Our History

1970s
A. D. Williams Engineering is established In 1978, Allen Williams established a mechanical and forensic engineering firm in Edmonton, Alberta, under the name A. D. Williams Engineering, Ltd. Believing that a multi-disciplinary approach was the future of the industry, he assembled a team of highly skilled, successful individuals with strong ethics and integrity. Allen Williams believed in employee ownership and a healthy work-life balance, which are still part of the company’s core values today.
1980s
Service expansion In the early 1980s, services expanded to include civil, structural and building science, geotechnical, environmental and materials testing. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Certified Testing Laboratory opened.

1989 — Yellowknife office opened, and the government of the Northwest Territories named A.D. Williams Engineering as a Recognized Northern Consultant.
1990s
Corporate restructuring The 1990s saw further growth with the development of electrical engineering services, and the opening of the Calgary office. Ownership was expanded to senior management shareholders, and focus turned towards clients, markets and projects. A new knowledge management system increased communication and company-wide knowledge sharing.

1993 — Calgary office opened.
2000s
New Leadership & Milestones Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, A.D. Williams Engineering Ltd. celebrated several milestones including the 25 Years of Success Celebration. Naseem Bashir became President in 2008 and continues to lead the firm forward, encouraging continued collaboration across the organization.

2004 — Winnipeg office opened.
2005 — Red Deer office opened.
2009 — Williams Engineering Canada Inc. opened under the leadership of Naseem Bashir.
2010s
More New Leadership & Milestones 2012 — Kelowna office opened.
2013 — Abbotsford office opened.
2015 — Whitehorse office opened.
2016 — Vancouver office opened.
2017 — Williams Engineering acquired Umbra Engineering.
2018 — Williams Engineering and DB Engineering partnered to create DB Technologies in Canada.

Awards

We are honoured and proud to have received several awards over the years including for design, restoration, community involvement and environmental excellence. Our past achievements motivate us to continue to engage, innovate and inspire. Click on a year to see our awards.

  • Alberta Masonry Design Awards 2015
  • Award of Excellence: Artistic Use of Masonry, St. Mary’s Parish
  • Honorable Mention: Restoration, Biscuit Block
  • Award of Excellence: Structural Masonry Design, Jean Baptiste Sewepagaham Elementary School
  • Prairie Design Award 2014: Award of Merit, Northgate Transit Centre
  • Prairie Design Award 2014: Award of Merit, Jasper Place Library
  • 2014 YK Chamber of Commerce Community Involvement Award
  • 2014 Sustainability Award of Merit, Jasper Place Library
  • Allen D. Williams is Presented Posthumously the 2014 Beaubien Award
  • NAPEG 2012 Civic Award for Community Involvement
  • Alberta’s Top Employers for 2012
  • NAPEG Award of Merit
  • Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Award for lighting design

2009

  • PwC Private 50 Companies
  • Canstruction Competition Award
  • City of Yellowknife Recycling Award
  • Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA) Award of Excellence for Career Path online application
  • NAPEG Award of Environmental Excellence

2007

  • CEA Awards of Merit and Excellence for Power Generation Long-term Planning Study

2006

  • Alberta Wood Works Award
  • CEA Award of Merit for Greenstone Building

2005

  • Building Owners and Management Association (BOMA) Edmonton Awards
  • CEA Award of Merit for Bow River Bridge
  • Minister’s Award of Excellence
  • CEA Award of Merit for BHP Power System Development