Meet George Constantinides, President of Contempora Steel Builders. George was born and raised in Winnipeg, where he attended the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in 1990. “I started working at Contempora

Steel Builders as a summer student in 1988 and 1989, then full-time immediately after graduation, first as a draftsman, then as a designer, then as an estimator, and now finally in sales – my true passion,” George says. He purchased the company in 1997 from the founding owner, Russ Edwards, who started the company in 1978. George absolutely loves what he does. “I work with a wide range of local entrepreneurs, taking the time to understand their business needs and overall vision, then taking a bare piece of land, implementing design strategy from the onset, and constructing a new building that changes the local landscape.” He continues, “I have been in the Winnipeg construction industry for 35 years, specializing in the design-build of pre-engineered steel buildings. Many of our projects are within the trucking industry, where I have met many incredible people along the way. I always look forward to attending and supporting MTA events, as it feels like I am at a family reunion with all my past clients and associates, who I’m happy to call friends.”

As design-builders, Contempora Steel Builders is fully self-sufficient with its own in-house designers, drafters, estimators, project managers, site supervisors, and most importantly, its own on-site steel building erection crews. “We also partner with competent and professional commercial building suppliers and trades with whom we have built long-standing relationships to provide our design-build services,” George says. Contempora offers both negotiated turnkey projects as well as project management solutions. “This gives us full control over every aspect of a construction project, from the client’s initial conceptual ideas to full completion and occupancy.”

When talking about MTA, and Contempora Steel Builders’ involvement with the association, George states that they have become an expert builder for the trucking and transportation industry. “It was a natural fit to partner up and support the MTA. We have designed and built for many well-known and respected local and national trucking firms in Winnipeg, such as Bison Transport, Manitoulin Trucking, Payne Trucking, Jade Transport, Ocean Trailers, Trailer Wizards, ERB Transport, Western Turbo, Freightliner Manitoba, Len Dubois Trucking, Turk Trucking, Aspen Trucking, Wrangler Truck Service to name a few, and the list goes on and on,” George says that Contempora Steel Builders has also joined the Precious Metals Program as a Titanium Sponsor to support and promote the MTA events.

George boasts that his greatest achievement is buying Contempora Steel Builders over 25 years ago and growing the company that he is so passionate about. “Every building I have built for a past customer quickly becomes a new friend.” Another great opportunity is returning to past satisfied customers to expand their facilities and grow together. George continues, “Their success is our success; nothing makes me prouder than when a past customer succeeds within the building we had designed and built for them!” But achievements often come with challenges, and like many industries, George says that the biggest challenge he faces is finding and retaining skilled labour. But how do we fix the problem? “It should start at the high school stage. We need to do a better job at the job fairs and show the younger generation that there are many opportunities within both the construction and the trucking industry.” 

His advice to someone considering a career in the trucking industry is to be open-minded. “Don’t have a narrow vision of the trucking industry; it’s more than the drivers. There are many opportunities in dispatch, logistics, accounting, finance, sales, and even mechanic services. There are many opportunities, great companies, and wonderful people to work for and with.” 

When asked what he enjoyed most about working in the transportation industry, his answer was simple – the people. “And not only the dedicated owners of the trucking firms that we build for but their employees and drivers as well. Everybody is so passionate and committed to the industry. Even competitors value, corroborate, and support each other,” George says. “I also appreciate working within the trucking industry on common charity and fundraising drives to give back to our local Winnipeg community.” 

In his free time, George can be found in the garden, travelling, or cooking his specialty ‘Greek Gyros’ on his own gyros broiler. “I also enjoy tinkering and cruising in one of my two ‘toy’ cars, a 1969 BMW2002 that I had personally rebuilt, and driving my absolute favorite all-time vehicle, a bright red 2018 Mini Cooper JCW!”