Celebrating Successes: Global Endeavors
If you have an innovative idea and have ever wondered if it is possible to successfully combine the development of a potentially world-changing idea with the fulfilling lifestyle in the East Kootenays that we all hold so dearly, then this month’s Success Story is a truly aspirational and inspirational one.
Located in Creston BC, Global Endeavours Ltd (GEL) is a privately held company with a unique and innovative concept to minimize or prevent oil spills. The Global Endeavours Ltd (GEL) products and services provide rapid, safe solutions for ruptures or leaks on any type of hydrocarbon transport vehicle; on ocean, land, or waterways. The Can-Gel™ product causes the stored hydrocarbons to congeal and can be used in a preventative manner to minimize the risk of a spill in the event a hydrocarbon storage vessel is breached. The Can-Gel™ product is delivered by an onboard response system that injects Can-Gel™ into a tank in the event of an imminent spill to gel the hydrocarbons.
GEL and the innovative Can-Gel™ product provides not only responsive solutions to hydrocarbon spills, but also uniquely offers a proactive and preventative solution that they envision as a future standard in all transportation of hydrocarbons whether by sea, fresh water or over land.
The story begins with Gordon Menard, now President of GEL, as the manager of a rig in the Beaufort Sea. Situated in such a high-risk, yet fragile environment, he identified not only a feeling of helplessness at the thought of the practicalities of having to containing a spill in such a place, but also the desire to prevent the possibility of it ever impacting that important ecology.
Fast forward through a highly successful career in the oil industry, and Gordon selected Creston as his ideal place for an active retirement and change of lifestyle. However his commitment to preventative hydrocarbon containment resulted in a team assembling in 2003 to begin experimentation and lab work on the product known today as Can-Gel™. 6 years later the product was launched and the company began commercialization in earnest. Shortly after they came to the attention of the BCIC and are currently one of the top 20 finalists in the coveted New Ventures competition.
When asked about their journey from concept idea to their commercial and innovative success, their spokesperson cites two important factors; one being the availability of skills and facilities located in the Creston area, from experienced engineers and lab technicians, through to the practicalities of suitable shop and warehouse space. The second was the availability of support from government and non-profit organizations which helped them to identify their vision and formulate a business plan, alongside introducing them to a network of support and economic resources. Organizations such as CETAC West (Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation West), whose Entrepreneur Workshop opened up an introduction to the NRC (National Research Council) and their Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) , and KRIC who continues to provide support and advice through our free Business Coaching program, have proven to be the keystones of GEL’s success.
With a bright future ahead of them, the Global Endeavours team are looking to forward to making a valuable contribution to the economic development in Creston and the East Kootenays.
