Business Stories

As Canada’s largest full line distribution oil filled transformer company, Cam Tran has pursued its mission of transforming expectations in Spruce Grove since 2015. With the head office established in 1982 in Colborne, Ontario, Spruce Grove is one of Cam Tran’s three satellite plants across the country. The facility specializes in pole mounted transformers designed for exceptional performance in electric utility distribution—their products provide essential service in rural, residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

A business culture of continuous improvement is key to Cam Tran’s highly competitive advantage in the marketplace. Rethinking processes and pursuing innovation, the company places significant value on ideas, leadership, and collaboration. “We don’t just build transformers here, we build people and teams as well,” says Graham Cook, Local Operations Leader. Cam Tran’s Spruce Grove roster of 40 staff work 7 days a week, and recently doubled production.

“We’ve had so much success with the labour pool in Spruce Grove that our ideal expansion is to add to what we have here,” says Kyle Campbell, President and Co-Founder. “Spruce Grove offers us the comfort that, when we do choose to grow, we have the most important resource available to us—good quality people.”

Since opening the Spruce Grove location—a 28,000 square foot facility on 3 acres in the City’s Diamond Industrial Park—Cam Tran has focused on growth in the Western Canadian market. Its state-of-the-art equipment and innovative renewal and recycle systems manufacture unbeatable products, and its unique business model based on localized service can be largely attributed to the company’s location in Spruce Grove.  

“After a weather event that knocks out power, we’re only hours away from the customer,” says Graham. Without Cam Tran’s service, many Western Canadian utility providers would wait days to receive the products and service they require to restore electricity. Being close to customers has made all the difference in the company’s success.   

With an eye to the future, plans are underway to seek new markets in the United States. “We have a strategic advantage that we are the only transformer manufacturer in North America with more than one facility,” adds Kyle. “And our local business model has allowed us to develop strong relationships with other businesses. For our support services, we choose the smaller, local companies. It’s important to us to build relationships and make a difference in the community.”