91 Years and Counting

In 1934, Francis Thomas and his father, Frank Thomas were exploring ways to make a

living during a difficult time. They opted to help their Haliburton Highland neighbours get

needed access to building sites like homes and cottages in the spring and summer

months. During the fall and winter, the father and son duo hauled supplies to lumber

camps and cut ice from local lakes for eventual sale. In doing so, they created a

business model that would prove to be a successful, multigenerational family business

some 91 years later. During the early years, Thomas Contracting used horses to dig

foundations, transport building supplies and skid logs during the winter. By the time the

1960s rolled around, Haliburton County was starting to develop at a pace never seen

before, making the horses an antiquated method.

Francis decided to purchase his first loader backhoe. Realizing the added power and

increased efficiency of this machine, it wasn't long before Francis purchased a dozer.

With this new road-building equipment, foundation excavations became significantly

easier. When combined with buying a single-axle truck, the company continued to

expand, and even more doors began to open.

In the late 1960s, Francis made more improvements to assist with winter logging

operations. By the mid-1970s, Francis and his three sons, Allan, Garwood, Roger, and

crew, created an efficient operating team. In 1984, Keith decided to join as a full-time

labourer. Keith continued to work his way through every aspect of the company.

In 1985, Keith married his wife, Susan, who soon joined the company. Keith and Susan

purchased the business in 1994 and are now the company's President. By doing so, the

company built valuable contacts and connections over time. In 1998, Thomas

Contracting participated in the area Ministry of Transport snow plowing contract. Even

though Thomas Contracting no longer plows the provincial highways today, these past

relationships and connections have led to other projects that could not have been done

without his reliable team and past connections.

Keith credits the quality work of his crews as part of the company's success. However,

Keith also believes in putting the customer and the public first. Keith and Susan were

known to leave a family reunion they were hosting to repair a washout on the local

highways they were under contract for maintaining. It wouldn't be unheard of for Keith to

miss out on Christmas Eve or Day to plow roads so contracted customers can still get to

their families for the holidays. These are just the general things you would expect from a

small town and a man devoted to serving others.

Thomas Contracting has grown into a vertically integrated, diverse operation that can

adapt to market demands. They can supply many of their materials, pump out septic

systems before replacement, and barge their equipment to remote sites to tackle even

the most challenging projects of rugged Haliburton County.

In 2010, Brandon, Keith's son, joined the team as a full-time labourer, and in 2016

became a full-time equipment operator/ truck driver. Keith's daughter Britt has been a

full-time office team member since 2012, working by her mum Susan's side, and is now

the office manager. Britt is most likely one of the friendly voices you hear when you call.

Although the names, faces, equipment and logos may have changed over the years at

Thomas Contracting, the core values have not. Customers come first; Britt has

commented, "We no longer have a slogan; we just want to give results to whatever the

project may be, big or small."