In March of 1976, I embarked on a journey with Port Hawkesbury Paper, joining the Engineering Department as a Technician. Over the decades, my primary focus has been on the heavy industrial aspects of our operations, particularly in our Wood Rooms and Paper Machines.

Back in the mid-to-late 80s, we reached out to Ray Sullivan at BID Canada for a proposal on a chain conveyor for our wood room. That project marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. The conveyor we built, installed, and ran for many years laid the foundation for a collaborative partnership based on mutual respect and an understanding of each other’s design abilities.

Working together, we achieved a synergy where 1 + 1 = 3. Our designs were tailored for quick installations or “Extra Heavy” styles where necessary, and we worked closely with one another to ensure there were no surprises along the way. Good suppliers who truly focus on what they’re providing are difficult to find, and we’ve been fortunate to maintain a relationship that prioritizes simple, well-built, and fairly priced equipment every time.

For nearly four decades, we’ve relied on these partners for almost all our conveyor replacements. Our shared understanding of the scope and scale of designing industrial gear has been pivotal to our ongoing success. As one of our bearing suppliers wisely puts it: “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the essence of our partnership.

Having a reliable contact at BID Canada in Derek Lawrence, who truly understands our mill, been invaluable. Derek’s expertise ensured that each project was a perfect fit, both in terms of construction and performance.

We want to express our sincere appreciation for your unwavering support. The folks in our Maintenance Department have noted zero issues with any of our parts requests, and we currently have two projects in the pipeline for review. We look forward to continuing this exceptional partnership well into the future.

Thank you for your dedication and quality service.

Bill Coady

*Derek Lawrence would like to recognize the contributions of Ray & Pat Sullivan, Brent Manuel, Bruce Bradley, Corey Ivey and Shawn Dore, among others, who were all vital and instrumental to building and maintaining that relationship and performing all of the conveyor projects where B.I.D. and Port Hawkesbury Paper/NewPage/StoraEnso/Stora worked together.