Grinding Adversity Into Opportunity: Tyalta Industries

Mar 22, 2024 - 2 years ago

In the domain of industrial equipment, where innovation meets unwavering dedication, Tyalta Industries stands as a testament to the audacity of one individual to make a difference. Story and photos by Melanie Watson.

Grinding Adversity Into Opportunity — *Aaron Lee, Craig Kergen and Terry Peters, with McCloskey 628 Top Soil Trommel screener, with a 6’ diameter opening, 28’ foot length drum, ready to screen some serious soil!*

Mind your own business

It all began 35 years ago when Craig Kergen dared to suggest improvements to the materials handling dealership he worked for, only to be met with the condescending “mind his own business.” Taking this criticism as advice, Craig reached out to Pascal McCloskey, founder of McCloskey Equipment in Peterborough, ON, and within hours, a dealership agreement was signed.

Starting from scratch in 1995, Craig’s work ethic, honed on a mixed grain farm and a decade in the oil fields, became the cornerstone of Tyalta’s success. “I wanted to do things other companies wouldn’t let me do. So, I am doing this on purpose, and that’s been the case for the past 35 years,” says Kergen.

The initial recommendation of minding his own business led to the establishment of Tyalta Industries as the largest McCloskey Dealer in the world, and becoming the leading rental and sales dealer of aggregate equipment in Western Canada.

Overnight Success

Tyalta began in Airdrie in 1995, and moved to Crossfield two years later, renting a single bay shop. Once they outgrew that space, they moved into the next building down the road, a two bay space with offices a couple of years later. He then began eyeing up the 6-acre lot across the road, and after many conversations with the owner, came to an agreement to purchase and build in 2008.

Today Craig can see the geographical journey that Tyalta took, all from the front door of the auspicious building on McCool Street. “It’s taken me 35 years to become an overnight success,” he laughs. How did he create that success? By ensuring Tyalta’s approach is beyond transactional; it’s about fostering long-term relationships.

Pre-sale consultations involve understanding customers’ needs by literally running the gravel through his hands.

Then the equipment is loaded onto a Tyalta truck and purpose-built trailer, delivered by professionals, ready to train the end-users on how to operate and maintain their latest investment.

Post-sale, Tyalta stays connected, learning from customers who showcase creative ways of using their equipment, enriching future demonstrations.

“Always listen to your customers”, and if they aren’t saying much, “ask them questions,” shares Terry Peters, General Manager. Customers’ experiences, perspectives, and opinions form the bedrock of business and industry success. If customers discover inventive reuses for standard equipment, it signals a need for specialized equipment to address that facet of their work.

Come Hell or High Water — or Recession

The financial downturn and global recession seemed like the worst time to be building on a new lot and expanding his business, but Craig knew that hard work had never failed him, so he once again put his shoulder into it and expanded his building, lot and business.

Tyalta opened their new building with four bay shop in 2009. This set up is now busting at the seams, so six more bays are in the design phase, with build completion expected in 2026.

Tyalta’s applies this same work ethic to supporting the community in times of crisis. In 2013, amid rising waters in the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Tyalta swiftly dispatched equipment to Canmore and High River, stabilizing riverbanks and mitigating flooding into Calgary and High River. Facing a mere 15-day window before the Stampede, Tyalta deployed three specialized machines, working alongside hundreds of workers to remediate the Stampede grounds, marking the inception of the renowned “Hell or High Water” Stampede.

Leading by Example

And his dedication with long hours and hard work has not waned. “He doesn’t expect anything from any of us as his team, that he won’t do himself,” chimes in Sales Manager Aaron Lee. “He’s here at 5 am, first in, last out, picking up the phone for customers at all hours.” This dedication to service rubs off on the entire organization. “It’s easy to work hard for someone who works hard himself.”

“Our customers work hard 24/7, and in order to support them, so do we,” says Kergen.

New Tech means good business sense

Tyalta and McCloskey are growing together, consistently seeking feedback from customers to adapt to the evolving industrial landscape. This commitment is reflected in extensive research and development efforts, often resulting in groundbreaking equipment, including 100% electric or Hybrid electric diesel models.

This includes working with prototypes of new equipment. “We’ve been fortunate to have many units with 001 serial numbers in our fleet,” shares Craig, which speaks to Tyalta’s willingness to participate in the development of new technology. “We’ve got skin in the game.”

Over the years, Tyalta has expanded its offerings through relationships with additional manufacturers, such as MDS and Diamond Z, ensuring a comprehensive range of material handling equipment. The collaboration with these exceptional companies mirrors McCloskey’s dedication to quality products and service excellence.

Participation in industry events like ConExpo in Las Vegas, active engagement on social media, and collaboration in design and function testing underscore Tyalta’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve. With their factories in Canada, McCloskey and Tyalta address the unique challenges posed by Canada’s diverse environment and climate.

Tyalta’s loyalty to McCloskey has been instrumental in growing the equipment base and customer outreach. Having a Canadian manufacturer ensures a steady supply of parts for equipment servicing, reinforcing Tyalta’s reputation for excellence in sales and support.

Attention to detail means keeping enough parts on stock to support and maintain both the rental fleet and machines sold. For Tyalta, this includes a (10,000 sq ft) parts warehouse, with everything from bolts to full-sized replacement engines.

Be Nimble, Be Quick, Stay ahead of the game

From a team of one to one of 30, Tyalta continues to run as a small, nimble business. “In contrast with other larger dealerships, we’re the jetski, and they’re a yacht.” This includes being very clear on business goals, and staying ahead of the curve.

As the industry landscape shifted, Tyalta witnessed a transition from equipment purchases to rentals and leases. This shift, while keeping companies on the cutting edge of technology, introduced new challenges, especially with the integration of computers.

Serving and repairing the equipment is no longer just about the engine and transmission, now there’s a computer component that can bring everything to a halt without a lot of warning. For example, DEF systems are notoriously sensitive in colder weather and resetting the sensor to get machines back working adds in undesirable downtime and inefficiency. The environmental wins that DEF provides in warmer climates like California, are negligible in Canada, due to the overextended project timelines and additional machines needed to continually service the working equipment.

No Rock Unturned

In addition to renting, leasing, selling, and servicing McCloskey, MWS, MDS, and Diamond Z, Tyalta is also a creative problem solver when it comes to unique projects or retrofits/modifications. For example, the department of highways has machines that distribute salt, and others that distribute sand, but the question came up - why can’t we distribute both as a mix, eliminating the need for dual trips around the region? Always ready to take on a challenge and solve a problem, Tyalta retrofitted a truck to mix the correct blend of salt and sand for single dispersal. “We leave no stone unturned,” when it comes to solving a customer’s problems.

“When we build something, we overbuild it by 100%. This ensures we are more than meeting the current needs, without having to adjust and tweak several times in the manufacturing process. This also means the equipment will meet future needs, expanded use, and long-term goals.”

Looking after the environment

Tyalta’s commitment to environmental sustainability shines through the adoption of Hybrid and electric models.

The ability to re-use materials using equipment like shredders and crushers reflects a dedication to responsible resource management. “Concrete blocks can no longer be sent to a landfill,” but using equipment like crushers, screeners, and washers can bring second or 7th life to rock that once lived in a quarry. “We have to re-use. Once a quarry or gravel pit is depleted, it’s gone. Re-using rock means less travel from new quarries to projects. “Quarries used to be 20 minutes from projects, but now trucks are carrying loads 120 km from a quarry to the work site.”

What’s next?

When asked about retirement plans, Craig Kergen’s response echoes the mindset of Tyalta: “This is my retirement. I have capable individuals managing operations, sales, and service, so I can immerse myself in the field. Visiting customers, exploring quarries, and running gravel through my hands. I’m like a kid in a candy store, watching our equipment work, and make the lives of our customers easier.”

In conclusion, Tyalta Industries transcends the conventional industrial equipment dealership. It encapsulates innovation, resilience, and a customer-centric culture that has defined its remarkable 35-year journey. As Tyalta expands, it’s not just growing physically but also fortifying its pledge to excellence, ensuring a future that isn’t merely promising but undeniably enjoyable.

Melanie Watson is a freelance writer based in central Alberta. She specializes in heavy machinery, and industrial equipment.