INNISFAIL – When Doug Fenger entered the plant at NWP Industries 50 years ago for his first day on the job as a young rig worker, he’s the first to admit he had no idea what was going on.
That was in Blackfalds, and a half century later the plant is now in Innisfail.
And today he’s known at NWP as the man who knows everything.
“Anytime we have a question or concern about something that may have happened before, we just go talk to Doug,” said Jason Steele, president of the energy processing equipment division for Terravest Industries, the parent company of NWP.
“He's a wealth of knowledge. We rely on him not just for NWP, but for all our businesses,” said Steele. “I'll say, ‘phone Doug. Doug will have the answer.”
With 50 years under his belt, and being the go-to man for just about everyone and everything, it was time for the NWP staff of 85 to show Doug just how much he meant to them and the company he has so proudly served.
NWP is an oil and energy fabrication plant that is spread over 10 acres in Innisfail’s West Gate Industrial Park. The company makes fabrication processing equipment for both oil and energy processes.
There are 85 employees that work at the plant, which was created in 2007 when NWP moved its manufacturing division from Blackfalds to Innisfail.
Employees were called upon in the late afternoon of July 13 to go outside for what was thought to be a routine fire drill. But it was no drill. It was to set the stage for a surprise anniversary party for Doug.
The soft spoken man dutifully walked out to the lawn outside the administration building.
Dozens of employees assembled in a huge semi-circle.
Shannon Fischer, the plant’s general manager, proudly announced they were about to celebrate an “extraordinary milestone.
“Fifty years – a half century – it’s a testament to the profound impact this exceptional individual has made on NWP. Few achieve this milestone and it is a privilege to celebrate this,” Fischer told staff.
“In an era where career paths are often diverse and dynamic our honoured individual has remained steadfast; contributing his valuable skills, expertise and tribal knowledge for the betterment of NWP,” added Fischer. “His impact is immeasurable – a shining example for us all.”
During his half-century service, Doug has worked in maintenance, performed welding mechanic and machinist duties, rebuilt engines, painted and sandblasted.
He is currently the quality control guru; checking all drawings for proper fabrication notes that go to the floor for workers to expertly build company products.
“He's irreplaceable; his tribal knowledge from being here for 50 years,” said Fischer. “He's truly a dedicated employee that has always put the needs of NWP first and focused on quality and getting things right.”
The staff showed their appreciation for Doug with a huge cake, a plaque presentation, an electric mountain bike, and scores of best wishes.
His milestone 50th anniversary is the longest ever for an employee at NWP; eclipsing the previous employee record of 44 years.
“This is very special. It has given me the lifestyle that I can enjoy just about everything, and a variety of work over the years; it hasn't been one single job all the way,” said Doug, who lives in Red Deer. “I’ve done many, many, many jobs and learned lots and met lots of wonderful people. It's been awesome.”
But the gratitude, appreciation and respect are always heading back his way.
In fact, Steele struggles to think of any other company that’s had the rare fortune to have any employee close to achieving 50 consecutive years of loyal service.
“It's an amazing milestone,” said Steele. “And looking around us here I don't even know we'll ever have anybody reach 50 here ever again; just the nature of the way things are in the industry and the world in general.”
