Vision, Experience and Integrity... these are the core values of who we are and what we do. When you succeed, we succeed! Scheffer Andrew Ltd. is a leading supplier of professional engineering and planning services in western Canada. For 40 years, we have provided Canadian clients with an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to land services and unparalleled professionalism.
In 2016, Scheffer Andrew Ltd. celebrated 40 years of success and controlled growth! Founded in 1976 by Marinus (Rien) Scheffer, the firm is now a full service planning and engineering firm with three offices throughout Alberta. Its experience is in all facets of land development, municipal engineering, land use, transportation planning, roadway design and construction, and drainage engineering projects.
The client list includes cities, counties, and towns, and private sector developers throughout Western Canada. Scheffer Andrew Ltd. provides the required engineering and management expertise from planning to post construction and an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to transportation and roadway design. Their land development expertise starts with raw land, and extends through all planning, design, and construction phases to post-construction.
Scheffer Andrew uses the latest technology allowing them to quickly and efficiently complete projects. This includes tools and equipment such as current upgrades for AutoCADD Civil 3D, PCSWMM Professional, GPS survey equipment, iPads with remote connectivity to their servers, Topcon IS Mini Scanner, and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for project observation and topographic surveys.
A high level listing of the company’s service offering includes:
- Feasibility Analysis
- Outlines/Conceptual Schemes
- Land Use Amendments
- Architectural Guidelines & Implementation
- Preliminary Engineering (including SWM, HNA, sanitary analysis, grading plans)
- Construction Engineering & Management
- Marketing/Sales Plans & Community Logos
- Master Plans
- Subdivision Design
- Community & Stakeholder Consultation
- Topographic Surveys
- Detailed Engineering Design and Tendering or Negotiating Construction Contracts
- Post Construction Engineering Services
What has made Scheffer Andrew successful is its unwavering focus on its people and commitment to service, quality, and efficiency. Moreover, it’s been this way right from the beginning. Rien was born in post-war Netherlands. Shortly thereafter, his family emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada, settling in Edmonton. Rien graduated from U of A in Civil Engineering in 1968, signing on with Stanley Associates at their Edmonton office. A few years later he took a sabbatical to complete his Master’s at University of California Berkeley and then returned to Stantec in Calgary. Although trained as an engineer, Rien had an intuitive understanding of business management as well as the value of developing and maintaining relations with people.
By 1976, Rien realized he wanted to run his own shop, so he struck out on his own, forming Scheffer Consultants Ltd. to capitalize on the goodwill he had engendered over the years. Though enjoying success on transportation projects in Calgary, he was also doing a lot of work with developers in Medicine Hat, so the obvious step was to open a branch office there; one that still operates to this day. Meanwhile, his transportation work was shifting to the Edmonton area, so Rien relocated back to his hometown in 1981.
Now with a small staff to support the projects coming his way, Rien established a number of informal partnerships to help grow the business. One of these included John Andrew, A.C.P., who specialized in land use planning, particularly as it related to Municipal Development Plans, Area Structure Plans, and Subdivisions. Eventually John and Rien realized they would be stronger by merging their companies to form Scheffer Andrew Ltd. Together they flourished – the reputation for their combined experience and knowledge grew throughout the province, and the work came in. John retired in 2012. “He was a great contributor to our growth and success over the years. John certainly left his mark on the company, and to that I, and we, owe him a big ‘thank you’,” Says Rien, reflecting on his 20-plus year partnership.
Another to whom Rien attributes his success over the years is the late Jim Grant, a client who founded All Pine Development Ltd. One of Rien’s takeaways from that lengthy friendship was how to motivate people and to better understand client concerns. The current staff of Scheffer Andrew reflects those ideals to include engineers and planners with international experience and years working “on the other side”, at public sector offices, both local government and provincial authorities, and with private developers.
“It’s good to be able to sit down with clients for a particular project and identify with their project’s requirements because our people have seen it from their side. They’ve been there, done that.” Jason Maurer, P.Eng., is a senior engineer with the company, and Vice President, Operations. “It’s a strength of the company. Our people, all the way up and down the line, have good relationships with our clients. Their commitment shows, and this builds trust.” Putting the clients’ needs first means that Scheffer Andrew has to be flexible. And in the current market, that flexibility is important. Adds Jason, “We’ve been able to step back a bit and take a closer look at how we do things; our efficiency of operation.”
This blending of diverse skill, managerial acumen, good relationship building, and customized solutions has contributed to the success of the employee-owned company, and will continue to be the foundation as Scheffer Andrew Ltd. looks towards the next 40 years.
Scheffer Andrew offers a range of specific services for our clients. More information is available about each of our primary
areas of service:
It is our pleasure to work with you.
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professional engineering consultants in Edmonton
Rien Scheffer, founder and former CEO, left, and Jason Maurer, President / CEO