Digging into Soil Cycle! An In-Depth Conversation on Business Operations of a Challenging Industry

CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

Taylor is joined today by the dynamic duo of James O'Connell and Joey De Athe who run Soil Cycle, a subsidiary of Contour Group, that was established in 2020 to provide additional support to Contour’s earthworks division by delivering cost-effective services for the disposal of excess soil. Known for brilliantly transforming the landscape of soil management, our guests discuss the intriguing world of bulk excavation, soil management, and their innovative approaches to navigating the complex regulations of Ontario’s construction industry.

Delving into the crucial role of relationships and strategic business decisions in the challenging yet rewarding field of soil management, our guests share their journey from the grassroots level to becoming leaders in the industry. They emphasize the importance of integrity and transparency in their operations as they explore how recent regulations have shaped their business strategies and the innovative solutions they've implemented to stay ahead. The discussion also highlights the significance of land ownership, the complexities of acquiring permits, and the financial intricacies involved in running a soil management business. You do not want to miss this episode filled with inspiring tales of perseverance, a veritable wealth of business acumen, and valuable insights into the evolving landscape of environmental responsibility in construction.

Episode Highlights:

• The evolution of Soil Cycle
• How it has adapted to and capitalized on Ontario’s strict soil management regulations
• The challenges and rewards of establishing a trustworthy reputation among developers and builders
• Insights into the permitting process for soil management
• The importance of relationships in the construction industry
• Strategic business decisions that establish market dominance and trust
• The future of soil management, focusing on sustainability and the potential for rehabilitating land for agricultural use
• James and Joey's proactive approach to education and advocacy in improving industry standards and practices

Key Takeaways:

"We're just boots on the ground, knocking on doors, leaving no stone unturned relentlessly, and now it's just kind of all paying off.”

"Developer relationships are crucial, especially in a business where trust and reliability lead to better opportunities and fairer deals."

“It's just kind of working with what we’ve got and adapting and trying to be innovative as well.”

“We're hoping that we can get in front of the council and at least say, ‘Hey, listen, here are the new amendments. They're not going to work. Here's why they're not going to work. Let's work together.’”

“We spent a couple hundred thousand the first year just on working on permits.”

"It's not just about moving dirt; it's about moving the industry forward."

As always, thank you to our good friends over at Komatsu for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.komatsu.com/

Links:

• Taylor White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-white-9881a5170/?originalSubdomain=ca
• To see highlights from the 2023 show, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience/show-highlights
• Komatsu: https://www.komatsu.com/

Soil Cycle:

• Web - https://soilcycle.ca/
• FB - Soil Cycle Environmental
• IG - @soil.cycle @contour_groupofcompanies
• YT - @SoilCycleEnvironmental