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Patrick Lake

Western UTS provides utility locates, gas leak surveys, and mechanical contracting for environmental, geotechnical, and utility companies, as well as government, institutional, and industrial sites across Canada. The company uses innovative technology to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Tell us about yourself?

Western UTS is a family business which my father started in 1984. I began working there at the age of 12 and took over operations in 2017.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

To look beyond the struggles of the immediate future, including the impacts of COVID-19 and keep pushing forward  – because ups inevitably follow downs, and better times are always ahead.

What problem does your business solve?

We create a safer working environment for our clients, protecting against gas leaks and other hazards as well as underground utility strikes.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

The business was founded to make workplaces safer. We strive to formulate solutions to customer challenges while also advising clients of safety issues they might not have otherwise known about.

What is your magic sauce?

We are driven by innovation and formulating solutions using a different perspective. A great example is our ownership stake in HAWK, an aerial documentation tool that takes 360-degree photos and plots the GPS coordinates of where the photos were taken. HAWK provides customers with remote access to job sites, so they can assess safety issues, review installations and keep accurate records of every project. By investing in new innovations like this, we’re able to offer our clients top-quality service that exceeds expectations.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

Over the next five years, we plan to diversify and expand the business. We will also continue evolving our safety procedures, advance HAWK operations, and break into new markets.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Like many businesses, Western UTS was hit hard by the global pandemic. However, we maintained the course, and through hard work, perseverance and diversification of our services. We’ve come out the other side stronger than ever.

How can people get involved?

Companies in the construction, engineering, geotechnical, and utilities industries, as well as government, institutional, and industrial sites with complex gas piping systems, can contact Western UTS at www.wuts.ca.