Clearford Expands Service Offering into Remote Operations
Clearford continues to leverage operations skills by expanding into remote operations of Mining, and Oil and Gas facilities.
Clearford started as a small company offering a wastewater collection system based on the effluent sewer. with less than 10 employees and a service area comprising a few installed sites, Clearford operated in a narrow wastewater treatment niche: Design-Build of decentralized wastewater collection systems.
Repositioning the company into Ontario’s largest operator of private water and wastewater systems required a series of acquisitions and the consolidation of several smaller operating companies.
Today, with over 100 employees and an operations territory that spans 140,000 square kilometres, Clearford is now in position to service Canadian communities beyond Ontario.
Remote water and wastewater operations—the newest addition to Clearford’s Operations Group, providing water and wastewater treatment services to remote locations for Mining and Oil and Gas companies. When expanding services, it is important to communicate the new service. In this article, you will discover what defines remote operations and the five strategies Clearford is utilizing to expand into this service area.
1. Defining Remote Operations
What does remote operation mean to Clearford? Remote operations refers to operating a water and/or wastewater treatment system at a remote location, sometimes accessible only by small aircraft. While specific operators are recruited for these positions, qualified staff within Clearford’s operations group are given the opportunity to work on these interesting and challenging assignments.
2. Strategy
In a recent blog post, Clearford Opens Tenth Operations Hub, Clearford describes the considerations and challenges of opening a new service hub in Thunder Bay, which is the first hub that does not share direct geographic boundaries with the other nine hubs.
The target market for the new Remote Operations Group are Mining, Oil and Gas, and First Nations.
To successfully move into these new markets, it is important to fully understand client expectations. Preparing for the foreseen and unforeseen circumstances, site-specific problem‑solving capabilities, and capacity to meet demands are key success factors.
3. Staffing
Staffing a remote operations group begins with evaluating internal expertise. Providing a new opportunity to existing staff can present a unique career development path and allow for leveraging of existing talent within the company.
The remaining positions are filled with remote operations specialists, often with mining industry experience, resulting in a strong multidisciplinary team to operate a water and wastewater systems.
4. Identify Service Area Challenges
Expanding into a new service offering, in a new geographic area, presents several considerations. In addition to the mentioned staffing strategies, project management and Health and Safety protocols were intensified to ensure the remote and local staff were safe in the new work environment.
A staggered schedule optimized operations efficiencies for Ontario operators when temporarily relocating for the project-based assignment.
5. Corporate Image
A company’s image goes beyond equipping operations staff with branded gear and supplies. Developing key messaging helps illustrate Clearford’s corporate culture and the value Clearford’s services bring to our clients and their projects. Consistent communication across company channels, including website, newsletters, and social media, promotes company image and brand. Delivery of smart safe water and wastewater services deliver tangible benefits of cost-effective, eco-friendly, and scalable solutions in remote operations.
If you found interest in this article and would like to join the Remote Operations Group, please contact Clearford Human Resources via email careers@clearford.com or visit our Careers webpage.
