By Donovan Nielsen, President, Scovan
Never in a million years did Scott or I imagine what Scovan would become. What started as a bold idea between two people—driven by an aligned vision, even if it was rarely spoken aloud—has evolved into something much greater than we ever expected. We didn’t set out with a master plan or a clear blueprint. Instead, we focused on doing the right things, one step at a time. We believed that if we focused on integrity, relationships, and delivering value, the rest would follow. And it has.
Fifteen years later, Scovan has grown into a fully integrated, future-focused organization that continues to challenge the status quo in the energy sector. We’ve proven that it’s possible to build something different—something better—by sticking to core values, staying agile, and never losing sight of the people who make it all possible. Our team, our clients, our partners, and our community have all contributed to shaping what Scovan is today, and where we’re going next.
One of the most defining characteristics of Scovan is our commitment to lump sum project delivery. Over 90% of the projects we’ve completed have been on a fixed-cost basis. While that might sound like a technical detail, it actually says a lot about how we think. Delivering lump sum work forces a mindset of efficiency, discipline, and innovation. It’s not just about completing a scope— it’s about delivering outcomes, managing risk proactively, and always looking for ways to do things smarter. This approach naturally shaped our culture. It pushed us toward vertical integration, led us to invest in our own facilities and talent, and drove us to develop new programs and technologies in collaboration with industry.
We often describe our journey through the analogy of SpaceX versus NASA. While NASA is the traditional, well-resourced institution with decades of experience, SpaceX redefined what’s possible by being nimble, focused, and purpose-driven. In many ways, Scovan has followed a similar path. As a small-to-mid-sized enterprise, we’ve had to compete with tier-one service providers that have far more resources. But by staying focused on a specific geography, a specific segment of the energy industry, and by choosing to innovate instead of imitate, we’ve been able to punch well above our weight class. We’ve proven that a Canadian company—100% self-funded, 100% organic—can lead with technology, drive transformation, and deliver with speed and agility.
Our purpose, “A New Energy,” represents more than just our work— it reflects our mindset. It’s a commitment to transformation, to empowering our people, to continuously improving everything we touch, and to creating real, lasting impact. It’s about renewal, reinvention, and resilience. That purpose lives in our culture. It’s what enables us to be a trusted partner and a catalyst for change in the projects we take on.
Over the years, we’ve refined what makes us different in the market. It starts with our integrated model: one brand, offering complete project delivery from concept to fabrication. We self-perform engineering, construction, and manufacturing, which gives us control, accountability, and the ability to pivot quickly. That’s our foundation. But we’re also highly agile. We’ve built a company that can scale up or down, work with different project sizes, and offer a-la-carte services to meet our clients exactly where they are. We don’t try to fit every client into one model—we adapt the model to fit the client. That flexibility is core to how we operate. And finally, our reputation speaks for itself. We’re proud to be known for delivering high-quality work, for being easy to work with, and for standing behind what we say.
Our niche is not an accident—it’s a deliberate focus on creating better solutions for real-world energy challenges. We develop and implement advanced technologies, products, and services that aim to set a new standard in the industry. We don’t chase complexity for its own sake; we chase better outcomes. We believe innovation doesn’t always have to be flashy—it just has to be useful, effective, and timely. That’s where we shine. We’re able to identify problems early, solve them quickly, and execute with speed.
As we look to the future, the question we constantly ask ourselves is: how do we scale what we’re good at without losing what makes us different? Growth, for us, is not just about being bigger—it’s about being better. We want to scale in a way that creates new opportunities for our team, that allows us to bring our value to more clients, and that enables us to manage risk through diversification. But we won’t compromise our principles. Growth for the sake of growth has never been the goal. Purposeful growth is.
Our long-term vision is to transform the future of energy by delivering sustainable solutions that reshape the landscape of the industry. We want to be a force for good—positively impacting communities, contributing to a lower-carbon future, and building careers that are meaningful and fulfilling. We believe business can be a powerful platform for change, and we’re using our platform to push the industry forward.
Our ideal client is one who shares that belief. They value integrity, long-term relationships, innovation, and social responsibility. They understand that the right partner doesn’t just check boxes—they bring ideas, energy, and commitment to the table. These are the clients we’re proud to work with, and the relationships we intend to grow in the years ahead.
Fifteen years in, it feels like we’re just getting started. The industry is evolving. The challenges are bigger. The urgency is real. But we’ve never been more excited about the role Scovan can play in shaping what comes next. We’re building for the future, grounded in everything we’ve learned—and everyone we’ve grown with—along the way.
Originally published in IGNITE V10.
