EllisDon, founded in 1951 by brothers Don and David Ellis Smith in London, Ontario, Canada, is a $5 billion-a-year construction services firm that has grown dramatically beyond its humble beginnings in London. Their first job at the time was just a minor home improvement, which was followed by the construction of Northdale Elementary School. David left the company soon after it was founded, and Don’s wife, Joan, (the matriarch of EllisDon), joined as a bookkeeper/accountant.
The firm succeeded in its early days due to its employees’ excellent spirit, hard work, and optimistic attitudes. Don and Joan established and formed a culture based on the following principles: efficiency, innovation, hard work, being ready to change fast, having a good attitude, freedom, empowerment, and providing outstanding customer service. These principles are still followed by the company today. And, from humble beginnings, they have evolved to become a world-leading construction and building services corporation that creates everything, everywhere, while offering whatever service its clients require. In order to get to where they are now, their employees have created several “industry firsts” for the Canadian and global sector.
Furthermore, EllisDon has positioned itself as a “Cradle To Grave” Services Provider with assured performance outcomes through its Capital Services, Facilities Management, and Sustainable Buildings Divisions. EllisDon is dedicated to leading the upcoming construction disruption, having recently launched pioneering projects in energy management, smart building software, and data analytics. With over 5,000 salaried and hourly employees spread across fifteen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in nearly every sector and facet of the construction industry that wants to shine a bright light on all potential problems, successes, opportunities, and innovative ideas.
