When Bernie Blakely joined the OSCO Construction Group in 1996 as a plant manager for Ocean Steel, he never imagined he’d still be part of the company nearly three decades later.

On a bright spring afternoon overlooking the Saint John Harbour from their Chesley Drive headquartered office, he shared how “OSCO isn’t the kind of place you just pass through.” Bernie, now the Manager of Business Development for Ocean Steel, explained how it’s a company that builds things that last, which includes structures, careers, and relationships.

OSCO has been a quiet powerhouse in Canada’s industrial and infrastructure landscape for years. But today, they’re making strategic moves to expand into Ontario - driven by a philosophy that combines innovation, integration, and people-first values.

With experienced industry leading companies in both precast concrete and structural steel, Bernie has watched OSCO’s evolution from a regional manufacturer to a national player. That growth has come not just through scale, but by offering something unique in the market: integration.

“There aren’t many companies out there who can say they do both steel and precast in-house, engineered and built by the same team,” explained Bernie. “That’s how we deliver on big, fast-paced projects, like the work we’ve done in Alberta’s mining sector, or now, in Toronto.”

But entering new markets doesn’t just mean shipping products across provincial lines - it means building trust locally.

“Face-to-face is still critical,” Bernie emphasizes. “To compete in places like the GTA, you’ve got to have boots on the ground and follow through every time.”

Growing with Greenwood

That local presence got a major boost in 2024, when OSCO acquired Greenwood Ready Mix in Orangeville, Ontario. Kevin Kimberley, Greenwood’s Business Development Manager, has seen firsthand how that partnership is opening new doors.

“Greenwood’s been around a long time, we’re established here in Ontario. But being part of the OSCO family now gives us a huge advantage,” Kevin said. “Their support in human resources, safety, and marketing helps us focus on what we do best - delivering quality concrete.”

Greenwood currently operates three plants and employs more than 40 people, and Kevin sees major potential ahead.

“There’s no shortage of opportunity in Ontario, especially with big events like the Canadian Open coming to our area this year. It’s an exciting time.”

And while Kevin’s first trip to New Brunswick will take place this spring, he has already experienced the maritime hospitality that comes from working for a company headquartered on the east coast.

“You can tell the team cares about people. I’m looking forward to visiting - it’s nice to be part of something bigger.”

Investing in the Future

Just down the road in Woodstock, Ontario, OSCO is completing construction on a new, state-of-the-art precast plant - a project that Ozgun Dervisoglu, Director of Preconstruction and Pursuit at PreCon (an OSCO company), has helped bring to life.

“We’ve been serving Ontario for years through PreCon,” explains Ozgun. “But with this new facility, we’ll be able to manufacture more efficiently, safely, and sustainably, right here in the province.”

Ozgun’s career with PreCon began in 2005, shortly after arriving in Canada from Turkey. Following OSCO’s acquisition of PreCon in 2020, he’s seen how the company’s leadership and family-oriented values have strengthened the business.

“It’s not just about new technology, though we’ll have that too,” he said, referring to the plant’s advanced automation systems. “It’s about building something that brings value to the local economy, while staying connected to OSCO’s Atlantic Canadian roots.”

He also shared that Atlantic Canadian companies like OSCO succeed in the Ontario market due to their open-minded approach, blending methods, experiences, and ideas from both regions. This adaptability allows them to thrive and effectively navigate the unique dynamics of each market.

A Legacy of Trust

For all three leaders, one thing is clear - OSCO’s expansion is being guided by the same principles that made it successful in the first place - strong relationships, technical excellence, and long-term thinking.

“Whether you’re on a job site in Saint John or Orangeville, what matters most is being dependable,” explained Bernie. “That’s how you earn repeat work, and that’s how OSCO has grown - one handshake at a time.”

Learn more: https://oscoconstructiongroup.com/level-up/