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88 89 ACE ENGINEERING LTD. contractors, ourselves.” Over the last several years, ACE Engineering Ltd.’s workforce has fluctuated with the local economy and the ups and downs of the con- struction sector. At one time or another it had anywhere from approximately 40 to 120 employ- ees. “In 2012, we had more than 120,” Le Blanc remembers. “2014-16 were our leanest years; we had just about 43 employees at the end of 2016.” When asked what differentiates his compa- ny from the competition, Le Blanc points to its mission statement: “To satisfy our clients’ re- quirements by providing good quality and timely services in a financially viable manner, while maintaining a good and safe environment where people can showcase their talents.” “Our strategy is led by our mission,” he con- tinues. “Satisfying our customers so the net effect is a customer who wants us back; pro- viding the required quality always and within the time allocated; being efficient, so we can justify and maintain our pricing with a reason- able profit; running a tight ship, financially, so our bankers have no issue in providing finance; and treating our employees well and getting them to have a vested interest in our mission.” The company also continues to innovate and look for more efficient ways of doing things.“Even after we have priced a job,we continue to research and consid- er different approaches in order to improve efficien- cy and safety. We will invest in new,more efficient equipment whenever it is the best strategy.” Le Blanc adds that staying solvent means staying on top of the nuts and bolts of the con- struction business. “Construction is entwined in laws, rules, and formalities,” he says. “You have to understand the various technical, regulatory, and legal requirements of the business in order to obtain the best value in each undertaking and to stay in business.” Over the next several years, Le Blanc says that ACE Engineering Ltd.’s agenda includes renewing its equipment fleet, and planning for its suc- cession. “Making sure that when I move on, and the other shareholders move on, that there are people who can continue to provide services and keep the mission alive,” he relates. In addition, Le Blanc says that ACE Engineering will continue its fight for a more open and trans- parent public procurement system in Dominica. “We have found that the market for locally-fi- nanced work is not as open and transparent as it ought to be,” he claims. “That has affected how we do business. It’s made it even more difficult to get work from the government, directly. As a company, we have spent much human and finan- cial resources aimed at fixing that, so that we have an opportunity to get a share of the market and the taxpayers get value for their money.” Nonetheless, Le Blanc stresses that ACE Engi- neering Ltd will continue to ply its trade strictly in the country where it all began.“The directors took the strategic decision not to island hop for work; to limit company growth in order that we have a reasonable life with our families,”he says.“The same for our employees. Quite often, people see business as the only important thing.Happiness for us is being the best at what you do where you are and allowing others to do the same.We have evolved over the last 20 years to being a significant economic player in Dominica.We have imprinted our mark on construction in many ways.We have touched the lives of many persons, mostly rather inconspicuously - but profoundly.We would want to continue to do so for years to come.” PREFERRED VENDOR n E.H. Charles & Co. Ltd. www.ehcharlescoltd.com Established in 1967, E.H. Charles & Co. Ltd. manufactures housing components, including timber doors, windows, and mill- work. In 1981, the company began supplying builders’ hardware and building materials. The company is also the agent in Dominica for True Value Hardware, the Makita Corporation, and Berger Paints.