Riding high┬áCaravan Logistics is poised for double-digit growth even in the face of a slowing economy. Keith Regan learns how the company is using hard data and a well-trained and carefully selected staff to drive that growth. For many businesses, outsourcing transportation and logistics is a logical way to contain costs and focus resources on core activities.   The decision to contract out those operations can also be a risky one if the logistics partner doesnÔÇÖt share the same values.

Endless possibilities┬áThe University of Calgary is enjoying the biggest phase of expansion in its 43-year history. Steve Dantzer talks to Gay Sutton about the revolutionary digital library project and why multidisciplinary facilities could stimulate groundbreaking research. In recent years the population of the province of Alberta has been increasing at a tremendous rate, driven by the expanding needs of the regionÔÇÖs huge oil and gas exploration industry.

Gateway to the future┬áBow Valley College is designing its future into its new campus, Jenn Monroe reports. In considering the design of its renovated and expanded main campus, Bow Valley College (BVC) wanted to make sure key components of its mission were represented. ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre not trying to make the building into a showcase,ÔÇØ says Bernard Benning, vice president of campus development. ÔÇ£There are no towers and no unbelievable artwork. ItÔÇÖs very comprehensive and businesslike.

The aging Shearwater helicopter base at Halifax, Nova Scotia is getting a new lease on life with a fast-track design-build contract awarded to Bird Construction. John OÔÇÖHanlon gets the story from project manager Bill ZisterBird Construction, established over 80 years ago, serves most market sectors, but having established a niche in military construction projects during the Second World War, it retains a special foothold and expertise in projects for the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND).

The Bank of Montreal goes back nearly 200 years, and now more than ever BMO Financial Group is heavily focused on ÔÇ£making money make senseÔÇØ for its customers, John OÔÇÖHanlon learns from senior executivesNo one needs reminding that ill winds are blowing through financial markets, and BMO has weathered economic cycles in the past. ÔÇ£We understand them, and we know how to manage through the downturns,ÔÇØ said BMOÔÇÖs president and CEO Bill Downe to industry analysts in September.

Performance excellence┬áMartin Ashcroft finds lean returning home to automotive through process improvements in a vehicle rental business. The business philosophy we now know as ÔÇ£leanÔÇØ has its roots in automotive manufacturing with Toyota. Many other industries have since seen its value, and the language of lean can now be heard in the corridors of healthcare facilities and financial institutions ÔÇö anywhere, in fact, where waste can be eliminated from processes.

Armour Group has grown steadily for more than 36 years with a business model that was way ahead of its time. Now it has brought environmental performance to a large office project with a first for Atlantic Canada, as Stuart McCrea explains to John OÔÇÖHanlonHalifax, Nova Scotia, goes back 260 years, having been only recently established when Captain James Cook wintered there and carried out his first surveys.

Water to wire┬áThe rising demand for clean renewable energy is causing a resurgence in new hydropower facilities, and Andritz Hydro is expanding in North America to meet it, learns Brendan A. Smith. Andritz Hydro, the market leader in design and supply of hydro turbines, has a diverse global presence. Headquartered in Graz, Austria, the parent company employs over 13,200 people around the world.

Leading lights┬áAny number of companies will broker power supplies for you, and many others will advise on energy-saving measures. American Energy Solutions will do all that and more, Ruari McCallion learns from Mike Moore.  When companies begin to take energy saving seriously, it can be a surprise to find out how much can be saved by quite simple measures. Close external doors, switch off power to unoccupied areas or unused equipment, change lighting to energy-saving technology and just watch the energy usage fall.

Resource deployment strategies┬áThe second article in the series on effective executive management during an economic downturn addresses the process of adjusting resource allocations during a period of reduced demand. IntroductionAn economic downturn tests a leaderÔÇÖs skills and mettle. In the first article of this series, we introduced a disciplined executive process to ensure that your company not only survives but is positioned to rapidly grow when economic conditions improve, as they will.