KBM Resources Group is a forest industry survivor.
The 30-employee Thunder Bay consulting firm is one of the more desirable places to work in Northern Ontario for those with a love for the outdoors.
“We never have to recruit,” said Rike Burkhardt, a natural resources consultant with KBM since 2000. “We always get more job applications then we can handle.”
Incorporated in 1974 by founder Herb Bax, the early days of the company involved site preparation, planting, seeding activities for clients, while also serving as a reforestation equipment distributor for a Swedish supplier. A 2010 transition resulted in a name change from KBM Forestry to KBM Resources Group. While still engaged in forestry, the company has branched out into the mining industry, the utility and renewable energy sectors, and works with First Nations on land-use planning projects. The company invests heavily in geomatic technology, aerial survey and digital photography equipment, and GIS mapping systems. The company also maintains an office in Prince Albert, Sask. to cater to the resource sector.
Work-life balance
KBM provides flexibility in scheduling work in making allowances to accommodate family needs and extracurriculars like the opening of hunting or fishing season.
“That’s a big draw for me,” said Burkhardt. “It’s why myself and others have returned from stints in government. All of the (managing) partners recognize there’s more to life than work.”
Work environment/employee
engagement
An informal work environment provides the perfect setting for those who are self-motivated and self-directed. A flat management system means there are no bureaucratic barriers between staff and partners.
“It’s very casual and I generally have fun coming here,” said Burkhardt. “All of the partners are laid back and approachable.”
KBM’s culture of trust among staff means micro-management is kept to a minimum. “The type of people who work here tend to be self-motivated,” said Burkhardt. “We have people with specific educational skills who are very keen to be working in the fields they’re in. Many of us don’t need supervision and we don’t want it. In that sense, we can get our work done.”
Social events are also part of the KBM culture with Friday drinks nights, bowling outings, barbecues and a well-attended Christmas party with a live band.
The company also stages regular business development meetings to pitch ideas.
“If you have ideas that you want to pursue, it makes sense for the company and we can make some money doing it, you’re free to do that.”
Diversity of work
Being a generalist helps. There’s no pigeon-holing of roles at KBM. Employees are expected to multi-task to perform anything from a forestry audit to organizing the staff Christmas party. “Anything can be part of your job description,” said Burkhardt.
There’s a full range of activities and extensive travel for those with short attention spans such as being dropped in a remote spot with a canoe for a field survey.
“I’ve learned a ton about forestry auditing all over Ontario and we’re applying to do one in the Northwest Territories,” said Burkhardt, who’s performed policy work for the provincial and federal governments, along with reviews of the National Forest Strategy and the Model Forest Program.
Incentives/financial benefit and compensation
KBM offers full-time employees an attractive health and dental benefits package, sick days and an Employee Assistance Program and RRSP contribution matching.
Educational/professional development
“The people who do best are those who are keen to learn things.”
KBM has subsidized and supported a continuous pipeline of graduate students in their research endeavours as part of the company’s continuous research and development activities. Some have joined the company as employees or become part of KBM’s national network of sub-contractors. A former grad student runs the geomatics department and is one of the managing partners.
The company supports work-related
training, and subsidizes trips to professional
development
conferences.
Loyalty
In the late 2000s when the region’s forestry industry was in steep decline, the company made a concerted effort to keep its staff intact. “I’ve been here during slow times when for a half-year not much was going on,” said Burkhardt. “They could have laid people off, but they really try not to. They do everything they can to keep people around and I feel like they value people.”
