Growing Into Its 2nd Century: Spotlight on BSCAI Member GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc.

Our community at the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) is turning 60 this year, and a large part of the association’s success over the past six decades has been the inspiration and direction of its long-term members.

As part of our celebration of six decades, we are recognizing some of the companies that have also reached milestones, have been exemplary members over the years, and that will continue to light the way into the future.

A Company Member Focused on Growth

A number of these firms have, of course, been in business longer than BSCAI has existed.

One such company is GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc., originally founded as Robertson Janitorial in 1926 in Montreal, Canada. The firm has seen steady success in the near-century it has been in business, but it began growing through an acquisition and partnership strategy adopted by executive leadership in 2004. Since then, GDI has partnered with 53 companies.

David “Dave” Hinchey, executive vice president, corporate development, confirms, “Our owner-friendly and fair approach to acquisitions has been one of the keys to our success and has enabled GDI to become the largest company in our industry in Canada and among the top three in North America, all while maintaining an entrepreneurial environment with a strong culture rooted in solid values.”

The pieces began to fall into place when current CEO Claud Bigras joined GDI in 1994. Back then, the company was a C$10 million revenue janitorial business in the Montreal market.

Hinchey notes, “Today, we are a C$2.6 billion (US$2.0 billion) in revenue [business] and are a self-performing, fully-integrated provider of soft and hard facility services in the commercial, educational, medical, transportation, event venue, and light industrial markets.”

GDI became a publicly traded company in 2015 after a completed initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Value of BSCAI Membership

Strong leadership at the top coupled with acquisition and partnership strategy have been two of the biggest ingredients to GDI’s growth and success. But so too has membership in BSCAI, Hinchey says.

The company’s years as a BSCAI member certainly predate Hinchey. But, in his time, he and many of his colleagues have enjoyed the benefits and services of membership. “I’ve been involved with BSCAI while at GDI since 2014,” he states. “There are many positive aspects to BSCAI membership — learning information on industry topics and trends, education on operating a janitorial business, networking, and knowledge sharing with peers. We at GDI value our participation in BSCAI and encourage other companies to join.”

With BSCAI celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, how would Hinchey like to see the association continue to evolve and improve so that it will be around for another 60 years? He was quick to reply: “The association is doing everything right from our perspective. Continue leveraging technology to host educational video sessions and town halls. We feel those types of initiatives really add value to members. Also, continue with the three large conferences. They also add value. Keep up the good work!”

David Hinchey joined GDI in 2014 as its senior vice president, strategic development following a 14-year career in the investment banking industry. He currently serves as GDI’s executive vice president, corporate development. Before joining the company, he was managing partner of Milton Capital Partners Ltd., an advisory firm providing mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets advisory services to public and private companies.