BPA: building for tomorrow
Buildings play an integral role within our communities. Hospitals, airports, commercial buildings and public-sector institutions must now meet ever-growing requirements for performance, energy efficiency and sustainability.
Founded in Montréal in 1956, BPA has grown into one of Canada’s top building engineering firms. The firm is home to experts in mechanical, electrical and structural engineering, as well as in sustainable development and several technical specializations.
Today, BPA’s role encompasses much more than design. It helps clients seeking to develop infrastructure that addresses the issues of today while meeting the needs of tomorrow.
Strategic Expansion
In recent years, BPA has stepped up its pace of expansion to meet clients’ growing needs. After acquiring a dozen firms across Canada, BPA has grown from 500 employees in 9 offices to over 1,200 employees in 23 offices.
This growth is based on one simple belief: that diverse expertise brings clients even more value.
“Each firm that joins forces with us offers geographic diversity and fresh expertise while strengthening our position vis‑à‑vis major national clients.”
— Dominic Latour, ing., P.Eng., LEED AP, Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Growth
But taking part in the building sector’s transformation requires more than just technical expertise—being able to operate sustainably is also essential.
To support its growth, BPA set out a strategic plan built around five priorities: growth, innovation, talent development, organizational efficiency and social/environmental sustainability.
This vision is reflected in its activities. Focusing on sustainable development issues, some 60 specialists help clients to devise solutions to reduce the energy and environmental footprint of buildings throughout their life cycles.
Looking Farther Afield
BPA’s steady growth is primarily attributable to the firm’s ambitious acquisition strategy. To implement this strategy, the firm has relied on the support of La Caisse, not only upstream of transactions (e.g. analyzing business opportunities and accessing capital), but also downstream (e.g. integrating new teams, developing talent and revamping processes).
Since 2022, BPA has reaped the benefits of La Caisse’s mid-market company offering designed to support the growth aspirations of Québec-based companies. In addition to financing, BPA has access to specialized expertise in areas ranging from governance, organizational development, communications and cybersecurity, not to mention external growth.
For a firm that has made a large number of acquisitions in just a few years, La Caisse’s support is a major source of leverage.
“It’s hard to identify blind spots in a situation that you’ve never been in before. La Caisse knows growth inside and out. It also carries out multiple acquisitions drawing on its human-centred approach.”
— Dominic Latour, ing., P.Eng., LEED AP, Chief Executive Officer
This collaboration is based on a shared vision of long-term development. This same approach is helping strengthen BPA’s foundations as the firm continues to expand nationwide while helping shape the buildings of tomorrow.
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