Be A Partner

Stephen Lovegrove, Operations Manager
Edmonton North
When did you start with Motion Canada? May 1, 2010

What other roles have you had at Motion Canada?
I have had a few roles and worked at a couple of different branches. When I started, I was as a Warehouse Service Representative at the Brandon, MB branch. For anyone that knows the crew there (shoutout to Anna, Larry and Kelly!) you’ll know what I mean when I say that I couldn’t have asked for better folks to look up to and learn the ropes of this industry from. And just from what I witnessed there I knew my career at Motion Canada would be pretty great, even if I didn’t know exactly how it would unfold.

Then, as Motion Canada acquired different businesses over the years and our breadth of capabilities and services increased, so many new and exciting opportunities opened up for employees like myself to learn and grow our careers. I have had the chance to try a few different roles in a couple of locations and now work as the Operations Manager for our Edmonton North location!

What do you like about working at Motion Canada?
In my 10+ years with Motion Canada, I have had the pleasure of working with and for some truly outstanding people, and even as I change locations or as the business grows and adapts, that is one thing that has remained constant: the incredible people.

If you were an ice cream flavour, which would you be and why?
Rocky Road, because it has all the best elements of all the best ice cream flavours with none of the gross flavours or elements (I’m looking at you, liquorice). Chocolate ice cream? Check. Nuts? Check. Marshmallows? Check. Chocolate chunks? Check! That earns two enthusiastic thumbs up from me.  

Justin McAlpine, Warehouse Supervisor
Edmonton, AB
When did you start at Motion Canada? 2013

What do you like about working at Motion Canada?
I enjoy working at Motion because there are new challenges every day to learn from, and I use my learnings in both my work and personal life, so I look forward to these challenges – they make me a better person and better at what I do!

Do you consider one or more people at work as friends? How does this make your work life better?
I consider some of the people I work with as friends and that dynamic does help when we go out for drinks or some bowling because we get to know each other like family. This is really useful when I happen to nail a strike and rub it in like the big brother I am!

Plus it means we have a lot of fun on the job. One Halloween I dressed up to match my colleague Kevin and surprised him by wearing his “uniform” – shorts, an orange shirt and boots. I even shaved my head to really nail the look! 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere it would have to be Japan. I’ve always been fascinated with the culture and food so someday I hope to make this travel dream a reality!

Is there a fictional character you identify with or who is basically you?
I really identify with Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski as he faces any challenge head on, usually while being cool as a cucumber.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am definitely and introvert with extrovert tendencies.

Ed McDonald, Area Sales Manager
Cambridge, ON
When did you start with Motion Canada? 2007

As an FPH employee who recently joined the Motion Canada team, how has your experience been?
It has been a pleasure getting to know the Motion team.

What do you like about working at Motion Canada?

I like the fact that we have a tremendous amount of resources that help us serve our customers and do our jobs with excellence.

How does having a friend at work make your experience at Motion Canada even better?
It helps with the journey and makes the workday flow more easily.

Is there something unique or specific about your role that you really enjoy?
Yes, I enjoy working with many different and interesting people in the field, along with getting a chance to see amazing machines, make wonderful products.

Have you learned anything cool about yourself while working here?
Yes, I have learned that I have a “go with the flow” mentality.

What other roles have you had at Motion Canada?
I don’t officially have any other defined rolls, but I am always willing to lend a helping hand even if the task is not technically in my job description.

What does “People & Culture” mean to you as an employee at Motion Canada?
For me they go hand in hand. When you have good people you breed good culture and vice versa.

Do you have a success story that you’d like to share?
Yes! We have a steel mill in our area that we have a great partnership with and they having some issues with a large shell and tube heat exchanger. We were exploring options for helping them and found that the cost of a new unit was too high. So we worked with a supplier to come up with a better package for the customer, and were able to present the customer with a package that both performed better and saved them a lot of money.

Do you have any advice for anyone just starting at Motion Canada?
Yes. I think Motion Canada is a bit like an onion. There are so many layers to the company and lots to discover.  You really need to peel things back and understand the company and what it has to offer customers and employees – which is a lot!

At Motion Canada, we believe that to be a partner with employees means giving employees what they need to be successful and providing outstanding culture and benefits (among other things!). What does be a partner mean to you?
Being a partner means working collaboratively and taking the good and bad together through thick and thin.

What is your favourite “guilty pleasure” song or artist?
Somewhere Down The Crazy River by Robbie Robertson.

Is there a TV or movie character who you identify with/is basically you?
Jack Tripper from Three’s Company.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go any why?
Anywhere in Europe. I love the landscape and the history.

Imagine you are given one million dollars – what are the first 3 things you do with it?
1. Throw a huge party.

2. Make sure my family is taken care of.

3. Make a hefty donation to a local charity.

If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
I would be French Vanilla, for the simple fact that it is a classic, consistent flavour.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert.

Sean Reid, Field Service Supervisor
Fort McMurray , AB
Started with Motion Canada? September 2014

What do you like about working at Motion Canada?
Motion Canada is hands down the best place I have ever worked. The ability to partner with such talented individuals on a day-to-day basis is second to none.

Have you learned anything cool about yourself while working here?
Yes – that I have much better interpersonal skills than I thought.

What does “People & Culture” mean to you as an employee at Motion Canada?
Motion Canada has an atmosphere of comradery. Our teams are tightly woven with people who are always willing to help however they can. I find this creates a culture where we are all working to the best of our abilities and know we can rely on each other.

Do you have a success story that you’d like to share?
I am unable to take full credit for my successes. The teams at Motion function as a finely tuned machine when it comes to working on service contracts and major projects and I have simply been lucky enough to be able to assist and offer my skill set.

Do you have any advice for anyone just starting at Motion Canada?
My best advice is to use the many resources available to each of us through the company. Everyone is happy to assist you as you learn and develop your skills.

At Motion Canada, we believe that to be a partner with employees means giving employees what they need to be successful and providing outstanding culture and benefits (among other things!). What does be a partner mean to you?
Motion Canada invests in their employees. They are always willing to provide training and resources to ensure you are not only great at your position but are set up for success.

Is there something unique or specific about your role that you really enjoy?
I truly enjoy the diversity of my position. One day we will be working on Hydraulic Power Units and the next we will be troubleshooting compressors. There is always a new challenge and an exciting task to tackle!

What is your favourite “guilty pleasure” song or artist?
Shania Twain (I blame my mum for that).

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go any why?
Gruene, Texas – they have a little hall where all my favourite musicians play.

Imagine you are given one million dollars – what are the first 3 things you do with it?
Buy a new truck, buy a new custom guitar and invest the rest.

If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
Vanilla. Plain and simple, but still most people’s favourite.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Depends on the day.

Heather Massey, Senior Customer Service Representative
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
When did you start with Motion Canada? I started with Commercial Solutions (CSI) back in 2006, then when Motion Canada acquired CSI in 2014 I became part of the Motion crew!

What do you like about working at Motion Canada?
No matter which branch I contact we are all working together and willing to help each other.

Is there something unique or specific about your role that you really enjoy?
The variety in my day-to-day. As a CSR I get to be creative and come up with solutions and options that help our clients succeed.

Do you have any advice for anyone just starting at Motion Canada?
Explore the culture, explore the training options, seek out a mentor, build, connect and grow yourself and your skill set – Motion Canada is an excellent place to do this because there is so much support for learning.

At Motion Canada, we believe that to be a partner with employees means giving employees what they need to be successful and providing outstanding culture and benefits (among other things!). What does be a partner mean to you?
In simple terms, it’s an agreement between the employee and the company – we as employees offer our knowledge and expertise to the company, and the company supports us in growing even more. Motion Canada gives us a lot of trust and freedom to do our jobs and opportunities to pursue learning and training programs that benefit us as individuals – whatever that may look like!

What is your favourite “guilty pleasure”?
Dark chocolate with chili and this old-school emoj: (^_^)

If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
Vanilla – it is a good base. You can add so much to it and get great flavor combinations. And I think vanilla is kind-of a metaphor for life: it’s pretty good on its own, but you can add to it and make it even better!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert.