Louis Stang’s Post

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Engineering Manager at Foremost Agriculture & Energy Equipment

Its September, and I only have a few more 75th Anniversary Posts to make before we flip into 2025. When Foremost started in Lloydminster in 1949 as Universal Industries, it was a small blacksmith and machine shop supporting the local agriculture, and oil & gas industries. At that time, Lloydminster was becoming a hub of innovation. With three refineries, the Husky Refinery (still operating today, see the picture from 1950 below), the Excelsior Refinery, the Kodiak Refinery, and the local oilfields were rapidly developing. The pioneering spirit that emerged in this region, particularly in the production of heavy oil, shaped the community and industries alike, sparking a flood of innovative ideas back by an entrepreneurial spirit. Being situated at the heart of Alberta and Saskatchewan's heavy oil production, along with a culture of innovation, gave Universal Industries the foundation to grow. Starting with repairs on plows and fabricating small oil tanks, the company embraced new opportunities. This drive to innovate transformed a small blacksmith shop into a manufacturer that now takes on projects weighing hundreds of tons. Innovation has always been part of Foremost's DNA—solidified as a core value in 2014. Today, you can see this commitment in every facet of the company: from automated processes in administration and finance, to robotic welders, advanced product design, and continuous improvements in fabrication. Looking back on 75 years of progress, it’s incredible to see how far we've come. From those early days, through decades of growth and transformation, to today—where innovation isn’t just a value, it’s our future.

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DEBORAH OYEDO

Certified Document controller | Certified Lead auditor ISO 9001, Quality lead.

2mo

This is very impressive.

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Mark Wildman

Quality Control / Welding Inspector CWB Level 2

2mo

Universal Industries was a great company to work for.

Dean Appelt

Passionate Agri-Business Professional

3mo

Well said, comfortably eloquent I must say.

Robert Patmore

Looking to learn everyday

3mo

Fine bit of writing Louis

Neil MacKay, P.Eng.

Static Equipment - Mechanical Engineer

3mo

Great post!

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