Alberta’s newest Young Entrepreneur Award winner Jason Parks started Profab Welding in 2003 with one welding truck and a lot ambition.

Parks soon found a major contract, opened a shop and started hiring staff. Since then, Profab has become a major player in Alberta’s oilfield industry.

“We went from the company being me and one truck to a staff of over 100, and we went through the recession which was really tough,” said Parks.

The company survived the recession by diversifying and expanding into a second location.

Profab remains one step ahead of the industry as best it can, and continues to build solid client relationships and invest in research and development, he said.

“You can’t sit still if you want to be in the game.”

Having left school at the age of 15, Parks gave up the dream of becoming an NHL hockey player and moved on to his back-up plan of working in welding.

Profab Welding currently has two offices, one in Red Deer and one in Grande Prairie.

There are also plans to open a Calgary head office later this year.

“The difference between my business and a lot of others is I have a lot of pride and heart in my company.”

Profab has many divisions including manufacturing drilling rigs and pressure equipment as well as research and development with an engineer on staff.

“We are planning on doubling our Red Deer operation in less than two years. Red Deer has been really good to us so far with great staff and clientele.”

Parks said he most enjoys the people, the energy, and the sense of pride he has in his job.

“We just did the oil show in Grande Prairie and I got to spend some personal time with my staff after hours and a big group of key people said they would come to work even if they weren’t getting paid.

“We all have our strengths and weaknesses and we put our heads together and build off of our strengths.”

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com