RICHMOND, BC, CANADA (June 2, 2017) — While any anniversary is cause for celebration, a software company's 30thyear is a major milestone.
As Wenco marks its third decade in business this month, we've looked back through the years to chart our biggest achievements. Our founding in 1987. Our first system install later that year. The opening of offices in South Africa, Chile, Russia, Australia, and the U.S. Our acquisition by Hitachi Construction Machinery.
Yet, our most significant achievement may be the great number of staff who remain with us from those early days. In an industry with high turnover, a large percentage of our team has chosen to dedicate the lion's share of their careers to Wenco. It sparks the question — "What's unique about Wenco that makes our workers stay so loyal?"
Our longest-serving staff list several reasons they value working at Wenco so highly — the people, the open culture of the company, the revolutionary technology. Above all, though, one theme appears again and again — the opportunity to explore and grow.
"I had no knowledge of mining when I immigrated to Vancouver," says Daniel L., a product manager celebrating 26 years with the company. "Wenco provided me an opportunity to join this industry.
"During the last 26 years, I have been involved in different aspects of software applications … programming, system design, customer support, system implementation, resolving sites' system issues, quality assurance, and now — as product manager — writing up software requirements on the new system. It's an exciting job in Wenco and there is a new challenge every day."
"There's real challenge to the job," says Annie L., our office manager entering her 10th year with the company. "After Hitachi acquired [us], I was exposed to a lot of different sectors of the business — admin, yes, but also taking calls, shipments, purchasing hardware, arranging travel… I remember one time I got to help out with a marketing ad, I got to help out in accounting. So, because the job was so diverse and well-rounded, I had a lot of fun."
Our staff explore in ways that go beyond work duties, too. As a global operation with customers all over the world, the Wenco team gets to visit places far off the beaten path.
"The chance to learn all of these different aspects of the company and to also have the opportunity to see parts of the world I would have otherwise never have seen was invigorating," says Glen T., vice-president of sales and marketing.
"I've been to 25 countries, most of them numerous times, with some of my favourites being Tanzania and Turkey. I was able to develop a career in an environment that challenged me, encourages people to learn, treats people with respect, and uses and develops cutting-edge technology. Twenty years is a long time in one company, and it certainly wasn't the plan when I hired on, but I was able to forge a career in a dynamic environment that presented some unique life experiences.
"What else can you ask for?"
Senior Technical Support Analyst Linton G. also puts travel on his long list of elements that have made him spend the last 10 years at Wenco.
"Wenco has given me the opportunity to see the whole world. It's been utterly amazing," he says. "Often, when I'm looking down while on a flight, I still think I'm dreaming. The feeling never goes away. I take none of this for granted."
For more information about our company and solutions, please contact Marketing Supervisor Geoff Gauthier at info@wencomine.com or call us at 604.270.8277.