Our corporate history spans to 1968 with our flagship company, Gateway Refrigeration Ltd. Founded by Bill Ohe, Gateway Refrigeration made its entrance, as a service contracting business, primarily serving the residential refrigeration market.

 

From 1968 to 1978, Bill made the transition from residential refrigeration to the commercial market. By 1978, Gateway Refrigeration Ltd. employed 20 people full-time and was in prime shape to react to the Alberta boom. Gateway had evolved to become a serious competitor in the commercial refrigeration service and construction markets.

 

By the early 1980's, Gateway had captured a major share of the commercial refrigeration market in Northern Alberta. In 1983, Gateway started the heating and air conditioning service group. This diversity of service was a strong replacement for the weaker construction market and added stability and profit during a time of economic insecurity.

 

In 1980, Gateway Mechanical Installations Ltd. was formed to respond to expanded contracting opportunities. When the construction market dropped, this company converted to a capital asset leasing company to serve internal needs. In 1995, the name was changed to Vector Capital Inc. to closer reflect its true purpose. In 1996 Vector Capital was fully absorbed by Vector Industries Inc.

 

In 1984, Park Refrigeration of Edmonton was purchased for the strength of its staff and its customer base, most of who are still with us today.

 

In 1988, Gateway Refrigeration Ltd. (Calgary) was started on the strength of a long-time Calgarian and industry leader.

 

In 1992, Gateway Refrigeration Ltd. (Saskatoon), was started by transferring one staff member from Edmonton to manage a large kick-off project and to incubate local staff and business. This business did not produce the results needed and was wound down in 1997.

 

In 1993, Pace Industrial Refrigeration Ltd. of Edmonton joined our group and expanded our service technology to include the industrial markets. Over the past 20 years, Pace has developed a very high level of technical expertise. This, combined with Gateway's marketing and administration, has propelled them to lead the industry in Northern Alberta.

 

In 1994, Gateway's divisional growth was expanded by the addition of a store fixture division. This department was spring-boarded on the successful negotiations of a range of strong product lines and experienced people. Equipment supply has also been a great lead-in to the ensuing installation and service business.

 

In 1994, Commercial Refrigeration Ltd. of Edmonton and Kelowna joined, allowing us access to the recreational fabricaton and installation business. We immediately reconfigured Commercial to focus on their strengths in fabrication. Commercial has since incorporated in the United States as Commercial Refrigeration (USA) Inc. with a small location in Los Angeles.

 

To realize our required growth and progress, we are willing and open to operate under a constant state of change.  Vector Industries is now breaking new ground in our industry for both volume and diversity.