North American Construction Group (NACG) has a rich history in Alberta’s construction landscape. Founded by J.Y. (Ivan) Gouin in 1953 NACG has grown to become one of the largest mining, heavy construction, industrial, piling and pipeline firms in Canada, with locations in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Key Events in our History

1950’s

North American Road Ltd. is founded by J.Y. (Ivan) Gouin in 1953. Initially the Company was know as a road builder and was involved in the construction of countless highway projects in Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon, including the famous Alaska Highway.

North American is awarded its first large contract; grading work for the Pacific Great Eastern Railroad in British Columbia.

1960’s

NACG is awarded a large contract for site clearing at the site of the Gardiner Dam and Lake Diefenbaker in Southern Saskatchewan.

NACG begins providing services for Great Canadian Oil Sands (Suncor) in the Fort McMurray Area.

NACG provides site development services at the Esso Red Water Fertilizer Plant.  This contract marks the Company’s foray into the development of industrial sites across Central and Northern Alberta.

1970’s

NACG begins working for Syncrude Canada Ltd. and over the subsequent decade is involved in the excavation of an oil sands test pit as well as subsequent site drainage and preparation work.

NACG assists in the construction of another oil sands test pit, this time for Shell Canada.

NACG is the contractor for the Rural Gasification Project, installing approximately 10,000 miles of plastic pipe to provide natural gas service to rural Albertans.

1980’s

NACG is responsible for site preparation and related construction services in the development of the Obed Coal Mine, near Hinton Alberta.

NACG's Piling Division is established. Over the next few years the division increases its capabilities by purchasing crawler drills for the installation of drilled concrete piles.

NACG provides site preparation services for the Genesee Power Plant west of Edmonton, Alberta. The Company also constructs the dams and dykes necessary for the massive cooling pond.

NACG's Pipeline Division is established, now one of the company’s four operating divisions North American Pipeline has proven reputation in the industry as a leading contractor in the installation of transmission and distribution pipelines.

1990’s

NACG reaches a new milestone with the award of the company’s first $100 million contract at Syncrude’s Aurora Mine.

NACG continue to expand it’s growing fleet with the addition of the worlds first Hitachi EX5500 Mining Shovel.

NACG is contracted to perform all civil work, including excavation and backfill, underground piping installation, as well as overburden removal and piling work for Suncor’s Millennium Project.

2000’s

NACG acquires (at the time) the world’s largest hydraulic shovel, an O&K RH400.

In 2003 NACG is purchased by a consortium of US-based equity groups.

NACG acquires the world’s first Hitachi EX8000 shovel. North American subsequently purchased the worlds second and third EX8000’s

In 2005 NACG is awarded its largest contract to date. Valued at over $1 Billion, NACG is responsible overburden removal at Canadian Natural Resources’ Horizon Mine, a project that will span ten years.

NACG is awarded its first project in Eastern Canada at DeBeers Victor Project, a diamond mine in northern Ontario, to provide initial site development and stripping.

On November 22, 2006, North American Energy Partners (NAEP) became a publicly traded company, listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the symbol NOA.

NACG acquires two Bucyrus 495-HF electric shovels; these shovels are able to load a 400 ton haul truck in just four passes.

NACG is awarded its largest and most challenging pipeline project to date, the TMX Anchor Loop Pipeline, a 158 kilometer pipeline running through Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park.

NACG announces the addition two new corporate office facilities in Calgary and Fort McMurray. These additional offices will allow North American to better serve our customers and continue to provide exceptional service.

On August 1, 2009, NACG acquires Drillco Foundation Co Ltd., a piling/caisson business that has been serving the greater Toronto area since 1986. This acquisition has provided NACG with a permanent home in the Ontario construction market.