HyLife opens new head office

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/09/2023 (521 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HyLife’s new global headquarters was officially opened on Aug. 24, as the company welcomed guests to their new location.

Situated just off Highway 12 in Steinbach’s Millbrook Market development, the building includes 47,462 sq. ft.

It’s a significant move for the company that had its beginnings in La Broquerie.

“We started with 4,000 sq. ft. and that building grew to 16,000 sq. ft.,” president and CEO Grant Lazaruk said.

He added that first office, built in 1998 soon proved too small, resulting in additions and the company renting space throughout the community.

The new facility is much different, not only in the size, but how it’s laid out.

It features 23,000 sq. ft. of glass, ensuring every office has a window. Even the employees who would normally be in cubicles have workstations facing the southern floor-to-ceiling glass.

The building also has a gym open to all employees, large meeting areas for coffee breaks, small groups and meetings and a spacious lunchroom adjacent to an outdoor patio near the man-made lake.

Even the stairwells have large windows to encourage employees to make the healthy choice rather than simply use an elevator.

This focus on employee wellness is no accident.

“People are the most important asset that any company has so employee wellness is very important,” Lazaruk said.

The company employs 2,800 employees across various operations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

HyLife has faced some ups and downs.

While the building, originally estimated at $18.5 million according to original building permits filed with the city was still being built, HyLife laid off 87 employees, roughly 3.5 percent of their workforce.

At that time it was blamed on industry challenges.

Lazaruk said that was an example of “right-sizing” their business, protecting it for the future for the remaining employees.

He said the investment of the new building was important, despite the challenges of the times.

“It’s an investment in people,” he said. “I think every time you invest in people, it’s going to be the right thing to do.”

Speaking to guests, Lazaruk thanked the original founders of the company, Don Janzen, Claude Vielfaure and Denis Vielfaure, saying their roots are humble.

“This building symbolizes optimism, progress, for HyLife but also for the City of Steinbach,” he said.

Provencher MP Ted Falk also thanked the founders and the Thailand based company that owns HyLife.

Charoen Pokphand Foods has had a majority ownership in HyLife since 2019.

“It was through their vision and their courage and their tenacity in building this company that we have what we have here today in HyLife,” he said of the original ownership group.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen also spoke, saying HyLife has brought new life to some of the communities they operate thanks to their use of programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program, developed by Gary Filmon’s government.

“Grant, you and your leadership team and those who came before you are leaving a legacy that will live beyond your leadership in this company,” he said.

Mayor Earl Funk congratulated HyLife, but added this could be the start for something more in Steinbach.

“On a larger scale, we anticipate the opening of this state of the art facility will influence other large businesses to move to Steinbach as well, further solidifying Steinbach as a centre for high tech agri-business opportunities.,” he said.

There was also a big impact on Manitoba’s construction industry, including those close to home.

Three Way Builders and PennLite were responsible for construction and electric/mechanical work and Cibinel Architecture oversaw the design.

Nic Thiessen, president of Three Way Builders said over two thirds of the project was completed by local tradespeople and suppliers.

The building incorporates energy efficient walls and materials and electric vehicle charging stations and includes a hydronic HVAC system.