It was 10 years ago that John Furneaux and Jim Brennan set up shop as Rideau Construction in the Royal Bank Building in Bedford, Nova Scotia - and ultimately changed the construction landscape in Atlantic Canada.

As President, John knew Rideau could be a different kind of company. “Jim and I knew that we could run a construction company that was respected in the industry by suppliers, subcontractors and owners. We wanted to provide a level of service to clients never before seen in Nova Scotia.”

“From our very first project in 1993, I think it’s fair to recognize that Rideau has had a positive impact on construction in Nova Scotia,” adds Jim Brennan, past Vice-President of Rideau. “We’ve spent 10 years treating suppliers fairly, effectively raising the bar and the overall professionalism of the industry.”

From day one, Rideau was successful with steady growth and profitability. Recognized as One of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Atlantic Canada by Progress Magazine in 1997, John credits their growth to teamwork. “The secret to our success has been our team. We’ve always had a reputation for good people, which continually attracts even better people.”

There have been a lot of changes over the years. Today Rideau, in partnership with Cardinal Construction, employs approximately 100 people across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. After serving as President of Rideau for 10 years, John is turning the reins over to Jim, who will assume the position of President.

“I think everyone at Rideau should be proud of what we’ve accomplished,” reflects Brennan. “We have a great company that is poised for unlimited success, and we’ve achieved it by treating each other with respect and fairness. And on top of all that, I think everyone would agree the past 10 years has been an incredible ride.”