Where we started

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 who had 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. Through mentoring and leadership, a new player in the Canadian engineering community was born.

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, and the Yellowknife office were also 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 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.

How we grew

2000s – New leadership and milestones

In 2003, the firm celebrated 25 years of success. The following year saw the opening of the Winnipeg office, the acquisition of the CWA Structural Engineers of Calgary to add capacity, and the opportunity for employees to purchase shares in the company.

In 2008, Naseem Bashir became President and began leading the firm forward, encouraging continued collaboration across the entire Williams team to create a strong, cohesive group that pushed for excellence. This drive for a more unified culture allows us to capitalize on the expertise of our entire team, and provide our clients with the high-quality work warranted by the Williams name. We know that our people are our strength. We operate as a team, pairing our senior professionals with emerging industry leaders, because we know that drawing from each other’s experience is what allows us to provide the best solutions for our clients.

In 2009, the firm’s name was changed to Williams Engineering Canada, Inc., and we continued our growth and regional expansion across Western Canada. To manage this growth, several regional directors were hired in 2011 and 2012 for Manitoba, the Arctic, Southern Alberta, and British Columbia.

Where we're going

Now, Williams Engineering Canada is a multidisciplinary firm operating nationwide, with seven offices across three provinces, and two offices in Northern Canada. Our extensive network of locations across Canada allow us to offer an unparalleled service offering, capable of meeting and exceeding design challenges present in different areas.

Over the years, we’ve built a team of knowledgeable, inventive engineers who seek to elevate the field and the do outstanding work. Together, we focus on collaboration and innovation to create more efficient processes and ensure we offer our clients the highest-quality engineering service possible.

Since the company was founded in the 1970s, Williams Engineering has experienced major growth, allowing us to operate across Canada and around the world. Today, we continue to grow to meet the needs of bigger, more diverse projects. From small, local projects to large, international ones, we can take on any challenge, and are always looking to push the boundaries of what is possible.

About our team