Chapter 5 The Next Step
Typically, Tom Yardley and I were the first two people in the office each morning. Tom was an early riser by nature, and always anxious to get to work first thing. I was similar because I was at my best in the morning and that was when I did my most effective work. So it was no surprise that when I arrived at the Pinecone office on Monday morning Tom was already there, pouring his first cup of coffee. I joined him.
"Good morning, Dex. Ready to get back to work?"
"Yes but I guess that does bring up the question about Dorothy. I don't want to hurt her and I hear she did a great job while I was away. I was thinking maybe another site-rep assignment."
"Well, I suppose we could do that but I think you should hold on until later this morning. I'd like you to get up to speed with Dorothy on the department then meet me here in my office at ten o'clock. I have something that might interest you."
"Okay ... fine, ten o'clock. I take it there's no point in my asking what the meeting's about?" I grinned.
"None at all. See you then," he said with a smile.
When I walked into Tom's office at ten that morning I was surprised to see Wolf Balak sitting in a comfortable chair, enjoying a coffee.
"Hey, Wolf. How are you? Long time no see."
"I am good, Dex. Good to see you too. I hear good things about you on our airport job," he said in his thick German accent.
"Oh ... from whom?"
"The contractor. He said he would work with Pinecone anytime in the future. He thought you were very professional and handled any problems quickly. Thank you for that," he smiled.
"To tell the truth, Wolf, we didn't have very many problems. That job went about as smoothly as any we've ever had. A little slowly, perhaps, but pretty smoothly."
He nodded. "It is good to have one like that, especially when it is in a foreign country."
The reason I asked you to join us, Dex," Tom interrupted, "is that we have a proposal to put to you."
That got my immediate attention.
It was Wolf who opened the discussion.
"You will not be aware that Tom and I have been negotiating with another company to buy controlling interest in them. We want to expand our business and this is the quickest way to accomplish that. The company that we want to acquire is Trent Engineering in Toronto. They have fallen on hard times and need an injection of business activity to get back to where they once were."
"Trent was, once upon a time, one of the most respected small firms in Canada," Tom continued. "Unfortunately, the senior partners either retired or expired. What they had left were competent engineers but with no drive to find new business. Their opportunities have been dwindling steadily over this recent declining economy and we were able to acquire a 55% share of ownership for an attractive price."
"You know how much I like to find new opportunities," Wolf went on. "I pride myself in my engineering skill but the truth is that I am a better salesman. So ... now we have this new addition to the Pinecone family and we need your help."
I sat looking at them. This was an unexpected surprise. I couldn't guess what Tom and Wolf wanted from me since I didn't know anything about Trent Engineering.
"We're not in a position to compete with the big civil engineering firms like SNC-Lavalin or Hatch but we sit well in our slot," Tom said. "We've been successful because we stick with what we know best and spend a lot of time with architects and construction companies to make sure they are confident with us. It's been a good strategy and we plan to maintain it."
"How do I fit in?" I asked.
"When the acquisition is complete in the next month," Tom went on, "we'll want you to go to Toronto and assess the capabilities there. There's been a freeze on spending over the last three years and I know how much we've spent on updating our programs and equipment so I'm expecting they'll need to catch up. We want the same programs at both offices, naturally."
"That makes sense," I said. "I won't know until I get there how long I'll need. How many operators do they have?"
"I think I saw about two dozen work stations," Wolf answered. "Not all of them were occupied but, if we can revitalize the company, you would want that many at least."
"We have nearly thirty here," I noted. "Is there room for expansion?"
"Not really. We might move the engineering and executive staff to another floor if that were necessary. We will leave it up to you to decide," Wolf said.
"Okay ... so you want me in Toronto when?"
"March 15th," Tom responded. "Any problem with that?"
"No ... none. I assume I'll have some accommodation available?"
"Yes. There's a suites residence a block from the office. Both Wolf and I have stayed there and it's fine. Naturally, all your expenses will be covered. Cost of acquisition you know," Tom grinned.
"Okay then. Anything else?" I asked.
"Yes. Your title and salary will change. You are now Vice President, Design Services, Pinecone-Trent Engineering. It will be effective March 1st. I've already ordered the business cards," Tom grinned again.
"Wow. Another thing I didn't expect. Thank you very much. You were pretty sure I would take this assignment, I guess."
"Well, considering your situation, I thought it wouldn't cause a problem. Maybe I shouldn't have taken that for granted," Tom admitted.
"No problem. I'm better off being busy and somewhere other than here for the time being. We can always talk about the future when I've figured out what I want from my life. By the way, I'll be filing for divorce if Sandra accepts my proposal. I'll know in a couple of days. If she turns it down I'll just go on as before until I can wear her down."
"I am very sorry to hear of your problem, Dex," Wolf said sadly. "It must be very hard to accept what Sandra has done after all these years. I was delighted with the job you did for us in Sint Maarten. I think for you, it was very good therapy, yes?"
"Yes, it was. I think Toronto could be more of the same. I hope so, anyway."
