Construction in the 21st Century is an industry with many challenges. While companies can adapt and grow with shifting landscapes and customer requirements, keeping up with constantly evolving technologies tends to be a more difficult hurdle to clear. These are innovations that require specialized equipment and staff, both of which can be expensive and difficult to find. However, for those working in the field, upgrading to a knowledge base that can service these technologies can represent an exciting and rewarding way to build a profitable business. Canadian electrical and telecommunications contractor Seletech Electrical Enterprises Ltd. embraced this challenge before most and has achieved great success as a result.
Delve into the realm of advanced electrical and telecommunications services with Seletech—a leading contractor delivering comprehensive solutions. Their expertise spans commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, encompassing a diverse range of disciplines. The company was founded in May 1993 by Branko Selebay, and its focus has always been on high-quality work and direct customer service.
Branko’s visionary leadership led him to seize a prime opportunity for Seletech’s expansion into telecommunications services in 2013. Due to a reshuffling at another contracting firm, a pool of talented staff suddenly became available. Branko wasted no time, swiftly hiring these highly skilled professionals resulting in an overnight doubling of Seletech’s size. The strategic move enabled the company to diversify their offerings by incorporating certified structured cabling and turn-key fiber optic solutions. By swiftly capitalizing on this fortunate turn of events, Branko not only propelled Seletech’s growth but also solidified their standing as a formidable player in the industry.
Embracing their successful expansion into telecommunications services, Seletech has maintained their forward-thinking approach. Recognizing the ever-evolving needs of their clients, they have further bolstered their team by incorporating key individuals who specialize in automation and controls. Not stopping there, Seletech has also expanded their repertoire to encompass a comprehensive range of security solutions. By continually adapting and enhancing their offerings, Seletech has positioned themselves as a contractor of choice, catering to the diverse needs of their clientele.
By keeping their focus on providing a quality and skilled service, the company has flourished. Seletech now has offices in both Calgary and Edmonton with a network of partners that allows them to serve customers across Canada. The company employs more than 150 employees and continues to grow. “We have a very diverse group of individuals that work for us. We have people from all walks of life, all corners of the globe,” says Shawn Bishop, Director of Operations. “I think that goes a long way to making it a great place to work. We’ve always looked for people who possess unique qualities, and as a result we have found some of the best people in the industry.”
Seletech’s foundation lies in the electrical industry, where they have established themselves as a reputable provider of high-quality services. While encompassing the standard offerings one would expect from an electrical contractor, Seletech has gone above and beyond to position themselves as leaders in specialized areas of the trade. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, the company excels in fire alarm installation, automation and controls, and DC power solutions. This distinguished expertise sets Seletech apart, earning them a stellar reputation among clients. Their team of seasoned professionals possesses the experience and proficiency to seamlessly guide any electrical project from inception to completion. When it comes to both electrical and telecommunications sectors, Seletech remains dedicated to delivering top-notch service that exceeds expectations.
Seletech has established a robust presence in the telecommunications sector, with a strong focus in Alberta. Under the guidance of Brady Dayton RCDD, the telecommunications team leads the charge with expertise and passion. The company offers a comprehensive range of services that span from fundamental offerings like structured cabling and fiber optic installations to the intricate realm of outside plant (OSP) fiber optic installations. Ed Morgan, Director of Business Development, emphasizes the importance of being well-versed in all facets of connectivity, stating, “We need to be experts in everything that connects to a blue cable.”
“We’re constantly keeping our eyes open for ways that we can be more efficient, staying current with trends and changes in technology.”
Seletech takes pride in conducting most telecommunications services in-house, a strategic approach that ensures project efficiency and delivers significant cost savings for their clients. Shawn Bishop, Director of Operations, highlights the company’s unique position in the industry, stating, “When it comes to telecommunications, we stand out as one of the few companies engaged in every aspect of the field.” This includes comprehensive offerings ranging from internal structured cabling and coax cabling to fiber optic cabling. Furthermore, Seletech offers turnkey solutions that encompass civil work such as conduit and ducting installation, ensuring a seamless integration of cables. The company excels in every step of the process, from splicing and terminations to thorough testing and certifications. Additionally, Seletech boasts a team of experts skilled in wireless design, enabling them to design and implement wireless solutions for their valued clients.
When working in a field as complex and nuanced as telecommunications, it is important to maintain high standards. In this regard, Seletech goes to great lengths to ensure continuity and service. The company has a team of highly-skilled communication technicians, installers, and apprentices, along with the necessary proprietary equipment. This means that the company has complete control over their projects and can offer one of the most important services to their customers, reliability. Its fiber optics division is fully equipped with state-of-the-art fiber optic splicers and test equipment, making it capable of delivering the highest quality fiber optic results on any project. With a registered communications distribution designer on staff and full certifications with major manufacturers like CommScope, Panduit, and Belden, the company can provide certification and warranty for a wide array of projects, including data center cabling and management.
With a 30-year track record of providing long-term quality services, it is no surprise to learn that Seletech has won over many loyal clients, including all major telecommunications providers in Alberta. Shawn explains that at Seletech, working with customers is more than a transaction. “We look for relationship-based opportunities and not just lowest price wins. Our goal is to work with our customers long-term so that we can provide services for them on both large and small projects.”
These relationships, like all successful partnerships, are based on longevity and stability and form the cornerstone of the company’s success. By prioritizing flexibility and responsiveness to their clients’ evolving needs, Seletech have witnessed remarkable triumphs along the way. Shawn recounts an instance where an existing client approached them with an unconventional request: residential service expansion. Although this was not a service Seletech offered at the time, the client believed in their potential and recommended trusted individuals for the task. Seletech swiftly recruited and supported these key personnel, resulting in remarkable growth, from a modest team of six to over 30 in-home residential experts, within a few months. It was an ambitious undertaking within a tight timeframe, but Seletech adapted swiftly and achieved resounding success. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to their ability to embrace new endeavors and excel in unfamiliar territories. Today, Seletech proudly continues to provide exceptional residential services, a testament to their enduring adaptability and commitment to meeting client demands.
With three decades of industry expertise under their belt, Seletech understands the significance of staying ahead in the ever-evolving electrical and telecommunications landscape. Among the various aspects the company prides itself on, Branko’s leadership in safety stands out prominently. Recognizing the paramount importance of worker well-being, Seletech has diligently maintained its COR designation since 1999, solidifying their commitment to health and safety in the workplace.
Shawn highlights the industry-wide shift towards an increased emphasis on safety, particularly in the industrial and commercial sectors. He affirms Seletech’s longstanding culture of prioritizing safety and striving for excellence, stating, “We have always fostered a strong safety culture, with an unwavering focus on doing things the right way. Our ultimate goal is for every individual to return home safely at the end of the day.” However, Shawn acknowledges that the administrative aspect of safety has required continual growth and development, an area in which Seletech have actively invested their efforts.
Under Branko’s leadership, Seletech remains dedicated to fostering a culture of safety, continually evolving and adapting to meet the highest standards. The company’s enduring commitment to worker well-being sets them apart as an industry leader, ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of their operations. However, it is in the area of technological advances that Shawn really sees the greatest evolution. For him however, it is simple; as technology develops, so does Seletech. “We’re constantly keeping our eyes open for ways that we can be more efficient, staying current with trends and changes in technology.” This is best demonstrated by Seletech’s commitment to investing in the necessary equipment, such as power analyzers, fiber optic test equipment, network test equipment, and Wi-Fi analyzers, to provide the best services for their customers. Additionally, they own a large fleet of vehicles, including bucket trucks, bucket vans, picker trucks, and scissor lifts, to ensure their work is not affected by potential shortages in rental equipment.
As the industry progresses, Seletech have actively engaged in complex and intricate projects that reflect the evolving landscape. The company have become a key player in large-scale DAS (distributed antenna systems) projects, catering to telecommunications providers, hospitals, airports, and shopping malls throughout Alberta. Shawn highlights their current focus on in-building cellular solutions, which have gained paramount importance with the transition to 5G technology. The transition to 5G necessitates a significant increase in the quantity of radios and antennas, requiring a shift from single large antennas to multiple distributed ones. To exemplify the scale of their endeavors, Seletech is presently involved in a project that entails the installation of fifteen kilometers of hybrid fiber cable within a building. This project signifies the company’s proficiency in managing and implementing cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure to meet the demands of a rapidly advancing industry.
In an ever-evolving technological landscape, adaptability becomes paramount for companies to thrive. Looking ahead, Shawn envisions a balanced approach for Seletech, combining stability and long-term growth with nimbleness and adaptability. The company is driven by a dual purpose: supporting the local community and empowering individuals through meaningful change and growth. Seletech aims to become an employer of choice, fostering a work environment where the team takes pride in their contributions.
With an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, Seletech charts a trajectory of continued success. Their aim is to retain their esteemed reputation as one of Alberta’s premier electrical and telecommunications contractors. Shawn emphasizes the gratification that comes from the work they do, stating, “The work we undertake is truly something to take pride in. Its positive impact on the community is tangible and rewarding.”
Seletech’s unwavering dedication to their employees and the community, coupled with their adaptability and pursuit of excellence, positions them as a beacon of long-term stability and growth. As they continue to evolve and innovate, Seletech strive to maintain their status as an industry leader, making a lasting and positive difference in the lives of their team and the community they serve.
Seletech’s journey exemplifies the potential for success when a company wholeheartedly embraces the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving technologies. Their commitment to connecting people through technology showcases their unwavering determination to not only adapt to change, but also shape the future of the industry. Seletech’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration and a testament to the rewards that lie in building a profitable business while fostering collaboration and harnessing the true potential of technology.
