This article was provided by J.L Richards & Associates
Authors: Krista Akerman – Associate; Senior Project Manager; Manager, Sudbury Office, Stephanie Campbell – Architect; Manager, Sudbury Office, Robert Langlois – Senior Associate; Senior Civil Engineer; Manager, Sudbury Office
As J.L. Richards & Associates Limited (JLR) celebrates our 50th anniversary in Sudbury, we are crediting the office’s five decades of success to our past and current local employees, loyal northern Ontario clients, and forward-looking sustainability and social initiatives.
Founded in Ottawa in 1955, JLR is an integrated engineering, architecture, and planning firm with seven offices and over 470 employees across the province. JLR’s Sudbury office was established in 1974 to help better serve our mining clients and is now our second largest office with close to 80 employees.
Today, our Sudbury office is made up of a full complement of multidisciplinary experts in their respective fields, including architecture, planning, civil engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and project delivery.
JLR’s success in Sudbury is credited to the contributions of our past and present dedicated team of talented employees who share ideas and coordinate efficiently to address challenges that arise on a project.
JLR’s structure ensures our employee owners are committed to positive project outcomes and gives them a vested interest in the success of any venture.
JLR: In Your Community
Having been actively involved in the area’s mining operations since 1974, mining and mineral processing infrastructure has always been a core market for our Sudbury office with many of our staff specializing or working exclusively on these types of projects.
These include numerous projects in the area for Sudbury’s major mining clients, where we continue to provide exceptional services in project management, maintenance engineering, specialized studies, and a of host mining-related civil and building infrastructure.
Our work in Sudbury and the surrounding area is also indicative of our continuous commitment to serve the communities in which we work, live, and play. Positively contributing to the shape, feel and growth of the community through successful projects is important to everyone in JLR’s Sudbury office.
Recent highlighted projects include the design of The Refettorio—YES Theatre’s new outdoor performance space that supports the thriving arts scene and drives economic growth to downtown; the reconstruction and infrastructure upgrades to Larch Street and Dell Street; the City’s ongoing Transit Hub feasibility study and design project; the City’s ongoing upgrades to the Garson water system; and the ongoing development of the Point Grondine Park & Campground—a modern, backcountry camping site in the heart of northern Ontario that will celebrate the traditions and culture of Wiikwemkoong First Nation.
Other past favourites in the area include the award-winning Vale Living with Lakes Centre; the first phase of the 250+ lot Hazelton subdivision; the Maison McCulloch Hospice; numerous projects at the Sudbury Airport; and various large- and small-scale projects for Sudbury’s educational institutions.
Employee Engagement & Company Culture
It is not just projects that make JLR a Sudbury success story. We believe that culture is an integral part of a strong company and our Social Committee ensures employees have some fun outside of work.
Summer BBQs, coffee and treat days, family carnival day, trivia nights, and Earth Day clean up are just some of the ways that our employees create a strong community within our office. In addition, work-life balance is strongly encouraged, including flexibility with work hours and remote working, and a progressive banked time policy for work spent on tasks beyond a normal workday.
In addition, we invest in our employees’ futures by offering professional development programs that allow them to improve their skills and progress in their careers.
Our Career Mentorship Program connects senior leaders with young career professionals to provide guidance and create meaningful connections. We are increasing our investments in training and development through programs like the Leadership Summit, dedicated training for our project managers and technical leads, and self-guided learning. Meaningful performance evaluations and individual training plans are provided to each employee to foster and encourage professional development and focus on career and training goals. Through these initiatives, our unique culture ensures employees feel connected to one another, positively contributing to their wellbeing and success.
To further illustrate the office’s success promoting company culture and staff wellbeing, JLR was a finalist for the 2024 Sudbury of Commerce Award in the Best Place to Work category.
Sustainability and Social Initiatives
As JLR looks to the future to better serve our longstanding clients in the area, sustainability and social initiatives have become a key focus.
As residents of Greater Sudbury who continue to witness the remarkable regreening efforts the City has seen over the last 50 years, our Sudbury employees understand the important role we play regarding environmental sustainability and stewardship. With national leaders in net-zero carbon and net-zero energy in house, we are equipping our clients to meet their carbon- and energy-reduction goals through evaluating and implementing renewable energy technologies and developing decarbonization roadmaps. Internally, JLR recently announced our own 2030 carbon reduction target, developed by our Environmental Sustainability Committee, which commits to reducing our absolute Scope 1 (direct emissions from operations) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy) greenhouse gas emissions.
JLR also believes in continuing to develop a workplace culture that supports inclusivity.
With two women managers in the Sudbury office, in a traditionally male-dominated field, we have made it a priority to cultivate an environment where all employees are included, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded opportunities to contribute to their collective future success.
JLR Sudbury also acknowledges that we have the privilege of living and working on the ancestral lands of diverse Indigenous communities.
We value our long history of working in partnership with many Indigenous groups and are proud of the successful projects and important learning relationships that have resulted from these partnerships. JLR recognizes the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and is currently finalizing our own Reconciliation Action Plan with the support and guidance of an Indigenous educator.
Contact J.L. Richards & Associates Limited at 705-522-8174 or visit us online for appointments.