MEET . . . . ARNOLD NEMETZ

By Wendy Long

Arnold Nemetz has seen his business, his profession and his city undergo a multitude of changes since he sealed his first project as an electrical engineer some 50 years ago.

Other things, such as attention to detail and unwavering commitment to client service, have not changed in his office. Nor will they, even as the firm’s second half century of business proceeds with Arnold’s son, Steve Nemetz at the helm as company CEO. Time may alter some things but the basic tenets of good business practice remain constant.

“Don’t burn your bridges,” says Arnold Nemetz, who remains Founding Principal of Vancouver-based Nemetz (S/A) & Associates Ltd. Electrical Consulting Engineers. “Maintain a good relationships with clients. Be available. Be thorough. Personal service is the key.”

For many years the Nemetz name has played an integral role in the electrical elements of Vancouver construction projects, beginning with work undertaken by Domino Electric Ltd., founded by Arnold’s father, William Nemetz. Initially, Arnold Nemetz worked as a contractor but in time he opted to launch his own electrical engineering consulting business, a move he has never regretted.

“Engineering was something I could do on my own,” he explains. “I could spend as much, or as little time as I wanted doing it. When I was in transition, doing some contracting and some engineering, I was called as an engineer to go sort out some problems in Calgary. I think the guy game me $300 plus the plan ticket. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I decided engineering had to be a good thing!”

The first project for Nemetz & Associates was York House School at 25th and Granville. Some 50 years later the tally of company projects is nearing 12,000 – ranging from high-rise residential buildings and office towers to commercial and retail projects. And Nemetz is proud that what started out as a company of one has now blossomed to an office of more than 50 employees

“When I started I never envisioned there would one day be that many projects or that many people employed in our firm,” he says. “In the beginning I was all hands-on. Every drawing – and at the time that was all done by hand – was checked with pencil, every line followed, by me. I did them all. Evenings, weekends, it was very time consuming. But it was extremely rewarding. When the seal went on I knew every line, I had checked every line.”

Changes in business and technology, and company success, have necessitated a move away from an individual, hands-on approach. The advent of computer drafting and design, environmental concerns and demands, security and communication requirements have all changed the way electrical engineers do business.

“One person can’t do it all any more,” stresses Nemetz. “The basic way of providing power energy to service buildings really hasn’t changed, there has been very little innovation in that area. The major change has been in lighting and communication – you need specialists in those areas.”

The city has changed as much as the business. Nemetz has witnessed, and had a hand in, the dramatic metamorphosis of Vancouver’s skyline. Among the some 12,000 projects handled by the company over the years his favourites include the Hong Kong Bank building, Bayshore Hotel, theWall Centre and Royal Centre.

But his greatest pleasure comes from the family ties that are integral to his business, from son Steve leading the firm and his daughter, Franci, serving as company Chief Administrative Officer. His granddaughter, Jennifer Stratton, has also entered the business as an interior and lighting design expert with the company’s Light Art Concepts division.

“It’s very satisfying,” smiles Nemetz. “ Things don’t necessarily work out when you have partners but when it’s family it’s a lot different. It’s been gratifying to see the business move along and expand. There are very few engineering firms that go past into the second generation and many firms that were around when I started are no longer here.”