host of outpatient facilities in Florida and is currently engaged in the first phase of an ambitious expansion program at its thriving and highly regarded University of Florida academic medical center ca

Model of efficiency The University of Saskatchewan was modeled after some of the most renowned campuses in North America.

Flying┬áfinish┬áFocusing on healthcare and retail is helping S. M. Wilson & Co. build and strengthen its specialist expertise, and develop its reputation in its chosen markets, project executive Bill Wagner tells Ruari McCallion. Nearly 90 years after it was established by Shouse McGarvey Wilson, S. M. Wilson & Co. remains in family hands; company president Scott Wilson is the founderÔÇÖs grandson. Most family companies barely survive three generations; that S. M.

Vertical and diverse┬áR.E. PiersonÔÇÖs ever expanding range of construction and demolition capabilities has brought steady growth in revenues, expertise, and scope. Jaclyn Beck reports. In its heyday, the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey offered top-name entertainment. Frank Sinatra played his final public concerts there in November 1994, but it was overtaken by more modern casinos and the site had to be cleared for redevelopment.

Asset light asset right┬áWhile many competitors in the transportation and logistics business have built up debt through acquisitions of vehicles, Panalpina has taken an entirely different approach, as Alan T Swaby learns. You would think that the name of the third- or fourth-largest mover of freight in the world might be vaguely familiar, particularly as the writer spent a couple of years living in Switzerland, where the Panalpina Group has its corporate headquarters.

Sustainable┬ábusiness┬áNTD Architecture is a $50 million company that employs close to 300 architects, engineers, interior designers and support staff. COO Jay Whisenant tells John OÔÇÖHanlon about its truly innovative approach to client satisfaction. NTD Architecture specializes in the design and project management of institutional projects, and the firm has become well known for best practices in the design of hospitals, schools, higher-education institutions and civic buildings.

The winds of change┬áGlobal shipping agency Norton Lilly is eighteen months into a business transformation. CFO Jim Burton shares with Gay Sutton the secrets of managing change effectively. With a proud history dating back to 1841, Norton Lilly International is a well-known and highly respected name in the shipping industry. With offices in over 37 ports around the US plus others in Europe and the Middle East, it has grown to become North AmericaÔÇÖs largest independent shipping agency. Owned by H.W.

Far from smooth sailing┬áOperating in the Arctic Circle presents problems that few could imagine let alone cope with, as Alan T Swaby learns. Imagine offloading a freight container where there are no docks, jetties or even pontoons. To make matters worse, thereÔÇÖs a 50-foot tide and a sea full of ice. Even if itÔÇÖs not the middle of the night, which it could well be, thereÔÇÖs a good chance that visibility is not good.┬á It sounds like a nightmare, but for NEAS (Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping) itÔÇÖs what they face on a daily basis.

Potential energy┬áNB Power is the state-owned power generation and delivery company in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. As president and CEO David Hay tells Keith Regan, the utility aims to demonstrate how a state-run utility can improve operations by learning from the private sector. Like utilities across North America, New Brunswick Power came into being when government consolidated smaller private power companies to create a state-run electrical monopoly.